Make Due: Suburban Fireman Podcast

Season 6 is officially underway! After a long sabbatical the show is BACK! Host Nick Peppard gives an update on what's been going on since last year. He provides a run down on changes to the show as well exciting new content in the works for season 6! Buckle up, season 6 is coming at ya fast!!!

Chris Naum (Syracuse, NY) brings over 5 decades of experience to the show as both firefighter, fire officer, architect, educator, author, and public speaker. Chris joins the show to blow the lid off building construction in the modern fire service. We discuss how the lack of deeper understanding of building construction in the modern fire service has had unintended consequences at both the strateg...

Ready to elevate your Pump Operator game? Then you need to catch this episode! Chief Paul Watlington of Burlington (NC) FD is a 24-year fire service veteran, owner of Impact Fire Training, and presents regularly around the country including FDIC. In this episode Paul discusses the role of the pump operator, the importance of working driver/operators, troubleshooting, mindset, training and traits n...

Episode 65 welcomes special guest, Ljay Geist out of Garden City (KS) FD to the show. We discuss his love for engine work, his recent work with HEN nozzles and his initial impression of the HEN nozzle in interior firefighting. The second half of the episode is a deep dive into leadership specifically from the perspective of those not in formal leadership positions. Ljay lays the groundwork for hav...

Episode 64 welcomes special guest, Julio Ramos to the show to take a technical deep dive into common saws used in the fire service. Julio is an 18-year student of the trade currently serving as a Lieutenant on a squad company in a major metropolitan department in central Florida. He is owner/operator of Fireground and Special Operations, LLC and has instructed at numerous conferences across the co...

Episode 63 welcomes special guest, Todd Edwards to the show to discuss suburban strategies, tactics and training. Todd brings 43 years of experience to the table. Notably, Todd faithfully served in numerous capacities over 30+ years with the Atlanta (GA) Fire Department. He is the founder and lead instructor at Fire Life Training and has been instrumental in conducting a variety of high-quality fi...

Episode 62 welcomes our friend and brother, Aaron Zamzow to the show. Zam is a 20-year fire service veteran serving as a Lieutenant with the Madison (WI) Fire Department. He is head coach at Fire Rescue Fitness, has 30 years of experience as a fitness trainer, and holds a bachelor's degree in health and wellness. He hosts the Better Every Shift podcast, has authored numerous fire service arti...

We're Baaaaaaack! Season 5 kicks off with a dynamite episode featuring special guest, Scott Hewlett! Scott is a 26-year fire service veteran currently serving as a Training Officer in an urban fire department in southern Ontario, Canada. Scott is also founder and host of the Multiple Calls podcast. The crew takes a hard look at mindset, personal growth and mental health in the fire service. W...

Sean and Nick wrap up season 4 with special guest, Frank Viscuso. Chief Viscuso retired with the rank of Deputy Chief in New Jersey, has written numerous Fire Engineering articles, is an accomplished author of 12 books including Step Up and Lead, Common Valor and Flashpoint, was Keynote speaker at FDIC in 2022 and travels the country speaking on leadership to fire service, private sector and milit...

Nick and Sean team up with Nick Ledin and Jeff Bryant of the Fire Nuggets podcast in this EPIC crossover episode! The gang discusses training, search culture, two in/two out, what it takes to run a successful fire training event, engine operations and more.

Episode 58 is coming at you fast as we welcome special guest, Justyn Fraize to the show to get his thoughts on building a strong fire culture in the suburban fire service. Justyn is a 25-year veteran of the fire service currently serving as Captain of Squad 18 in the Colony (TX) FD. Justyn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a fireman, instructor and family man. He's on numerous in...

Sean and Nick welcome special guest, Ryan McCormick to the show to talk about what it takes to build a winning team in the fire service. Ryan is Fire Chief of Alexander (AR) Fire-Rescue and the Collegeville Volunteer Fire Department. He's founder of the First In Fire Conference and brings 25 years of both career and volunteer experience to the show. This episode takes a deep dive into why the...

This episode welcomes special guest, Danny Beauvais to the show to discuss what it truly means to be a student of our beloved craft. Danny is a fireman with the Mooresville (NC) Fire Department and founder of the Student of the Game fire podcast. Danny has been on the job for over two decades and brings a ton of knowledge, wisdom and passion to the table. This episode dives into mindset, training,...

