Robby Dawson

The Firehouse Logbook Podcast

History EN ↓ 88 episodes

A retrospective look at the culture, traditions, legacies, and legends of the fire service. Where we came from, how we got here, and the people who led the way.

Author

Robby Dawson

Category

History

Latest episode

Apr 20, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

FHL Episode 87: The Paul Mauger Afterparty 20.04.2026

There were more stories than this to tell, but these are the only ones that can be let out into the wild. Enjoy this short one with a word of caution - there are some graphic descriptions of real life incidents in here. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast Facebook - www.facebook.com/FDLogbookPodcast Website -...

FHL Episode 86: "Don't let the chain of command be a shackle" with Derrick Sawyer 06.04.2026

Derrick Sawyer got out of the Air Force never wanting to see a fire truck again, but the path showed itself. From Firefighter to Fire Commissioner in the Philadelphia Fire Department. Contact Derrick for speaking opportunities at DSOne@verizon dot net. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast Facebook - www.facebo...

FHL Episode 85: "The Legend of the Mauger Pole" with Paul Mauger and Mark Berry 23.03.2026

Paul Mauger started out as a volunteer firefighter and volunteered to be a fire dispatcher, and ultimately became the Fire Chief of Chesterfield Fire and EMS. He overcame some diversity in that journey, but I am glad to have worked for him in a couple of different positions - even when I almost wore an orange helmet. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitte...

FHL Episode 84: "It's bad if you wish someone would bomb your own neighborhood" with Ozzie Mirkhah 12.03.2026

"Ozzie" Azarang Mirkhah came to the US as a college student and has worked on protecting firefighters with fire protection systems for years with the Las Vegas Fire Department. Now, he's honoring the memory of a firefighter from his homeland, Hamid Mahdavi - killed in the line of duty in Iran. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram...

Episode 83: "You're gonna be live on CSPAN" with Mike Williams 22.12.2025

Mike Williams will be retiring January 1, but not from serving his community. He will continue his volunteer service at his local FD and service to his family at home. Mike's stories of working alongside the DEA, bumping into a congressman then testifying on "The Hill", and responding to hurricanes could have gone on for hours more. Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram...

Episode 82: "This job is what you make it" with Jerry Pruden Part 2 01.12.2025

This is the second part of the conversation with retired Captain Jerry Pruden. His career spanned 44 plus years and he's not done yet. His ongoing work withe Burn Foundation, Burn Camps, and The Chesterfield Professional Firefighters Foundation continues to show how his selfless service is an inspiration to everyone he's ever worked with. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLo...

Episode 81: "It was my fire station, my shift . . ." With Captain Jerry Pruden 25.11.2025

This is part one of a great conversation with 44+ year veteran of the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department. Subscribe to make sure you get part 2 next week. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast Facebook - www.facebook.com/FDLogbookPodcast

FHL Episode 80: "The FDNY 23 Truck Rule" With Joel Kanasky and Bill Niemann 13.10.2025

Joel Kanasky was a volunteer firefighter in New York and went on to be a US Marine and firefighter in Virginia before returning to the Big Apple and serving on FDNY Rescue 1. Now living in Bon Aire in the Caribbean, he stays connected to the fire service through Training Days, a nonprofit organization focusing on supporting the entire fire service family. Check them out at www.trainingdays.org. Co...

FHL Episode 79: "Flavored coffee has ruined the American fire service" with the Berry Brothers 26.09.2025

Mark and Eddie Berry are both retired Battalion Chief/Paramedics from Chesterfield, VA Fire and EMS who started out as fire station brats, farmers, and volunteer firefighters. With a combined 70+ years of fire service experience, we could have talked for another few hours. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast...

FHL Episode 78: "It was an adventure we got paid for" with Ben Gary and Al Thompson 26.08.2025

Al Thompson and Ben Gary are two of the original EMS Med-Flight Paramedics that started the program in 1984. The are also the longest serving medics with more than 55 combined years, let's just say they have a few stories to tell. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast Facebook - www.facebook.com/FDLogbookPodcas...

FHL Episode 77: Partnerships that Work - EMS Med-Flight I with Bob Eanes and David Tollett 11.08.2025

More than 40 years ago, a two state agencies approached a local fire chief about partnering to provide helicopter based EMS service to Central Virginia. They joined forces with a medical teaching hospital and what emerged is a long standing multi-purpose EMS Provider that has set a standard for cooperation. Captain David Tollett was the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit Commander, and along with...

Episode 76: "Don't pee in the chief's Wheaties" and other wisdom with Bill Niemann 04.08.2025

Bill Niemann retired from Prince William, VA Fire Department with so stories so interesting, he had to write them down in a book titled, "Heavy Fire Showing". Officially a novel, the stories here are excellent examples of the comradery and shenanigans that made firehouse life and the family of the fire service so unique. You can find his book on Amazon. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Emai...

Episode 75: "One Bad Day" with Guy Santelli 17.07.2025

Guy Santelli is a retire Chief Officer from the City of Kenosha, WI Fire Department and a long time friend I've worked with on Community Risk Reduction and code geek stuff for many years. In this episode, Henry and I were lucky enough to be doing a balloon event in Wisconsin and Guy and his son came along to help, and I brough the microphone to capture some of Guy's history and stories. Comments o...

