National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Jeremy sits down with Jason Cerrano of IDEX Fire and Safety to break down the story behind the SAM system and how it came to life from real fireground experience. What began as a frustrating moment during a routine fire quickly turned into a long term pursuit to improve how water is delivered and managed on the fireground. Jason walks through his background in the fire service and engineering, and...

In this episode of Mickey explores the idea that just because you carry a saw to the roof doesn’t mean you have to use it. Know where you fit in. Extending the original vent hole beats cutting random holes and pulling fire to places it doesn’t belong. This is Firefighting 101. Mickey also breaks down the sequential order of the details of the trench cut and clarifies it as a defensive mechanism wi...

Jeremy sits down with retired FDNY firefighter Tony Bonfiglio to share the story of a career built on grit, luck, and brotherhood. Tony reflects on finding the fire service out of necessity, not passion, and how that decision led him to Ladder 34 in Washington Heights during a busy and transformative era in the FDNY. He recounts his early days on the job, including his first fire, where fear and u...

In this episode, Mickey talks about why we can’t broad stroke the idea of search. We throw the word around as if it only means victims, and in doing so, we lose the basics. You’re always searching but first and foremost, you’re searching for the seat of the fire. That’s Firefighting 101. Tune in for a quick breakdown of the common sense that often gets forgotten.

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy sits down with Kevin Cowperthwait, Jack McPartland, and Bob Pressler of the Christiana Fire Company in Delaware to break down what makes a truly successful firehouse culture—and why theirs continues to stand out. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of Christiana from a traditional “come from home” volunteer department into a high-performing...

When we talk about Maydays, the conversation usually goes straight to the worst case scenario. But there is a lot to learn from the near misses too. Those moments, the ones that almost turned bad, can teach us just as much, sometimes even more. Every fire is different, and understanding the tempo of the fireground can make all the difference. In this episode, Mickey gets into the idea of aggressiv...

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy Donch sits down with Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Scott “Zig” Ziegler for a powerful and wide ranging conversation about firefighting culture, leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Ziegler reflects on his early days in Highland Park, Michigan, where he worked in a severely underfunded fire department operating out of a makeshift warehouse s...

In this episode, I break down the real-world decisions behind firefighter removal—when to package a downed firefighter and when speed takes priority. Training gives us structure, but on the fireground, those lines blur fast. We’ll talk about how to bridge the gap between textbook drills and the messy reality of getting one of our own out alive.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Peter Askey, President of Ricochet Manufacturing, for an inside look at the company’s Philadelphia facility and the mission behind designing modern firefighter PPE. Peter shares his unconventional journey—from aerospace engineering and private equity to leading a growing turnout gear manufacturer focused on protecting first responders. Ricochet began producin...

As Mickey is driving through Harlem, this quick “from the front seat” message breaks down the true definition of a taxpayer, where the term comes from, and how understanding that building type shapes what we’re actually looking for in our size-up and what it means for the fireground. It also covers the importance of getting to the rear and delivering a detailed report, confirming a true secondary...

In this episode, Mickey talks about a phrase that is often misused on today’s fireground: “making a window a door.” We should not be making every window a door. There is a distinct difference between venting for entry and rapid egress versus venting for forward progression on the fire floor and the floors above. Knowing when and why you’re venting keeps actions intentional, coordinated, and tied t...

In this episode, Mickey talks roof operations—legacy buildings versus modern construction, and why common sense still matters on the fireground. Inspection cuts aren’t there to tell you what kind of building you’re on or what your next move should be. That work should already be done through size-up, district knowledge, and experience. Once the saw starts, the decision is already made. The roof is...

KEEPING CALIFORNIA ENGINE CULTURE ALIVE- FROM THE BACK SEAT Preserving Engine Culture from the Back Seat is a fire service discussion on mentorship, leadership, and the traditions of the engine company. From the back seat of the rig, firefighters learn more than the job-they learn culture, accountability, and what it means to lead. Through shared experience and guidance, engine culture is passed d...

In this episode, Mickey tackles a critical issue plaguing the American fire service: the widespread misunderstanding between OPENING UP and OVERHAUL on the fireground. The discussion breaks down tempo, the role of modern technology, and the responsibility to stay professional while still making decisive moves. The episode also emphasizes clean margins during overhaul and offers practical, building...

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy Donch reconnects with Shimek for another candid, unscripted conversation that feels more like therapy than a traditional podcast. What begins with humor quickly turns into a meaningful discussion on leadership, mentorship, accountability, and the responsibility the fire service has to its newest members. Shimek shares his experience speaking to a new...

In this episode, the Mickey discusses the critical aspects of forcible entry in firefighting, breaking down two recent fires to emphasize the importance of understanding the theory behind techniques and the experience required to execute them effectively. The conversation explores the distinction between tempo and time, the misconceptions surrounding aggression in firefighting, and the ongoing deb...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the National Fire Radio podcast, Jeremy Donch sits down with Bo Butler for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, integrity, sacrifice, and the true cost of doing what is right. What begins as a discussion rooted in public service and firehouse culture quickly evolves into an honest examination of identity, purpose, and moral conviction. Bo But...

Jeremy sits down with retired Newburgh, New York firefighter and chief officer Tim Dexter for an unfiltered and deeply personal conversation about the realities of firefighting in an understaffed urban department. Drawing from seventeen years on the job, Tim shares firsthand insight into what happens when fire companies are browned out, staffing levels are cut, and firefighters are still expected...

Jeremy sits down with Danny Arroyo, Battalion Chief of Training with the Perth Amboy Fire Department, for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about leadership, training culture, and the evolution of the modern fire service. Danny shares his journey into the fire service, shaped by growing up in a tight-knit urban community and the impact of September 11th, which ultimately set him on a p...

Jeremy sits down with Martin Hunt, founder of Garage, to unpack one of the most pressing challenges facing the modern fire service: how departments buy, sell, and preserve life-saving assets. Martin shares the origin story of Garage; a firefighter-built marketplace designed to connect fire departments across the country and keep apparatus and equipment in service, not scrapped. What started as fir...

Jeremy sits down with Nate Rice, Division Chief of Fire Prevention with the Peoria, IL Fire Department, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, culture change, and the true impact of Community Risk Reduction (CRR). With nearly four decades in the fire service, Chief Rice shares his unexpected transition from operations to fire prevention and how embracing CRR transformed both his department an...

Tyler Whitfield returns to National Fire Radio for a powerful follow-up conversation on growth, leadership, and building high-performing fire companies. Now several years into his role as a promoted company officer with Clearwater Fire & Rescue, Tyler reflects on the transition from informal leader to officer, earning trust, and inheriting a company with a strong culture and high expectations....

In this episode, Mickey kicks things off by talking about some of his favorite episodes of 2025 before diving into the FDNY relocation policy and what it really means to operate outside your comfort zone. When you’re relocated and working with unfamiliar companies in unfamiliar buildings, the margin for error increases, and the details matter more than ever. This is a reminder to get back to basic...

In this From the Front Seat episode, Mickey breaks down why crowding the stairs kills tempo and creates confusion on the fireground. He talks about understanding your position, knowing where you fit in the operation, and why discipline in movement matters just as much as speed.

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Rob Pollack delivers a raw and honest conversation about leadership, accountability, and the evolving culture of today’s fire service. From the firehouse to the fireground, Rob breaks down what’s been lost—and what must be rebuilt—when ownership, humility, and hard conversations are avoided. The discussion explores the challenge of leading across generations...