Couplings Fire Podcast

If you're on a volunteer department, chances are you are getting about 1 hour of training per week. If you're career - you're not safe either. Many crews out there only get about hour of actual, good training/week too. Do we really think this is enough to be effective in our roles? "We're busy" , "I have a family" , "I'm so tired" , "We don&#3...

I've been to a lot of conferences lately and there's one thing that keeps coming up: Man, we sometimes just suck at public speaking . The information is good, but the delivery plain old sucks. And, I get it. You're probably asking yourself now: "I'm never gonna teach a class, host a podcast, or become famous - so why should it matter to me?" or "I'm a serious fir...

The Comeback. Guys - I'm ready. It's been A WHILE. So, join me for  the first of many more episodes to come. Today, let's get into what my tips are for submitting proposals to conferences. I read tons of proposals every year getting ready for Les Lukert, so I know a lot of basic mistakes that are made, what I like to see, and some small extra things that'll give you a bit of an edge. There are som...

Join me for Car Chronicles.   Is there ever a good time to break the rules? No, I'm not talking about going rogue, but going against the basic rules of the fire service & fire suppression. I think there is. Let's dig in. **Don't take any episode - ESPECIALLY THIS ONE - out of context. What's best for your department needs to be discussed between you, your officers, and your dep...

Bill Grossnicklaus is back as he amends a statement he made in the previous episode. Here at the Couplings Fire Podcast, we value transparency and honesty - so we are happy to bring this update to you by Bill himself. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinion and does not reflec...

Alas, one more interview that was recorded last year but never ended up getting published. Well, it's about time. Bill Grossnicklaus feels like an old friend, though we've only known each other for a couple of years. If you're looking for a hands-on, into the job, tech rescue loving Nebraska fire chief - you've come to the right place. Starting at basic ropes, going into grain bins, swift water, d...

Join me for Car Chronicles.   This episode, we're getting into Saying No. Do we stretch ourselves too thin that we leave ourselves ragged and in no shape to give anyone our best? I have some thoughts.  Let's dig in. Are you like me - where when you take long drives to conferences or other destinations, your brain just... runs?  You find yourself on a topic, can't stop thinking about it...

It's time for another Fireflix & Chill.     Let's get into a TV show this time: Tacoma F.D. Join us every month or two (or whenever we want to chill) for a new installment on this series where we will pick a fire movie/show, watch it, and record our reactions & opinions to share with you all.  Do you agree with what we think?  Is there something we should have discussed, but didn&#...

Pessimism is a common thread in the first responder industry - and sometimes I get so sick of it! We have the privilege to do this job, so let's act like it. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into real & deep discussions.  Everything I say is my own opinion and does not reflect the opinions of any agency or organization I am associ...

Part 2 with Kyle Straight! This episode, we get into all things F.O.O.L.S. (Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society). What are they about, is there a chapter near you, how do you join, and even more questions will be asked and answered. Be ready for plenty of rabbit trails - Kyle and I just can't help ourselves! As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afr...

Today, I dig out an interview I recorded last summer that sadly never ended up getting published. Well, it's about time. Kyle Straight joins me to talk shop on fire life and go into some of our favorite conferences we've attended. We end the episode with a great segment of Family Firefighter Survival - going over so much, including how *not* to get divorced while going to paramedic school....

It's been a minute.... I've been gone a while and much longer than I would have ever thought, but God's been doing work in the trenches that required my full attention. Come with me on a journey through my version of Faith, Family, Fire and why I'm coming back to the podcast world. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid to get into rea...

Welp, life happens. I planned on relaunching the podcast today, but alas - it will have to wait until tomorrow. Join me then!

Ready to chase those pesky rabbits? I have the perfect guest to take us on this journey: David Pruitt. Such a great talk - we had to break it into 2 episodes! Some topics here in part 2: NFPA 1403, Does it scare you enough to train?, Disorientation & Discomfort, Fire history dive, The condition determines your position, Learn your partner's search language, How to show fire to your student...

Ready to chase those pesky rabbits? I have the perfect guest to take us on this journey: David Pruitt. Such a great talk - we had to break it into 2 episodes! Some topics here in part 1: How David got into the fire service, purposeful training, Vetting information, Fire WANTS to consume you, Completion is what matters, The fire service is hard to get into but easy to stay, How we value our firefig...

This week, Kathy Edwards & Tracy McCart join me to talk all about a little idea they had that turned into a widespread community of spouses helping spouses: Fire Wife Life. The fire life can be hard to navigate at times, and whether you are a spouse or firefighter tuning in, there are tons of nuggets to grab out of this episode to apply to your relationship. Let's dig in. Connect with Fire...

I'm in a place where I know I need to recommit to things: from the podcast to my family, church to the fire department. Getting back into the swing of things when you've been away for so long can be daunting. Sometimes all it takes are small steps every day to get back to where you were. Let's dig in. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love to talk fire and I’m not afraid...

Join me for an experiment. Before I gave birth to my son, I was curious about how hard or easy it would be to put family first when it came to the fire service: conferences to fire calls to job opportunities, and everything in between. Would my priorities flip like a switch due to hormones? Would I have the most agonizing FOMO or guilt? I wanted answers. So, I sat down and recorded my thoughts 1 w...

You know the saying: "If you do a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life." Yep - it's another one of those episodes - I have a different take on this common phrase. I say: If you do a job you love, you'll work HARDER than you ever have in your life. With that love comes drive, frustration, fulfillment, and strain. Let's dig in. As always, I don’t claim to be a...

Let's get deep. Have you ever felt an overwhelming, neverending, reckless love? The kind of love that chases you down to bring you back home - no matter how far you've stepped off the path? The fire service is top notch at going to great lengths to save Mrs. Smith, but what about our own? What about the firefighter who everyone has already written off? You know who I mean: the firefighter...

Getting back into regular episodes, this week I talk with Nick Magoteaux with Brothers Helping Brothers . We have SO MANY good discussions around his experience in a police explorer program, working dispatch, firefighting, the Brothers Helping Brothers mission, and the upcoming Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference held in Exotic Beavercreek, Ohio every October. We end the episode with our...

Happy Revenge of the 5th, everybody! Yep - that's right - I had to take advantage of all the Star Wars references with my podcast returning to its' regularly scheduled weekly episodes. Join me this week as I go over a little of how motherhood is going, some struggles adjusting to this new life, and a look at where the podcast is headed. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert, I just love...

Yep, you read the title right - I'm starting my maternity leave from the podcast early. I've been absent for a little while, due to some complications with the pregnancy. Everything's fine, but family comes first here, so that means taking a break from the "extras" of life and going to enjoy the last couple weeks of pregnancy & snuggling my newborn when he arrives. Don&#3...

Oh yes - another series is coming to the podcast!  Join me for Car Chronicles.  Are you like me - where when you take long drives to conferences or other destinations, your brain just... runs?  You find yourself on a topic, can't stop thinking about it, get completely fired up, and want to talk to someone right then?  Yeah - it happens to me a lot.  So, I introduce you to...

As first responders, we are pulled and stretched into so many directions - simply because people "need" us.  This is a building block of who we are and why many of us do the job.  But, what happens when those responsibilities pile up, eating more and more of our time, energy, and soul - to the point of damaging our lives?  Do we leave those who are relying on us hanging?  Does...