Episode 74: "I felt a rumble . . . " With Keith Bryant 19.04.2025

Thirty years ago, Keith Bryant was a firefighter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma when the Alfred P. Murrah building was blown up. Today, he serves as the State Fire Marshal in Oklahoma but not before service as the US Fire Administrator. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook Instagram - @FDLogbookPodcast Facebook - www.facebook.com/FDLogbookPodc...

Episode 73: "Never say never, just say yes" With Tonya Hoover 17.03.2025

Tonya Hoover started her fire service career as a cadet firefighter in Shippensburg, PA and rose to serve as the Deputy Administrator for the US Fire Administration. She was a local and state fire marshal along the way and believes in staying connected to the people who are doing the job day in and day out. After an eight month stint of being retired, she's gotten the spark for service once again....

Episode 72: The Next Gen Volume II with Hailey and Brianna 03.02.2025

We did a series of "next generation" episodes a few years ago and it's a good time to revisit the state of the future of the fire service. And if these two ladies are any indication, the profession is in great hands. Their paths to the fire service are different, but their passion and love for the job is identical. I can't wait to see where they will go next. Comments or suggestions? Contact us at...

Episode 71: Hot Air Balloonatics with Henry Rosenbaum 20.01.2025

Henry and I have been involved in hot air ballooning for quite a while now, and it has literally shaped what we are doing today, including starting a new business venture, Old Dominion Air-Ventures. Check us out a www.olddominionair-ventures.com . This episode tells the stories behind two of the balloons we fly - the American Football and Tiny the Fire Dog. Email - FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitt...

Episode 70: Kaitlyn Batten 18 Months Later 06.01.2025

Kailyn Batten joined me for a conversation 18 months ago just days before she started Recruit School 67 with Chesterfield County. Today, fully qualified and off probation she joined me again to talk about her six month recruit academy and her first year on the job. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Questions or comments, email firehouselogbookpodcast@gmail.com

Episode 69: 2025 Reboot and Tribute to Robert Talbott 23.12.2024

It's been a while, but now with a new Podcast Studio and a new year, here we go! It was great catching back up and getting John Crosby and Henry Rosenbaum back behind the microphones, but ended the day with some sad news. It was a bit surreal given some of the topics we touched on in this episode. Donate to support the Talbott Family by visiting the Chesterfield Professional Firefighters Charitabl...

Episode 68 A Lot of Firsts with Roland Stokes 11.12.2023

After serving in the US Airforce and working two jobs in near his hometown of Petersburg, VA, Roland Stokes didn't want to make the move further south with his company so he took the test to become a Chesterfield Firefighter. He was the first African American to become a career firefighter and one of the first career members to be assigned to a truck company. Today Roland is trying to document mor...

Episode 67: Coffee at the Firehouse - BONUS Gary Honold Episode 23.10.2023

A Bonus episode, the conversation after the conversation with Gary Honold from episode 66 last week. And, come try Jiu Jitsu on November 17 at 6:00pm. Aegis Jiu Jitsu is hosting a public safety only free trial session. Visit www.aegisjj.com and contact them for the details and to save your space on the mat. Support this podcast at https://patreon.com/firehouselogbookpodcast Comments or suggestions...

Episode 66: Putting life in perspective with Gary Honold 16.10.2023

Gary Honold spent more than 23 years as a firefighter in Montana and 20 as a career firefighter and captain in the City of Missoula. His experience in working the fire service, along with 27 years volunteering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and his on health challenges have provided him a unique perspective on life and how to live. Support this podcast at https://patreon.com/firehouselog...

Episode 65: "Don't ever let it be NOT part of what you do" with Jeff Hudson, Part 2 02.10.2023

In part 2 of my conversation with Jeff Hudson (make sure to listen to episode 64), Jeff talks about how he became fire chief and the challenges of being the chief in a department where he was a firefighter as well as the lessons learned from a line of duty death. Support this podcast at https://patreon.com/firehouselogbookpodcast Comments or suggestions? Contact us at: Email - FirehouseLogbook@gma...

Episode 64: "It's your Obligation" with Jeff Hudson, Part 1 25.09.2023

An early morning fire at a neighbor's home started Jeff Hudson on the path to become a volunteer firefighter, career firefighter, fire marshal, and fire chief before joining the National Fire Protection Association as a Regional Sprinkler Specialist advocating for residential sprinkler protection in new homes. This is part one of his journey that took him to the position of Fire Marshal. Make sure...

Episode 63: "That call planted the seeds . . . " With Rick Bucher - Scottsdale, AZ 11.09.2023

Rick Bucher is a 27 year veteran of the Scottsdale, AZ/Rural Metro Fire Department who had to retire following his experiences with Post Traumatic Stress and a suicide attempt. Now an writer, advocate, and storyteller, he has published a book on his experiences, "Flame and Fortune - How the Fire Service (almost) Killed Me" and travels to speaking engagements to eliminate the stigmas associated wit...

Listen to the The Firehouse Logbook Podcast podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.