The Forward Firefighter

In this episode, Dan sits down with Chief Ron Wegner of the Jefferson, Wisconsin Fire Department. Chief Wegner is the latest recipient of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year award. Chief Wegner pulls back the curtain on what it takes to lead a combination department that serves 53 square miles, including the protection of heavy industries. But behind the state of t...

Remembering Your "Why": Mastering the Basics, the Crucial Role of the Company Officer, and Building a High Performance Culture with Chief David Rhodes When your department faces budget cuts, station politics, or staffing shortages, how do you keep your crew focused and ready? In this episode of The Forward Firefighter , Dan sits down with Chief David Rhodes. Chief Rhodes is a former Atla...

Beyond the Pump Panel: Mastering the Role of the Motor Pump Operator In this episode, Dan chats with Chief Eric Johnson, a 40 year veteran of the Wisconsin fire service and founder of First Due Fire Training, to dissect the often overlooked complexities of the motor pump operator. Moving far beyond "pulling levers," Eric explains why the engineer is the most critical link in fireground s...

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Adam Vapnar, a 19-year-old who is rapidly bridging the gap between being a high school cadet and a high-caliber fire service professional. Adam shares his journey from four years of rural cadet service in Northern Wisconsin to the rigorous Fire Protection Technician Program at Fox Valley Tech. We dive deep into the "student-firefight...

What happens when 6,000 gallons of gasoline vanish into a river, or a common garage spill leads to a house demolition? This week, Dan sits down with Beth McCormick, President of WAMR and co-owner of Valley Environmental Response. Beth shares her experiences responding to HAZMAT cleanup operations. We dive deep into the legalities of spill ownership, the "stick test" for identifying bio-s...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the modern fireground with Paul Shoemaker, founder of the Next Level Training Network, to build your EV Fire Playbook. As electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries become permanent fixtures on our roadways, the old tactics no longer apply. Paul breaks down the science, the safety, and the "street-smart" strategies every department needs to stay ahead of th...

I am kicking off 2026 with Captain Nick Ledin from the Eau Claire Wisconsin Fire Department. I'm talking with him about his fire service journey, ECFD operations, and some massive takeaways from the Firefighter Rescue Survey, including data on victim survival rates that might just change how you look at the fireground. Nick Ledin is a Captain with Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department, currently ass...

Dan is joined by two fantastic guests, Jordan and Leah Crave! Both are dedicated firefighters on the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. Now two years into their journey, they dive into the real challenges and rewards of service. Married for sixteen years and parents to four kids, Jordan and Leah discuss how they manage the intense demands of the fire department alongside their respective careers...

Join Dan for a conversation with the creative force behind the documentary "The Best of Us," Emmy award-winning editor Ben Cook, and the man at the center of the film, Chief Matt Boulding of the Cornell, WI Fire Department. Ben, a Cornell native, shares the precise reason he felt the need to turn his lens on the all volunteer fire department that serves his hometown, capturing their sacr...

In this episode on The Forward Firefighter Podcast, Dan sits down with Captain/Training Officer Mike Bernard (Arbor Vitae Fire & Rescue) an Instructor with Midwest Fire Tactics and Training, and author in The Book of Search. Mike dives deep into the necessity of training above the minimum standard, sharing the unique operational challenges of running an all-volunteer department in a high-touri...

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Dr. Chris Frueh, a clinical psychologist, professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and leading expert on the health of military veterans and first responders. Dr. Frueh introduces the concept of Firefighter Syndrome, a framework that explains the cumulative physical and psychological toll of the job, whether you serve as a career f...

In this powerful episode of The Forward Firefighter, I welcome Jeff Rothmeier—career firefighter, decorated combat veteran, and author of Mastering the Craft. With two decades of experience spanning urban search and rescue, technical rescue, and engine and rescue company work in both Saint Paul and Milwaukee, Jeff brings depth, humility, and passion to the conversation. Jeff talks about his early...

