Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

17 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a FF2 on the back of Ladder 31 for the Charlotte Fire Department. Rusty is as humble as they come. A Fireman who just wants to be good at the job and doesn’t mind going out training, working out, trying to make those around him better and attending conferences outside his department. IG: crowntown_truckie

Founder of Honor Supply Co, Well known photographer in the South/North Carolina region along with many other states that conduct Firefighter conferences/lectures. Christian, father and husband. What you might not know is that Chance was career Firefighter back in 2017. If you want to know more about Chance, Honor Supply Co & the meaning behind his photographs I implore you to go and listen to...

17 years of all career fire service experience. Currently a FF/Paramedic on Truck 202 for the Sierra Vista Fire Department in Arizona. Truth bomb, mic drops, nuggets and gems alert for the conversation Matt and I had. We didn’t even put a dent in the list of topics we wanted to talk about so I’m going to have Matt on again for a part 2. All I’m going to say is we all need to have Matt’s mindset wh...

18 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a FF/Driver for Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District in Missouri and out of state live in for Berwyn Heights Company 14 in PG County Maryland. Justin gets a taste of both worlds where on one side he’s in the thicket of a densely populated busy suburban/urban area where it’s not uncommon to run 6 potential structural boxes in a day and on...

8 years of volunteer and career experience. A Engineer on Engine 16 with Columbia Fire Department in South Carolina. If you know Josh or follow him on social media he is a huge advocate for communication and fortifying a strong culture through leadership and not by rank. The conversation Josh and I had was a delight to say the least and I truly hope others can find value with our discussions. IG:...

11 years of career experience. A backstep FF for North Port Fire/Rescue in Florida. Justin is in what he would call his second stint in within his fire service career. First and foremost he believes in a higher calling spiritually and the love for his family. What’s great about Justin’s story is his life experience and how he utilizes that within his daily life and when on shift. Justin believes F...

25 years of volunteer and career experience. A career FF/EMT for Guilford Fire Department in Connecticut who rides up as acting Officer when needed and an Assistant Chief with Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. Mike keeps in perspective during our conversation from giving members realistic training, having to do more with less, being a jack of all trades and wellness for the individual. Mike opene...

2 years of career experience. A backstep FF with the City Of Melbourne FD in Florida. Even though Zac’s young into his fire service career the individuals he looks up to, the one’s who were able to train him in recruit class, the ones he is able to work and train alongside now are one of the reasons why the fire service is in good hands. For any individual out there looking to get into the fire re...

16 years of volunteer and career experience. An Engineer with a Metro Charleston Department who currently rides an Engine. There’s nothing complex about Pat. He’s a simple guy who loves going to fires, attending outside training conferences when possible, being around like minded individuals who take the job seriously and at the end of the day wants to go home to the one’s he loves and cares for m...

8 years of career experience. A Master FF/Medic on Engine 10 with Virginia Beach fire department recently transferred to the training division. Matthew has a strong and I mean strong passion when it comes to Engine work, water mapping and the science of water application. Even though he only has 8 years on when you hear Matthew talk you’d think he’s been on the job longer than that. The discussion...

18 years of volunteer and career experience. A Captain on Ladder 301 for Summerville Fire/Rescue in South Carolina. Kevin shares an experience he had during his younger years when he thought as he describes “Being invincible” finally caught up to him. Fast forward years later as a company officer he gets a phone call that forever changed his life. Mental health is a very important topic for Kevin...

6 years of career and volunteer experience. A Lieutenant with Garden City Fire/Rescue in Georgia assigned to Engine 201. Mike comes from an array of government work that ultimately led him to finding his path into the fire service. What’s truly remarkable about Mike is his sense of humility that although he is a company officer he doesn’t put himself above the rest of the individuals he works with...

Nate Shuler- 17 years of career experience. A Lieutenant with the City Of Winder Fire Department where he is assigned on Engine 1. Bearers Of The Oath Cadre member who has formed a strong passion with everything Search. Nate was a Fireman who was afraid to get out of his comfort zone when it came to training until one day a co-worker invited him out to the MAFFC conference. After attending that on...

