The Cool Fireman Podcast

In this two-man show, Matt and Brian dive deep into firehouse pride , station maintenance, and how blue-collar skills and project work have changed in the fire service over the years. 🛠️ This Week’s Topics Include: Why today’s firefighters don’t fix stuff like they used to (and should they?) The value of trades in the firehouse—and why painting a wall matters Old-school camaraderie vs. modern-day...

This week, the boys are hot, humid, and hilariously unfiltered. Brian, Doug, and Unkie talk sweat in places God didn’t intend and why the kitchen table is the sacred place in the firehouse for solving problems (and sharing a little too much). They also get real about peer support, HR misunderstandings of firefighter humor, and remembering the late Corey Orrell with a moment of silence. Here’s what...

Welcome back to The Cool Fireman Podcast ! In this episode, Freddie makes his glorious return to the mic—and it’s pure gold from the jump. ✅ What’s Inside This Episode: 👨‍🚒 Freddie’s Return • The crew celebrates Freddie’s comeback (with very gentle Canadian detention jokes) • The usual banter—gray mustache tips, PB&J wisdom, and why Unkie’s Seasoning is the gift for every firehouse cook 🔥...

🔥 Welcome to The Cool Fireman Podcast – Episode 113 (Even if Doug Thinks It’s 109)! 🔥 This week’s episode is packed with real firefighter stories , firehouse humor , and critical fireground safety talk . Whether you’re on shift, off-duty, or just love fire service culture , tune in for a wild ride: ✅ Doug’s Backwoods Adventures Tractor life in straw hats and Farmer Fran overalls Why everyone th...

Special Guest: 🎙️ Chief Darick Fisher – Navy veteran, retired DOD Fire Chief, small business owner, and published author In This Episode: The guys sit down with long-time friend and mentor Darick Fisher to talk about: 🔥 His journey from Navy engineer to DOD firefighter and fire chief 🧠 What retirement really looks like (“I’m just as busy now, I just don’t punch a clock!”) 💬 Why leadership is ab...

🎙️ Hosts: Matt, Doug, Unkie, and Brian 📅 Episode Drop: Friday, July 20th In this lively episode, the crew is back with full firehouse chaos — and that means turkey calls, wizard hats, and a little metric system drama. Highlights include: 🦃 Doug just can’t help himself and drops another turkey call. Natural talent or firehouse curse? You decide. 🎩 Unkie shows off his 100oz Taylor’s Tins mug... o...

This week’s episode is unlike any other. We pause the usual firehouse banter and storytelling to honor and reflect on the life of someone who truly embodied what it meant to be a “Cool Fireman.” Jay Lyons—known to many as @he_fights_fire on TikTok—was more than a content creator. He was a passionate firefighter, a devoted father, a loving partner, and a brother to so many in the fire service. Trag...

🚨 Complacency Is Creeping In... 🚨 Have we convinced ourselves that nothing big can happen again? That regulations alone will save us? 🔥 This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian questions the mindset that's settling into the fire service—and we bring the perspective of someone who lived the worst-case scenario. 🎙️ Chief Deral Raynor , Incident Commander during the West Pharmaceuticals e...

📦 Sponsored by: Unkie Seasoning — Use code DAD25 for Father's Day! In this episode, the crew gets off to a classic, chaotic start as Doug unboxes his latest FD Collectors Club coin live on the show. They dive deep into everything from coin girth to grocery store fire lane etiquette — yep, it gets heated. The gang debates whether fire trucks should park in the red while shopping and reacts to...

In this week’s episode, Matt, Doug, and Unkie get real about burnout, passion, and what it means to stay motivated in the fire service—especially after decades on the job. Doug’s allergies are flaring up, Adam’s pulling full-time dad duty, and Matt’s stuck in a hotel… but the mics are on and the conversation is solid. The crew checks in on themselves and each other, digging into the leadership tra...

This week, Matt, Doug, and Unkie are back behind the mics — sweating it out in a closet, talking dryers that don’t work, how many horses is too many, and why the 48/96 schedule might be the greatest fire department hack of all time. 👨‍🚒 We break down shift schedules and how they impact family life, mental health, and relationships. Matt raves about his new 48/96 gig, Doug explains the reality of...

What happens when your dream tool gets cut from the budget? The guys talk fire department finances, backup plans, and hovercraft rejections . Brian breaks down the budget process, Unkie explains how credit cards vanished from his department, and Doug? Well… he’s still trying to get cowboy hats approved because that mustache deserves a brim . 🤠🔥 Plus: 🥩 Unkie’s BBQ brand cracks the Top 10% 🐎 Do...