Please join us as we welcome to the show Chief Ryan Gates of the Cayce (SC) Fire Department. Ryan is also co-founder of Soda City Training and the Truck Company Misfits podcast. This episode takes a close look at firefighting in suburbia. From strategies and tactics, to challenges faced, tips for being more effective, suburban truck culture, to command's view of the suburban fireground, this...

This episode welcomes special guest, Brandon Cory to the show to talk all things RIT. Brandon is a firefighter/paramedic with the Marquette City (MI) Fire Department, authored a chapter in the book "30 Fires You Need to Know" with Chief Billy Goldfeder and Frank Leeb, is a published author with FireRescue1.com and is part of the Build Your Culture cadre. Part I of Episode 54 dives into t...

Part 2 of Episode 54 continues with special guest, Brandon Cory. Part 2 takes a hard look at the world of RIT. We discuss everything from the history of RIT and its evolution, data and how it impacts our decision making on scene, proactive RIT functions to the philosophy of rapid intervention, RIT realities, deployment and finally realistic RIT training. This episode is packed full of practical kn...

"From the top ropes!" Sean and Nick welcome special guest, Chief Scott Thompson to the show to discuss some of the hottest issues facing today's fire service. Chief Thompson is currently the Fire Chief of the Colony (TX) FD, is author of the book "The Functional Fire Company" and was keynote speaker at FDIC 2024. This no-holds-bar, haymaker of an episode is raw, real and a...

Join Sean and Nick as we welcome special guest, Jason Hoevelmann to the show. Jason is the Fire Chief of the Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District, is author of the Fire Engineering book "The New Company Officer", was keynote speaker at FDIC 2024, sits on the FDIC advisory board, and is owner/operator of enginehousetraining.com. In this jam-packed episode the crew dives into se...

This episode takes a look at the ins and outs of rural fireground operations as we welcome to the show former Navy vet, Loveland-Symmes (OH) FD Captain, and Fayetteville FD Asst. Chief Bill Adkins to the show. Bill is also heavily involved as an author and featured contributor at Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment magazine where he has dozens of published articles. We examine the challenges fa...

We welcome Chief Dave McGlynn back to the show to discuss all things leadership related. With all the emphasis on leadership these days, there are seldom discussions had on the dark side of leadership: the sacrifice, loneliness, conflict and stressors that come with being in these roles and positions. We tend to focus on the feel-good parts of leadership, while neglecting the responsibility that c...

This episode pulls no punches as we welcome special guest and fellow Midwesterner, BJ Breecher to the show. BJ is known for his love for the job, commitment to excellence and a passion for learning and sharing knowledge with others. If you're looking to improve your operational effectiveness, BJ absolutely lays the framework for success in this episode! Grab an old fashioned, fry up some fish...

Episode 48 is coming in swinging with our special guest, Build Your Culture Co-Founder and Jacksonville (FL) Fire-Rescue fireman, Pablo Gener. This episode takes a hard look at all things culture related and its impact on our fire departments, firehouses and personal morale. If you want a warm, fuzzy, feel-good discussion, you're in the wrong place. However, if you want real, honest, authenti...

Season 4 continues with this gnarly 2-hour deep dive into the mind of special guest, Aaron Fields. This episode examines the origins and mindset behind the renowned Nozzle Forward engine class and "Drilling for Function". Buckle your seat belt. Aaron straight up drops some serious knowledge and gets to the root of instructional philosophy and discipline in the fire service. If you want t...

Season 4 kicks off with a haymaker of an episode! Jim Silvernail is Fire Chief of the Kirkwood (MO) FD, is an FDIC advisory board member and author of the book, Suburban Fire Tactics. Listen in as the chief holds court on suburban fire tactics, challenges facing the suburban fire service, tips for maximizing your personnel and finally the mindset needed to be successful on the suburban fireground!...

The crew welcomes Captain Jeremy Mathis of the Covington (GA) FD and member of the FAST Rescue Solutions to the show to talk about one of the most important concepts in not only the fire service, but also in life: BALANCE. The crew dives into keys to living a balanced life, the work/life balance as well as balance in the firehouse. We also discuss challenges in the suburban fire service setting an...