The Anchor Point Podcast

Jack of all trades and masters of... Well, a lot! That's the Prevention job description for ya! This episode is all about the prevention life. A unique position in the fire realm, very versatile, and always changing... Thats why we have Ryan (a Prevention on the Coconino) and Ricky (a Prevention on the Angeles) on the show to talk about one of best kept secrets in fire! Stay safe, stay savage and...

Jason Patton is a 14 year veteran of the structure firefighting world, and an actively working FFT/Paramedic in Florida. Aside from his service in fire, he is also the creator of the hilarious firefighter content with Fire Department Chronicles! Jason is one of those dudes that always has a well timed laugh when folks need it. He says, "I started making videos as an outlet for the stress that I wa...

Greg Jones is a Canadian Smokejumper, world traveler, and winner of one of The Smokey Generation grants for his photography work in the world of wildland fire... Today on the show we talk about his experience as a Smokejumper and how his connections in the community have opened up opportunities to train South African wildland firefighters, and get to be embedded into a counter poaching unit in Sou...

We all want a leg up on the competition, especially if you are trying to get your foot in the door with wildland fire. Thats why we have folks like former Kings River IHC Captain, Adam Hernandez, on the show to help! Adam Hernandez is the Wildland Fire Technology Instructor at Reedley College located in Central California near the foothills of the Central Sierras. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Libe...

Today on the show, Heather from Outdoor Careers LLC swings by to chat about hiring season, resumes, applications, and some overall general guidance to up your chances for getting picked up for that dream job... Hiring season is upon us! Heather is a former US Forest Service employee with over 10 years experience on various wildland fire modules, such as hand crews, type 3, 4, and 6 engine modules,...

Today on the show, one of the admins from the Worst Responders swings by to talk about career development, wildland and municipal firefighting, and all of the opportunities that are available out there to further your career... (especially you Veterans with medical training) This admin (who's identity is concealed) of the Worst Responders is a former wildland firefighter, GWOT Veteran, and now a s...

Dr. Kathleen Navarro is a research industrial hygienist at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Her research focuses on characterizing firefighter’s exposure to chemicals from smoke, understand pathways of exposures, and developing practices to reduce exposure. Previously, she worked for the US Forest Service and conducted research quantifying exposure to smoke for the...

Getting your Type 1 status takes some heavy lifting, especially with COVID interfering! Today on the show, we talk about the Type 2IA life, the steps needed to go for the Type 1 certification, and the different advantages of being on a T2IA crew! Trevor Larimer is on the Palouse Handcrew in Idaho - He started out on a fire use module after being on a volunteer department for a few years... After t...

Sam Pearcy is an AFMO out of Central Oregon who managed to take his two passions: Wildland firefighting and fishing, put them together, and create one of the largest fundraising events for The Wildland Firefighter Foundation... The Rip-N-Lips Invitational is a fishing tournament and charity auction event with activities for the whole family.  It was started in 2010 by Sam and Katie Pearcy.  As a w...

I think we have a winner for all time top score of rank for the show, hahaha! Josh Simmons stops by to talk about policy, the national direction of the fire program, and coming from the FFT2 all the way up the chain of command to working at NIFC... Josh Simmons currently serves as the Director of Wildland Fire Operations for the BIA, Branch of Wildland Fire Management in Boise, Idaho at the Nation...

Today on the show, we talk about becoming a fitness leader in your organization and some of the things we need to address when it comes to wildland firefighter fitness and health! Chris Ruano is on a mission to help equip Fire Service Athletes and their Leadership with a year-round and long-term approach to optimal firefighter fitness. As a former Texas Canyon Hotshot and currently leading wildlan...

Scott Nutt, the type one superintendent of Northern Colorado Helitack, stops by to talk about making better HECMs, building better efficiency, effective communications, and safety while working around helicopters... Scott is a well experienced leader of helitack crews, so take what he says as great advice for you up-and-comers looking to get better with dealing with aviation assets... Whether you...

