Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Humpday Hangout: Firefighting Tactics for Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage, and Solar Energy Systems   In this "Politics and Tactics" edition of the Humpday Hangout, hosts P.J. Norwood and Frank Ricci speak with guests Chris Pfaff and Mark Haugh about the evolving challenges first responders face with the rise of lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles (EVs), and large-scale battery energy stor...

In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker, Southwest Trustee, Women in Fire, welcomes Chief Latosha Clemons, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest Park, Georgia; Deputy Chief Heather Mozdean, Fremont (CA) Fire Department; and Captain Laura Lyons, Des Moines (IA) Fire Department, to discuss how social media shapes the fire service today. They explore the benefits of platforms like...

Tactical Impact: Basement Fires Uncovered    Basement fires remain some of the most complex and dangerous incidents firefighters face. FDNY Lieutenant Dan Gordon shares frontline experience and expert analysis featured in Fire Engineering’s June 2025 issue. He breaks down the crucial challenges of identifying basement fires—emphasizing thorough size-up beyond the front door, including the “rule of...

In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, Eric Dreiman tackles some of the most persistent myths in the fire service—practices handed down through generations, but outdated by today’s building materials, synthetic fuel loads, and firefighting science. Drawing on decades of experience and recent research, Dreiman explains why saying, “we’ve always done it this way” no longer suffices. He covers everyth...

The Command Post: Leadership Lessons from Fire Service Veterans   In this episode of The Command Post, Chiefs Rick Lasky and John Salka explore what sets great leaders apart in the fire service. Drawing from decades of experience in the Fire Department of New York and beyond, they share how inspiration and motivation from strong leadership directly impact firefighters' performance and safety. They...

In this “Issues and Challenges” installment of the Humpday Hangout, Rick Lasky, John Salka, Scott Thompson, and Curtis Birt talk about mentoring in the fire service and why it’s important to have a say in our future.

Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Navigating OSHA’s Proposed Safety Standards     Fire service veteran Dave Denniston joins host Tom Merrill to revisit the ongoing discussion about OSHA’s proposed overhaul of the past fire brigade standard. This episode breaks down key challenges faced by volunteer fire departments—ranging from the impact of incorporating over 1,500 NFPA standards to concern...

In The Books: An Insider’s Guide to Mentoring Fire Officers with Lee Shapir In this episode of In the Books, veteran fire service leader Lee Shapiro shares insights from his new handbook, An Insider’s Guide to Mentoring the Fire Officer. With 40 years of front-line and command experience, including 28 years at Hartford (CT) Fire Department, Shapiro reveals why mentorship—rooted in real-life storie...

Generation Engine: Inside a High-Stakes Rescue   In this episode of Generation Engine, veteran firefighters Todd Edwards and Anthony Rowett host an in-depth conversation with Rico Bush and Joe Toomey as they recount a tense residential fire rescue. What started as a routine call quickly escalated to a working fire with confirmed entrapment, testing their training and teamwork under pressure. They...

Tailboard Talk: Accreditation, Training, and Teamwork in Action   In the latest episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders Chris Rasmussen, Craig Nelson, Jeff Wallin, and their guest explore the ongoing efforts to elevate fire departments through accreditation and joint training academies. They discuss the rigorous process of achieving and maintaining accreditation as a catalyst for continuou...

Humpday Hangout: Electric Vehicle Fires Mike Dugan, Clark Lamping, and other members of the crew will talk with Chris Soda of the Chicago (IL) Fire Department about tactics for EV fires. Key Hose is dedicated to the manufacture and delivery of the highest quality fire hose products, combining the best in raw materials with expert craftsmanship. Sponsored by Key Hose:  www.keyhose.com .  

Command Show: Insights on Command, Communication, and Fireground Innovation   In this episode of Command Show, retired Fairfax County (VA) Chief Dan Shaw shares deep insights from a massive multi-alarm fire that challenged conventional tactics and command structures. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, Shaw breaks down the evolution of incident command during complex fires, highlighting the...

Perspectives on Leadership: Lessons on Leadership, Legacy, and Life After the Fireground   In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Shaw, Jupiter (FL) Fire Rescue, sits down with retired Division Chief/Paramedic Chase Sargent (ret.), Virginia Beach (VA) Fire and Rescue, to explore the often-overlooked challenges and rewards of fire service leadership. Drawing from dec...