22 years of volunteer and career experience. A recently promoted technician on Rescue Squad 3 for the DCFD. As Eric began his career deep down he always wanted to go and work for a metropolitan size department. In 2014 he took a leap of faith and applied for a lateral transfer and was accepted thus living the dream. Eric started out on the Engine but the ultimate goal was to be assigned to one of...

20 years of career and volunteer experience. A floating Captain with Howard County Fire Rescue in Maryland. I was fortunate to be able to meet Josh at the 2024 Training Days in Greensboro a few weeks back where he presented a fantastic presentation on RIT/Mayday & being overall fit for duty. The conversation Josh and I had was very informative, insightful and should make us all think as Firefighte...

Comes from a long line of volunteer Firefighters. 4th generation Firefighter with 18 years of volunteer and career experience becoming the first Career Firefighter within his family. Currently a Lieutenant with the City of Xenia Fire Division in Ohio. Cory believes strongly in outside training, transparency within respective crews and forming a positive culture within firehouses. Although we need...

4th generation Firefighter with 19 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a Firefighter/Training Officer with the Decatur Fire Department in Texas on Squad 115. James has a huge love for being physically prepared for what the job can bring and passion for adequate training. What sets James apart from others is his willingness and openness to discuss a part of his life some would never...

19 years of public service with 8 of those being a career backstep Firefighter in the Nevada area. Jesse specializes in structural firefighting with a passion for leadership and mentorship. Jesse is also one of the owners and instructors of Hortons & Hunt which is a fire service training company specializing in progressive fire ground tactics and techniques. If his voice sounds familiar it’s b...

20 years of career experience. A senior backstep Firefighter with the Philadelphia Fire Department on Ladder 14 which is one of the busiest ladders in Philly. Jesse is a second generation Firefighter. Although he wanted nothing to do with the fire service at first he ended up following the footsteps of his father (Also a truckie)who retired with over 25 years of dedicated service. Jesse loves the...

16 years of volunteer and career experience. A Lieutenant with Harrison Township Division Of Fire in Ohio. Owner of Western Buckeye Training. Jordan is no stranger when it comes to doing more with less with the department he serves. From a young age the moment he ran his first call as a volunteer it was a wrap and Jordan knew this is what he wanted to do. From our conversation you can tell Jordan...

18 years of career and volunteer experience. A Captain with Horry County Fire Rescue in South Carolina on Squad 1 at the “Socastee” station. Creator of “The Company Officer” where Mike posts so many truth bombs and nuggets regarding anything fire service related. The only one’s who probably get offended by the posts are the ones who aren’t quite living up to the standard Michael’s preaching. What’...

Erik Vidal was one of 2 Miami-Dade Firefighters that earned the coveted title of Georgia Smoke Diver. With the various Smoke diver programs out there I wanted to conduct an episode where Erik can describe how individuals can prepare themselves physically and mentally to hopefully be successful. Erik shares various attributes one needs to take on the task. Now this is no secret formula or recipe fo...

8 years of career experience. Currently an Engineer with Cal Fire assigned to the Merced County division. Creator and owner of Change the CDF which stands for Culture, Department & Future. If you haven’t heard of Robert I implore you to please, please, please listen to his episode on John Spera’s Fit to fight fire & Corley Moore’s Weekly Scrap where he breaks down his journey of his past t...

20 years of career experience. Currently a Battalion Chief with Storey County Fire District in Virginia City, Nevada. From the moment our conversation begins Bob drops some truth bombs and nuggets for all to hear regardless of rank. What puts the icing on the cake is the fact that although Bob is a Battalion Chief his mindset and outlook towards his position is what Firefighters across the country...

13 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a Senior Firefighter/Relief Driver for a municipality in South Carolina where he is housed with an Engine/Truck & Hazmat unit. Chris is the creator for Tailboard Leadership where he is trying to promote positive morale/culture, Empowering Fire service excellence and igniting firefighter passion. If you ever seen any of his quotes or reels...