Former Mt. Taylor Hotshot and current Craig Hotshot Senior Firefighter, Chase Dixon, stops by to talk about the "Hotshot life"... We cover quite a few topics on todays episode, such as; fitness, crew cohesion, training, setting yourself up for success, and having a back up plan in case you get injured or want to pursue something else... Chase is a solid dude, and is more than willing to answer any...

Today on the show, Dr. Mynda Ohs stops by today to talk about taking care of your headspace during fire season. This season is a little different... We didn't really get the opportunity to "decompress" from last season, we have to deal with the additional complexities of COVID, and all of the stressors that come with a "normal" fire season. Good news is - We have some tools to put in our toolbox t...

Former Ely hoodrat turned AFMO, Branden Sultemeier, stops by to talk about firefighting in the South! Region 8 is an often overlooked region when it comes to fighting fire. Truth of the matter is that its a lesser known and hidden gem for wildland firefighting! Branden Sultemeier is out of the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. He's been in fire pretty much all of his life - starting when he...

Today on the show, we talk about some of the important lessons learned in fire, how to learn from your mistakes, overcoming adversity, the retention issues that are plaguing multiple agencies, and some of the harsh realities that you may encounter in fire... Russell started his career back in 2001 on the Yosemite NPS. After 20 years of fire, he's made it all the way back to where he started - This...

Avid Tiger King fan and former Hotshot, J.J. Rue stops by to have a conversation about hiring, firefighting culture, leadership, and a little fire philosophy... J.J. works for the USFS, Magdalena District in New Mexico - he's had a ton of experience as a Hotshot and he worked his way up to AFMO on the Magdalena... He's got an interesting perspective on fire, and he's one hell of a leader... Here i...

Lets show our contractor counterparts some love! Today on the show, Josh Hiller stops by and drops some knowledge bombs about the world of contract fire suppression... Josh is the emergency services coordinator with Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression Incorporated, a private contractor outfit located in Chico, California... Firestorm not only provides fire suppression services, but they also think...

Tell your friends, tell your rookies, tell your crew - JK Boots is back on the show and better than ever! Will and Tim Khadzi are on the show today to talk about everything regarding boots... Everything from construction, maintenance, care, materials, and most importantly; BREAKING THEM IN!!!! I particularly love these guys and this company because they are excellent in quality, made of the best a...

Former Ukonom Hotshot turned Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Anthony Harrell stops by to talk about preseason fitness, quarantine mental health, and staying somewhat sane during COVID-19... Dr. Harrell has a physical therapy practice based in California and graduated from the University of California, San Francisco - During his time there he studied the effects of cross training on injury risk redu...

North American Rescue is a premier provider of trauma equipment and training in the United States. They have some of the best training and trauma equipment in the game, and they pride themselves on utilizing only evidence based medicine. Today on the show, Chris Hoyne stops by to tell us about some of the things NAR is all about! Here is a little about Chris: "Chris Hoyne is currently the Director...

Yes, his last name is actually "Booze"! Micah Booze is a Wildland Firefighter who resides in AK... His endeavors have taken him around the United States and he's had the opportunity to make some badass contacts. He is all about the power of networking and "thinking outside the box" to help spread ideas and get things done... He is also all about being better stewards of the land, and actually prac...

Today's episode is an thought exercise where we bring up the discussion of what we can do better on the topic of overall fitness, health, and wellness. We often get caught up in the status quo when it comes to approaching firefighter fitness, health, and wellness - and in its in my humble opinion that it needs to be addressed and improved... Thats why we have today's episode with Fernando Montes,...

Mike McManus is an Assistant Fire Warden with the Idaho Department of Lands. He began his wildland career in 2008 and following the completion of his second season underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor. He returned to the wildland arena in 2012 after grinding through a year’s worth of rehab and missing a season. Mike's career has seen him fill the role of engine captain, squad boss, crew boss...

Come join Clay Hess for a water filter build for communities affected by disaster or that do not have access to clean water! These filters will provide clean, safe drinking water for 10 people for 10 years! This is an awesome opportunity to give back and pay it forward, here's the details: Cheyanne Filter Build Event with Wine To Water: March 21st from 6 to 9pm 710 South Lions Park Drive, Cheyenne...