In this Humpday Hangout , members of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) discuss developing a training calendar for your fire department. They consider priorities and must-have drills, balancing your training, technology use, and delegating tasks.

The Training Officer: Setting the Tone for New Firefighters & Making the Unseen Dangers Real   In this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down Chris Hagan, a battalion chief from the Orion Township (MI) Fire Department, to explore the challenges of onboarding probationary firefighters and fostering a strong, professional culture from day one. Hagan shares his unique approa...

The Larry Conley Show: Faith, Family, and Firefighting   In this episode of The Larry Conley Radio Show, Larry Conley, David Conley, Kyle Taylor, and Galen Taylor take a long look at the ways faith, family, and their firefighting careers intersect with their St. Louis roots. Reflecting on growing up primarily in single-parent households, they reveal how strong mentorship, community involvement, an...

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Biometric Tracking and Real-Time Environmental Data In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan sits down with Assistant Chief John Payne, of the Bremerton (WA) Fire Department and Scott Holman, CEO of Redline Safety, to explore cutting-edge firefighter tracking technology. Moving beyond traditional emergency buttons, the conversation co...

Talkin' Tactics: Multi-Occupancy and High-Rise Fire Tactics   During the latest episode of the Talkin' Tactics podcast the hosts explore the complex world of multi-occupancy fires, focusing on garden and high-rise apartments. The hosts share firsthand accounts of challenging fires, from aggressive void-space blazes in garden apartments to intense, wind-driven high-rise infernos. They emphasize the...

Fire and Training: Leadership at the Frontline In this episode of Fire and Training, Douglas Cline sits down with Dave McGlynn to explore leadership rooted at the firehouse floor. They discuss how true leadership transcends rank, focusing on accountability, mentorship, and the critical influence of those “unofficial leaders” shaping day-to-day culture. From personal stories of veterans who inspire...

In the Books: Anthony Avillo on Fireground Strategies, Fourth Edition In this episode of In the Books, host and Fire Engineering Editor in Chief David Rodes sits down with Chief Anthony Avillo, North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire and Rescue legend and author of the bestselling Fireground Strategies. Covering over three decades of frontline experience and fire service education, Avillo shares insights...

Tactical Impact: Strategies for Short-Staffed Departments with Lt. Jake Jorgensen In this episode of Tactical Impact, hosts Jim Silvernail and Jason Hoevelmann sit down with Lieutenant Jake Jorgenson, of Watertown (SD) Fire Rescue, to discuss the realities and tactics of operating short-staffed fire departments. Watertown, a smaller city with limited personnel, faces frequent challenges responding...

Hooks and Hoses: FSRI’s Keith Stakes on Fire Dynamics, Suppression, and Ventilation Research In this revealing July episode of the Hooks & Hoses podcast, host Eric Dreiman sits down with Keith Stakes, principal research engineer at Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, and deputy chief with Bethesda-Chevy Chase (MD) Rescue Squad. Stakes shares his unique perspe...

BuildingsonFire: Rowhouse Firefighting Realities: Tactical Challenges, Command Insights, and Life-Saving Lessons   This episode of BuildingsonFire explores the evolving challenges of firefighting in rowhouses and row frames, reflecting on decades of experience and critical incidents across major U.S. cities. Veteran chiefs expose the risks posed by the aging, modified buildings that often defy con...

Women in Fire: Unique Health Challenges and Supportive Firehouse Cultures   This episode of the Women in Fire radio show covers health challenges faced by female firefighters, including heightened risks of breast, cervical, ovarian, and bladder cancers linked to fireground exposures. Panelists from fire departments across Texas, Colorado, and California share insights on the importance of gender-s...

Mayday Monday: Inside Baltimore County’s Firefighter Mayday   During this episode of Mayday Monday, Baltimore County’s Scott Ebbert, Ken Hughes, and Michael Dennis share firsthand accounts and insights from a harrowing 2023 commercial fire incident. The dialogue explores critical challenges, including delayed dispatch due to antiquated systems, the complexities of managing large battalions with mi...