From kitchen fires to candle mishaps, from firehouse kitchen tables to national fire code debates—we’re hitting it all in this one. Brian, aka East Coast Lincoln , opens the show with heartfelt honesty and a long-overdue moment of silence. The crew dives deep into the real-life value of public education in the fire service, how fire inspections aren’t just for the public—but for firefighter safety...

The boys are back with Burn Box Tom, and it’s safe to say the chaos has never been more fun. From Tom’s Buzz Lightyear headset to tales of FDIC madness, we’re talking booths, mustaches, and the mysterious art of cutting a hole in a Burn Box (yep, that joke gets made). We dive into what it’s like to sling firefighter-owned gear at the Super Bowl of conferences, how Tom’s Build-Your-Own Box was a ga...

Fresh off Episode 100, the crew is back in action—and it’s a fed fire kind of night. Matt, Unkie, and special guest Nick Hammond (aka @fireman1231) break down the wild world of federal fire service—what it’s like to get hired, how operations differ from city departments, and the perks of repping stars and stripes on the job. Doug and Nick bring the laughs with stories of burned rice, busted fire a...

Big City Doug and Big Body Brian are coming to you almost live from FDIC in Indianapolis! It’s the first time they’ve recorded in-person together, and they’re bringing the laughs, the lessons, and a whole lotta love for the fire service. In this special episode:🔥 We reflect on the first days at FDIC—massive booths, gear galore, hovercrafts (yes, really), and fire family from all over the world 🔥...

We made it to triple digits, folks! 💯 In this special 100th episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , the crew reflects on the wild ride of the last two and a half years — from chaotic pre-shows and unforgettable guests to real firehouse laughs, emotional stories, and everything in between. We highlight some of our favorite moments: 🔥 Chief Ronnie Hayes (Ep. 78) opening up about line of duty deaths...

In this special episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , the crew pivots from their planned Episode 100 (don’t worry, it’s coming soon!) to dive into the world of fire conferences . From FDIC to SAFRE and everything in between , we’re breaking down: 🚒 What’s the deal with fire conferences? Why you NEED to attend at least one in your career. How conferences help firefighters learn, grow, and network....

In this episode, we dive into a conversation that every firefighter needs to hear. We’re joined by Stephanie White —firefighter, writer, podcaster, and managing editor at Firefighter Nation—to talk about ADHD in the fire service and how it impacts everything from daily tasks to mental health, addiction, and even suicide risk. 🚨 Topics We Cover: Why so many firefighters thrive under pressure but s...

🔥 "Fires first, everything else second." 🔥 This week, we welcome Jeremy Donch , founder of National Fire Radio , to the kitchen table! Jeremy is an advocate for the fire service, leadership development, and preserving the traditions of firemanship while adapting to the future. With 30 years in the fire service , he shares his unfiltered thoughts on leadership, firehouse culture, and st...

In this episode, Matt, Freddy, Doug, and Unkie dive into a topic that every firefighter and first responder can relate to: work-life balance. Balancing Shift Work & Family Life – The unique challenges of a firefighter’s schedule and how it impacts time with loved ones. The Evolution of Side Jobs – Then vs. now: why firefighters used to have trade jobs versus today’s modern side hustles like co...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Doug, and Unkie dive into the unwritten rules (and written ones) that shape life in the firehouse. From popcorn machines (allowed or outlawed?) to station pride logos and uniformity debates , we tackle the battle between tradition, compromise, and common sense. 👀 Do you have a policy in the book with your name on it? We talk about habitua...

When Battalion Chief Rick Grassel first saw six Teslas charging at a station, one thought hit him— what would I do if those were on fire? And the answer? He didn't know. That realization launched a deep dive into electric vehicle (EV) fire response, battery dangers, and the evolving challenges firefighters face on the frontline. In this episode, Matt, Doug, Brian, and Unkie sit down with Chief...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , we sit down with Tonya Herbert from Thin Red Line Decon to talk about something every firefighter should be thinking about— decontamination. 🚿🔥 We dive into the dangers of toxic exposure , how to get PFAS out of your gear , and the real impact of PAHs after a fire. Tonya even breaks down which fireground position had the highest contamination reading...

There’s no assigned seating in the firehouse… but let’s be real, we all know there is. 🚒👀 In this episode, Matt, Brian, Freddy, Unkie, and Doug dive into the unspoken rules of the firehouse, from the kitchen table hierarchy to recliner battles and even the sleeping arrangements that can make or break your shift. We break down: 🔥 The deep-rooted respect and tradition behind where you sit. 🔥 The...