Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: The Critical Role of Data, Building Intelligence, and Fire Prevention   In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, fire safety experts Jill Cotton and Jack Murphy cover a crucial yet underappreciated aspect of firefighting: leveraging data, building technology, and fire prevention strategies to save lives and property. They discuss why residential sprinkle...

The Backstep Boys: Mastering Command Decisions and Crew Resource Management   In this episode of The Backstep Boys, guests Dennis Rubin and Tom Currao join hosts Ron Kanterman and Tom Aurnhammer to dissect the complexities of fireground decision making. From battling large-scale urban fires to pioneering crew resource management, they draw from decades of frontline and leadership experience to exp...

Point of Origin: NFPA, Code Development & How to Make Your Voice Heard   In this episode of the Point of Origin podcast, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake sit down with Rob Dawson, regional director at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to demystify how fire service standards are created, updated, and consolidated. Dawson shares his journey from volunteer firefighter to NFPA leader...

n this  Humpday Hangout , guests Frank Ricci and Dave McGlynn join members of the  International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)  to talk about setting standards in fire training and how that can influence the direction of an organization.  

BuildingsonFire: The Commercial Fireground Facts Update, Part 1   Join host Christopher Naum for the latest episode of BuildingsonFire as he kicks off a new series, The Commercial Fireground Facts Update. Drawing from decades of after-action reports and key line-of-duty incidents—from the 1989 Sunrise Gift Store fire to the 2007 Charleston Sofa Superstore tragedy—this episode highlights evolving c...

Hooks & Hoses: Striking a Balance Between Safety and Realism in Live Fire Training In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman delves into the complexities of live fire training, sharing lessons from his extensive experience across acquired structures and fixed facilities. He emphasizes the critical balance between adhering to NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, a...

This  “Politics and Tactics”  edition of the Humpday Hangout explores the raw realities of wildland firefighting and the urgent push for federal recognition of occupational cancer in first responders. Gabriel Kirkpatrick Mann, filmmaker of the acclaimed documentary Hotshot, talks about his six-year journey embedding with elite hotshot crews in California’s brutal wildfires. He reveals the physical...

Women in Fire: Inside the Fire Service Promotion Process   In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker, Southwest Trustee, Women in Fire, welcomes experts from California and Colorado dissect the realities behind fire service promotions, from driver/operator to captain and beyond. Deputy Chief Heather Mozdean of the Fremont (CA) Fire Department, Lieutenant Heidi Simon of the Sout...

Talkin’ Tactics: Lessons from the Front Lines and Beyond In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Robert “RJ” James, and Sam Villani take a close look at the landscape of fire service leadership. Reflecting on James’s recent training at the Jimmy Ellis Memorial and their own careers, they explore when and why firefighters decide to pursue leadership roles. The conversation highlig...

Mayday Monday: Gas Emergencies   Mayday Monday returns with another review of gas emergencies for September. The recent release of two reports on line-of-duty death in Virginia highlights the need to ensure firefighters are getting the message about practicing good risk management principles when responding to gas emergencies. This month, several firefighter deaths have occurred at these incidents...

In The Books: Water Thievery: Mastering Advanced Fire Service Water Supply and Pump Operations   Veteran firefighter and instructor Andy Soccodato shares his journey from being a teenage volunteer in New Jersey to becoming a key educator at the Tennessee State Fire Academy. Drawing on nearly two decades of hands-on experience, Soccodato reveals the often-overlooked nuances of water supply tactics,...

Generation Engine: Why Firefighters Commit to Growth Beyond the Station Recorded live at the First In Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, this episode captures the diverse perspectives of firefighters, from new volunteers to seasoned chiefs. Listeners will learn what drives firefighters to attend training away from home. Through honest conversations, these public servants share their motivations:...

Tailboard Talk: Code of Conduct, Financial Integrity, and Modern Accountability   In this episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders Jeff Wallin, Craig Nelson, Chris Rasmussen, and guest Eric Rosoff discuss the pressing issues shaping today’s fire departments. From the critical impact of workplace code-of-conduct violations on careers to the surprising prevalence of financial misconduct invol...

The Command Post: Navigating Certification Challenges and Career Transitions in the Fire Service   In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka take a close look at the complexities of firefighter certification across the United States. Drawing on decades of experience—from Illinois and New York to Texas and Florida—they expose the frustrating patchwork of state standards t...

The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service   In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Rick Lasky and John Salka to discuss the enduring strength and value of volunteer firefighters. Despite ongoing challenges and negativity, volunteer fire departments remain a vital part of the firefighting comm...

Fireground Strategies: Remembering 9/11 and Recognizing Dominoes on the Fireground   In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11 by honoring the heroes and victims—firefighters, police, and everyday citizens—who stood strong during one of the darkest days in U.S. history. They explore the ongoing physical and emotional toll on resp...

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Grit, and the Fire Service Future with Chief Kris Blume   In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down with Kris Blume, Chief of Meridian (ID) Fire Department, and author of Carry the Fire. They explore the challenges and opportunities within today’s fire service—from cultivating grit and determination to building mission-driven,...

Fire Service Court: Navigating Fire Department Contracts   In this episode of Fire Service Court, Brad Pinsky, John Murphy and Chip Comstock unpack the complexities of fire department contracts. They delve into critical contract components often overlooked, such as clearly defining fire protection services—from basic firefighting to specialized rescues and EMS—and setting realistic performance exp...

Humpday Hangout: Water Supply and Delivery In this episode, guest Ed Collet joins the team to discuss water supply and delivery concerns. Also, host Mike Dugan pays tribute to the fallen of 9/11 and those who continue to suffer and die from the response to the attacks. Key Hose is dedicated to the manufacture and delivery of the highest quality fire hose products, combining the best in raw materia...

Point of Origin: Navigating Generational Shifts and Mentorship   In this inaugural episode of the Point of Origin podcast, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake, joined by Firefighter Nation’s managing editor Stephanie White, unpack the evolving challenges within the fire service. They explore how generational gaps affect leadership, training, and team cohesion, emphasizing the need for chiefs to unders...

Command Show: Frank Ricci on Politics, Leadership, and the Mayday Mugging   In this episode of Command Show, fire service expert Frank Ricci joins hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush to explore the intersection of fireground command, politics, and labor relations. Ricci, a seasoned battalion chief and labor leader who won the landmark Supreme Court case Ricci v. DeStefano (2009), shares his uniq...

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Real-Time Deployment Optimization   In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan takes a close-up look at the ways real-time deployment optimization is reshaping fire service operations. Joined by Jamie Timm, a public safety software expert with 15 years’ experience, and Captain Jason Heartisan of the Prescott (AZ) Fire Department, they e...

The Training Officer: A Firefighter’s Journey Through Mental Health and Healing   In this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down with Brandon Corey, who shares his raw and personal journey dealing with the mental and emotional aftermath of losing a brother in the line of duty. Corey explores the unseen wounds firefighters carry, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health t...

The Larry Conley Show: Inside Haigh Solutions’ Approach to Sustainable Success    During the latest episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with Craig Haigh and Beth Haigh, of Haigh Solutions, to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing today’s fire service leadership. They explore the critical gap in developing chief executive skills beyond firefighting, the importance...

In this episode of Buildings on Fire, host Christopher Naum reviews critical lessons from recent and historical Baltimore row house fires that resulted in multiple line-of-duty deaths. Through a detailed review of construction features, fire dynamics, and operational challenges specific to vintage and modern row house buildings, Naum highlights the complexity behind seemingly straightforward incid...