The Cool Fireman Podcast

🎙️ The Cool Fireman Podcast: Featuring Lieutenant Nathan Helten of Handy Hook 🔥 In this episode, the crew welcomes Lieutenant Nathan Helten , creator of the Handy Hook , to talk about his incredible journey in the fire service and how he designed an innovative tool to make firefighters' lives easier. From rural beginnings in Kansas to founding a game-changing product, Nathan shares his passio...

In this powerful episode, we welcome back Kenny Mitchell from Operation Yellow Tape to dive deep into the challenges of firefighter mental health, the stigma of silence, and how we can build better support systems. 🔥 Highlights from the episode: Kenny’s candid thoughts on why he’s tired of hearing, “Rest easy, gone too soon.” The importance of accountability and recognizing your own behaviors bef...

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, we’re joined by the one and only Salty Paramedic – now revealed as Cody! 🎉 🔥 Cody’s hilarious stories, including the time he came up with his best idea… on the toilet. 💡 🔥 The behind-the-scenes scoop on his viral social media journey. 🔥 The real story behind Limp Hoses, his new card game for first responders. 🔥 A heartfelt look at mental health in the f...

The Cool Fireman Podcast is back with Episode 89, and this one’s all about safety, accountability, and keeping your crew out of harm’s way. 🚒🔥 In this episode, Brian, Matt, Freddy, Doug, and Unkie tackle a wide range of topics, including: Brian’s question: Are we more distracted in the apparatus than ever before? How does technology help—or hinder—our safety on the road? Freddy’s story: A high-p...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Brian, Matt, Unkie, and Freddy dive into all things New Year! It’s January 3rd, and we’re reflecting on 2025 with one big idea: choosing a single word to guide us through the year. 💡 From accountability to resilience, we’re picking the words that will define our actions, goals, and mindset for the year ahead. Now, we want to hear from YOU! 🔥 Call to A...

In this special episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian is on location at SAFRE talking about the brand-new Civic Federal Credit Union branch in Wilmington, North Carolina, joined by Chris Temple from Civic. Brian and Chris dive deep into financial freedom tailored for firefighters, covering everything from personal financial stability to supporting small businesses and fostering community thr...

In this festive episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Doug, and Freddy bring the holiday cheer straight to your firehouse kitchen table! 🚒✨ From the Nature Boy Doug's iconic "Wooo!" to airing grievances Festivus-style, we dive into everything from holiday traditions in the fire service to those naughty and nice moments of the year. Freddy keeps it real with some classic firehouse pe...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Freddy, and Doug break down how each of their departments handles EMS deployment . From the number of medics required to the unique protocols and strategies, they highlight the differences that make each system work—and the challenges that come with them. 💡 Whether you’re running single medic responses or full EMS teams, this episode offe...

🚒 Welcome to The Cool Fireman Podcast! Join Matt, Adam, Brian, Doug, and Freddy as they gather around the virtual firehouse kitchen table to tackle the big topics shaping today’s fire service. In this episode, the crew takes on change —how it’s managed, communicated, and received in fire departments across the nation. Key Highlights: 📝 Leadership Lessons: Discussing a retired chief’s perspective...

In this special episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian sits down with Russell Davis from West Broad Apparel to discuss the importance of supporting firefighter-owned businesses. Together, they dive into how these businesses help maintain traditions in the fire station while fostering a strong sense of community and brotherhood. From custom designs to honoring the values of the fire service, t...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Freddy, and Doug dive into one of the most important spaces in the firehouse—the kitchen table. From the topics that bond our crews to the occasional tough conversations, we explore what makes this space so special. Plus, we tackle the question: Should chiefs sit down and break bread with the crew? Spoiler alert: our answer is a resounding YES! T...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Adam, and Freddy break down the essentials of what makes a good rookie. From attitude and work ethic to learning the ropes and respecting the team, we’re talking about the traits and actions that set the best rookies apart. If you’re new to the fire service or just want a refresher on what it means to be a solid teammate from day one, this...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Adam, Doug, and Freddy dive into the classic debate: leather helmets . Are they worth the investment, or are they just a nod to tradition? The crew breaks down the pros and cons, from durability and protection to the pride that comes with wearing one. Tune in to hear our take on whether leather helmets are more than just a symbol of the fi...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Adam, and Freddy dive into the essentials of resource allocation and fire pre-planning . From effectively managing limited resources on the scene to creating thorough pre-plans that can make or break an operation, the crew shares insights and real-life experiences that highlight the importance of preparation and strategy in firefighting. T...

