Nicholas Higgins

The 5-Tool Firefighter

Welcome to the 5-Tool Firefighter Podcast where we discuss how to become a well-rounded firefighter and a well-rounded individual. You'll learn from many professionals in and out of the fire service.

Author

Nicholas Higgins

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.thefirehousetribune.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

The Responder Mindset - Episode 81 19.09.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses why it is important to be prepared for each call first responders are called to regardless of the initial dispatch. Nick further goes into details on why it is critical to have a prepared mindset when in route to incidents. Performance is a direct impact of how you prepare both physically and mentally prior to and during any incident. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Wake Up Healthy - Episode 80 12.09.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses the importance of waking up healthy and steps to take to wake up and have a healthy day thus prepares us for proactive performance on and off the fireground. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-workbook⁠⁠...

Student of the Game w/Danny Beauvais - Episode 79 05.09.2023

On this episode, Nick sits down with Firefighter Danny Beauvais to discuss his podcast, "Student of the Game Fire Podcast" along with how he got his start in the fire service. Nick and Danny also discuss why it is important to continually be a student of the fire service and their love for the job. Listen to Danny here: Student Of The Game Fire Podcast | Podcast on Spotify The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Friday Mindset 52 - Focus on Yourself 01.09.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-fi...

Friday Mindset 51 - Accept Failure 25.08.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firef...

No Participation Trophies - The After-Action Review - Episode 78 22.08.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses the danger of the participation trophy in the fire service and how the post-incident size-up (after-action review) is needed and critical to developing success, well-rounded firefighters and crews. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5...

The Six Tips to Guiding the New Fire Officer w/Chief Tom Marchiano - Episode 77 14.08.2023

On this episode Nick sits down with Chief Tom Marchiano of Chester FD in NY and the lead contributor of The Firehouse Tribune as well as Nick's co-host on their podcast "Station Talk". Nick and Tom discuss Tom's six tips to guiding the new fire officer and how he developed this guide to help firefighters and fire officers alike. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter...

S.T.A.R. Method - Episode 76 07.08.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses the S.T.A.R. Method in developing yourself and in your role as a firefighter on scene and in the firehouse. This method was developed as a process of discussing work responsibilities in an interview process, however Nick turned the tables to discuss why and how this is a great method in developing critical thinking skills as firefighters. How to Use the STAR Method...

Friday Mindset 50 - Ride the Wave 04.08.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefigh...

Reasonable Expectations - Episode 75 31.07.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses "reasonable expectations" - what that means and how it impacts you, your career and growth in the fire service. Nick also stories and examples on how "reasonable expectations" change over time as you grow with highlighting the growth mindset. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Friday Mindset 49 28.07.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter...

Attacking Window Bars - Episode 74 24.07.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses the dangers of window bars and shares tips in attacking and removing them utilizing the set of irons or other hand tools. Nick also shares how window bars affect and potentially impede progress on the fire ground, hence raising the issue of identifying these dangers long before the call ever takes place - in preplanning. Window Bars & the Set of Irons — The Fire...

Friday Mindset 48 21.07.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-ta...

The Mind-Body Connection - Episode 73 17.07.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses the benefits and importance of your mindset to be successful on and off the fire ground along with how the mind-body connection plays an integral role in becoming a well-rounded 5-Tool Firefighter and optimal human. This episode is based on a portion of the 5-Tool Firefighter Book and Tactical Workbook - "Fit for Duty". ⁠Benefits of the Kettlebell Swing —...

Friday Mindset 47 14.07.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tacti...

Benefits of the Kettlebell Swing - Episode 72 12.07.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses the benefits of the Kettlebell Swing exercise. How it helps strengthen and condition the body and how it transfers to fire ground tactics. This episode is based on a portion of the 5-Tool Firefighter Book and Tactical Workbook - "Fit for Duty". Benefits of the Kettlebell Swing — The Firehouse Tribune The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback...

Friday Mindset 46 - Clean Your Side of the Street 01.07.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical...

You Are What You Eat - Episode 71 26.06.2023

On this episode Nick, discusses the importance of a nutrition for firefighters and why it is important to base your daily nutritional intake around nutrient dense foods and proper hydration. This episode is based on a portion of the 5-Tool Firefighter Book and Tactical Workbook - "Fit for Duty". The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠...

Friday Mindset 45 - The Pain of Discipline 24.06.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical...

Training Your Replacements - Episode 70 21.06.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses the benefits and importance of training your replacements as leaders, what it truly means and how to begin doing so. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-workbook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Tactical Workbook...

Friday Mindset 44 - Listen More Talk Less 16.06.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-wo...

The Benefits of Massage Therapy - Episode 69 13.06.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses the benefits and importance of massage therapy, how to incorporate into your health and wellness and different ways for at-home massage therapy. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-workbook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefi...

Friday Mindset 43 - Doubt Our Success 09.06.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-workb...

Position Don't Park - Episode 68 05.06.2023

On this episode, Nick discusses the importance of POSITIONING the apparatus on every scene and WHY it is important to understand the roles of all responding apparatus on an incident in order to position your apparatus for the best tactical advantage on every incident. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.co...

Friday Mindset 42 - Network for Success 03.06.2023

The Friday Mindset is a very quick weekly episode where Nick presents motivation and inspiration to accomplish your goals and mentality prepare for the goals in life - in and out of the fire service and being a first responder. The Book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5-Tool Firefighter Paperback — The Firehouse Tribune⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thefirehousetribune.com/shop/the-5-tool-firefighter-tactical-workbook...

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