National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

JP Sokolowski is a career firefighter with the newly formed Wenatchee Valley Fire Department in Washington state. This picturesque location is now home to two departments joining forces to better serve the public. Taking two different cultures, sets of rules, guidelines and anything else you can think of and then putting them together to make something new will certainly present some challenges. F...

When you show interest and treat people right, it leaves a lasting impression on them. Brandon Strickland, a Battalion Chief with Decatur, AL remembers all to well his chance encounter he had at 8 years old with the local fire department. From that day forth, the groundwork was laid and Brandon knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Through the volunteer service as a teenager, to becoming a Youth Min...

"Go spread the fireground gospel"... LJay Geist has been a student of the fire service since his early years. Looking for more, he has traveled to conferences and made connections with complete strangers just to push himself forward in the fire service. Making the connections and forming relationships with like minded people has impacted LJay greatly. These relationships make him better and encour...

Grip and Rip!! Rob and Jeremy dive into personal accountability and how it relates to the good, the bad and the ugly of leadership. -- Email the Show!! podcast@nationalfireradio.com

20 years later and the scars of February 20, 2003 still remain present in so many lives. This is a replay episode from 2022 in which we sat down with Jason Erban at RagTop Industries and captured his story which included responding to the Station Nightclub fire 20 years ago. A moving and powerful story by someone I truly admire in the fire service. -- Today we sat down for a special interview on l...

When things get complicated... When we run with well trained firefighters day in and day out, the role of Command can become quite routine. Routine can become complacency, complacency can kill. When things get complicated is not the time to put your lackluster performance to the test. Command staff needs to be on their game each and every time they go out the door. The level of expectation that ou...

The fire department has taught Tyler Whitfield so many things other than fighting fire. Laundry, cooking and making coffee are skills he did not possess prior to the fire service. With 9 years in the fire service, 6 with Clearwater, FL, Tyler had never had to do those things prior to living in the firehouse. You just don't know what you don't know. Whether it's hooking ceilings or making a fresh p...

Small town roots run deep, very deep. Joe Palumbo, Sr. lives in Pennsauken, NJ, volunteered for Pennsauken, NJ and recently retired from Pennsauken, NJ. His love of the community lead him down the road of finding the fire service. Volunteering in 1994 was a great time to be a fireman in Pennsauken, NJ. Jobs were bountiful and the hook was instant. Joe knew firefighting was going to be his career....

Captain of Planning and Research was never really in the forward vision of Nick Papa's career. He enjoyed being an engine boss and going to fires. He enjoys the personal growth of himself and his crew when they work the fire ground. However, comfort can be a conundrum. Looking for opportunity and future growth, stepping into the role of the Captain of Planning and Research in the New Britain, CT F...

Today Rob sits down with Ithica, NY Firefighter Russell Vidler. Russ is an Army Veteran who was looking for the camaraderie and brotherhood he found serving and found it in the fire department. His natural love for fitness found him now teaching the physical fitness program of the NYS Career Recruit Academy in Montour Falls NY. We talk about fitness, PTSD between the Fire Department and Military a...

Pulling a woman from her burning home in June 2019 thrusted Danny Dwyer into the national headlines for weeks after this fire. One would think that the spotlight was for his heroics and bravery, but in fact, it was for the disciplinary charges that followed that evening. Danny became the "poster child" for the ongoing struggle between firefighters doing their job and the new "safety culture" that...

A loyal family man and the life of the party, Rich Stack is just one of those guys who you enjoy being around. His funny antics and sparkling eyes makes him stand out amongst the crowd. His passion for the job and his confidence in himself and his people make Rich a great Boss. Currently assigned as a covering Lieutenant, Rich is on his 22nd year with the Chicago Fire Department. His early days of...

After 22 years with the FDNY, Lt. Steve Gillespie needed a change of scenery. His career spanned with busy companies throughout the Bronx, the majority of his time spent with Squad 41. Finding his way to the Squad Company allowed for Steve to grow as a firefighter, mentored by some of the best firefighters he has ever met. But the position also exposed him alot of the down side of the job as well....

A trending term in the fire service, "Ate Up" accurately defines Ben Wilson. Being "Ate Up" is everything... everything about the fire service. From sun up to sundown and even in his sleep, Ben loves the job and everything that comes along with it. His high energy, infectious love for the job began riding shotgun with Dad in the Chief's Buggy at a young age. From there, every step of the process h...

Jeremy ends up on the other side of the microphone for the 24/48 Podcast.

From early in Gary Spohn's life, he can remember Gamewell Alarm Box #2641 as he walked passed it each day. This symbol of the American fire service captured his interest and attention to the point that years later, Gary has become a renowned collector of everything Gamewell. This episode breaks down some of the history, use and the passion many have for this iconic symbol of firefighting.

34 years in the fire service certainly presents many opportunities along the way. Enjoying the nostalgia, the fires and everything else that comes along with the greatest job in the world has Rusty Ricker still loving the job. But, along his journey he realized that the Brotherhood and comradery of this business is what truly fuels his passion. He is emotional when he thinks back to the memories h...

Overcoming challenges is always a baseline conversation for those that talk about leadership. Lt. Mike Nasti, a 16-year firefighter with the Prince George’s County, MD Fire/EMS Department, loves to talk about leadership and the challenges that he has faced along the way. In order to talk about it, one must walk in the shoes of those who learn from their successes and mistakes. Mike does not shy aw...