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I talk with April Hammond, Assistant Chief of the Cottage Grove Fire Department and DSPS Integrated Section Chief. April shares an inside look at Cottage Grove’s training culture, call volume, and what it takes to lead a modern volunteer fire department. She also breaks down her work at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, includ...

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter , I sit down with Chief Chris Dallas of the Valders Fire Department in Wisconsin. Chief Dallas shares insights into his department’s approach and walks us through the mindset, preparation, and tactical considerations for effective vehicle extrications. From emergency scene readiness to hands-on training tips, this episode delivers both education and motiv...

In this episode, we delve into the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) with three distinguished guests: Tim Haas, Fire Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Emergency Management; Josh Ripp, Chief at Stoughton, WI Fire Department and VP of MABAS Wisconsin; and Bruce Hennington, Regional Coordinator for the Southwest region for MABAS Wisconsin. We discuss the history and advantages of MABAS, its struct...

In this episode, I welcome back Marc Hill to talk about his second book, Read Before You Lead. Learn from Marc as we discuss his experience becoming a new fire chief for a volunteer fire department. Listen to episode 10 to learn more about Marc and his first book, Two Dark Thirty. Marc Hill has devoted over two decades to public service, holding diverse roles as an educator, coach, principal, fire...

In this episode, I talk with Brooke Hushagen, a Forestry Technician at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ranger Station in Poynette, Wisconsin. Brooke shares her expertise on the various services the DNR provides, including fire protection. Listen in as Brooke discusses wildland firefighting tactics, offers valuable advice, and recounts her experiences with memorable large fires...

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Benjamen K. “Ben” Lauren, Captain at the Forsyth Township Fire Department in Upper Michigan. Ben was a respected firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 23 in the year 2020.   Tune in to this podcast as I chat with Brandon Cory, who was beside Ben on that tragic day and shares Ben’s story. Learn about the importance of R...

Nathan Olson is the Captain of Training for the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. A department member for just over 10 years, Captain Olson provides strong leadership skills gained through his military experience. Captain Olson's military career began after high school in 1988 and continues today. After serving on active duty in Panama and California with the Army, he joined the Wisconsin Nation...

In this episode, I chat with Nathan Schneider, Assistant Chief of the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department. We discuss the department's makeup, the new fire station, and how its dive team started. Nathan also shares how they celebrated their 150th anniversary with a special video that doubles as a recruitment tool. We also discuss a clever way the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department established a water...

In this episode, we are honored to have Chief Rudy Horist, a distinguished 42-year veteran of the fire service and the Chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District in Illinois. Recognized as the 2023 Chief of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chief Horist leads a dedicated team of 170 personnel in a combination department. Join us as Chief Horist shares insights into his...

In this episode, I talk with Chris Klahn, President of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association. Have you heard about the new OSHA proposed Emergency Response Standard? Learn from Chris what these proposed standards could mean for your department. In this episode, you will also learn about the Montello Fire Department and the different work done by the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association....

Chief Joe Knitter is a 38-year veteran of the South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fire Department, where he served as Chief for the last 10 years. He is currently the Interim Fire Chief at the South Shore Fire Department, which protects the Villages of Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant in southeast Wisconsin. Chief Knitter is renowned for his class, “Fighting Fires in Fast Food Restaurants” which he has presen...

Firefighter Fitness and The Safety Officer Join us as we dive into the world of firefighter wellness with Roy Smalley, the Health and Safety Officer for the Mayville Wisconsin Fire Department and an EMT with Mayville EMS. With his dual expertise as a certified personal fitness trainer and stress management coach, Roy offers invaluable insights into the intersection of emergency response and physic...

Dave Briggs is passionate about the effective use of a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).  In this episode, Dave goes into some TIC training topics that go above and beyond the fire academy. Dave is the Training Division Chief for the Wausau, Wisconsin Fire Department. He is an instructor for the Mid-State and Northcentral Technical Colleges, and he owns his own training company, Firefighter Training,...