In Episode 79 of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian, Adam, and Matt tackle a fun and curious question: "Why are fire engines red?" The crew dives into the history and theories behind the iconic color choice for fire trucks, exploring everything from tradition to visibility. But that’s not all! The guys also chat about Slot Dog , a grilling gadget that’s taken the firehouse by storm. With plenty of l...

In Episode 78 of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian, Matt, and Unkie take the show on the road for a live podcast in Leland, North Carolina, where they sit down with the Fire Chief of the Leland Fire Department. In this special episode, the crew discusses the critical topic of firefighter death benefits, highlighting the importance of providing support to the families of fallen firefighters. The con...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Doug, and Freddy take a deep dive into the response efforts surrounding Hurricane Helene and discuss how USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) teams mobilize across the nation when disaster strikes. From deployment strategies to the unique challenges of hurricane response, the crew shares insights into what it takes to prepare, respond, and recov...

In this special episode, we’re joined by Maria Bostian , the NFPA Instructor of the Year ! 🎉 Matt and Brian sit down with Maria to dive into a crucial topic in the fire service: Community Risk Reduction (CRR) . 🔥 Maria shares her insights on what CRR really means, why it’s essential for fire departments, and how agencies can implement effective strategies to protect their communities. From publi...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Doug, Brian, and Freddy dive into the world of promotions within the fire service . From preparing for the test to navigating the interview process, they share their own experiences, tips, and what it takes to move up the ranks. 🎯 But it doesn’t stop there! The crew also discusses what happens AFTER you pass the test—new responsibilities, expect...

In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast , the crew is reunited with Nick Hammond , an OG host of the show! 🎉 Matt, Doug, Unkie, and Freddy sit down with Nick as he shares what’s been going on in his world—switching fire departments, having a baby, and adjusting to life’s new challenges. 👶🔥 But it wouldn’t be a Cool Fireman episode without some football talk! 🏈 The guys dive into this weeke...

In Episode 75 of The Cool Fireman Podcast , we’re joined by Greg Rudiger from RAD (Resilient Another Day) Consulting for an insightful conversation on health, wellness, and resilience. Greg is passionate about helping first responders build the mental and physical strength needed to face the challenges of the job. Greg shares practical tips for maintaining resilience in the fire service, touching...

In Episode 74 of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Matt, Brian, Unkie, and Doug sit down to talk about Matt's recent wildland fire deployments to the Park Fire and the Line Fire. Matt shares his firsthand experience from the frontlines, giving us a detailed look into the challenges, teamwork, and intense conditions faced during these fires. But it's not all serious! The guys throw in plenty of hilarious...

In Episode 73 of The Cool Fireman Podcast , Brian sits down with Sam Massa from Fire Tech by HiViz to talk all things fire technology and their experience at the SAFRE (South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Join Brian and Sam as they dive into the latest innovations in lighting and safety technology that are shaping the fire service. They also give a firsthand recap of the S...

In Episode 72, the whole gang is back together! Matt, Brian, Unkie, Freddy, and Doug reunite to share some exciting news—we’ve switched to a new podcast platform, and we’re thrilled to tell you all about it! We dive into how this change will help improve our show and provide a better experience for our listeners. But it's not all about technical updates. This episode takes a serious turn as we dis...

Job Town Tools Promo Code For 25% OFF Promo: TheCoolFireman In Episode 71 of The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, Unkie, and Freddy are joined by a special guest, Billy from JobTown Tools. Billy shares his experiences from his time with FDNY, one of the most renowned fire departments in the world, and how those experiences inspired him to start his own business. His company, JobTown Tools, speci...