The Firehouse Logbook Podcast

With more than 44 years as a career firefighter, and more than 6 years of prior volunteer experience, this guy has some lessons and stories to share. Assistant Chief Eugene "Cricket" Gerald literally started running fire calls before he even started going to school. In this episode, Henry Rosenbaum and I get to talk with Cricket and hear some of the lessons learned and legendary stories of a fire...

Man's Best Friend can also be a fire investigator's most valuable tool. In this episode I talk with two of the first Accelerant K9 handlers in Central Virginia - Captain Mike Martin and Lieutenant Bob Rollston - about their experiences as dog handlers and fire investigators. These unique teams aren't just a person and a dog. They are truly a matched team not only in their training, but personaliti...

Every fire marshal in Virginia has to attend at least some parts of the Department of Fire Programs - VA Fire Marshals Academy. The groundwork for the programs and classes that are graduating today was built by Russ Chandler - long time fire service professional and first Director of the VFMA. In this episode, Weet and I get to hear some of the stories associated not only with starting an Fire Mar...

In this episode, I got to capture some (some shouldn't be recorded) of the stories that get shared at a monthly retirees poker game. Kevin Spaulding and Don Bowman are two retired Battalion Chiefs from Chesterfield Fire and EMS who were great leaders, teachers, and mentors over their long careers. Make sure you check out the Facebook page for photos relating to some of these stories, and as always...

Henrico Fire published a tribute video last week about the first four women to retire from the department in recognition of Women's History Month. Henry and I were lucky enough to meet with three of the four to hear about their fire service experiences, including challenges, significant fires, and mentorship. Listen in to how Captain Debbie Weymouth, Firefighter Susan Caskie, and Firefighter Lisa...

John Harkness is a Retired BC from Richmond who went on to become the Fire Chief in Orange County where he got his start as a Volunteer Firefighter. Chief Harkness was also a leader in dive and water rescue in central VA and was involved in several water rescues on August 23, 2004 when Tropical Depression Gaston dumped more than 12 1/2" of rain in just a few hours in Richmond. I was able to sit do...

Loudoun County, Virginia's Combined Fire and Rescue System had its start in the volunteer fire companies of the community, and one person who started as a volunteer in that county rose to the rank of Fire Chief. In this episode, we take a look back at that history and some significant incidents that shaped how the system developed and a Fire Marshal became Fire Chief. View an article about the Mea...

The Rescue Challenge started in 1995 to test the skills of technical rescue teams from around Virginia. That evolved into a 25 year history of training and regional cooperation that involved other states, the military, and private industrial teams. Meet Steve Wood, retired Henrico Battalion Chief who's idea led to Rescue Challenge, and Ed Dunnavant, retired Henrico Lieutenant who helped make this...

In Episode 4, I get to sit down with two former shift-mates - BC Mark Berry and Capt Jerry Pruden - and discuss some of our time on "The Pike", and the incident that earned them the department's first Medal of Valor. At the end, we get a little heavy paying tribute to our family members - both in uniform and related to the uniform - who have left us way too soon. To support the Chesterfield Profes...

In Episode 3, we get to hear first hand accounts of what it's like to be the first in fire officers to what was described as "the second biggest [fire] in the city's history behind only the burning of Richmond at the end of the Civil War. " Be sure to follow the social pages, subscribe, and pass the word along. RFD Foundation donations to: Richmond Fire and Police Credit Union 900 Hermitage Rd. Ri...

In this episode, we talk with R. C. Dawson, retired Deputy Fire Chief from the Henrico Division of Fire. Chief Dawson (then Captain) started what would become the Henrico Hazardous Incident Team (HIT), and shares the history of how the team was developed and how the Virginia's Regional Haz Mat Team concept was born. He also talks about one of the most significant hazardous materials incidents in c...

Welcome to the first episode of The Firehouse Logbook Podcast! In this episode I talk with three lifelong fire and EMS colleagues and friends about how we can best share the culture, traditions, legacies, and legends from those "older and wiser voices" who have paved the way in the fire and emergency medical services field. Let us know what you think and what you want to hear. Email - FirehouseLog...

Welcome to the Trailer for The Firehouse Logbook Podcast! These are some short clips of guests and topics that will be coming out in the next few weeks. Full episodes will begin being published on Monday January 25 th . Be sure to follow the social pages, subscribe, and pass the word along. Letus know what you think and what you want to hear. Email -FirehouseLogbook@gmail.com Twitter - @FDLogbook...