The Professional Brotherhood™

About Our Guest: Sean Eagen started with the Buffalo, NY Fire Department in 1998. He has split time into engines and truck companies throughout his career with a 1-year stint on Rescue 1. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 and then Captain in 2018. Sean is currently the Captain of Truck 7.   Sean started working for the NYS Department of Homeland Security Special Operations Branch as an instruc...

Chief Soller shares his thoughts on the "textbook" video post that originated on IG via @boogiedowntruckwork .  This is the audio version of Monday's post on our IGTV. About our host: Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instr...

Lieutenant Paul Haynes is assigned to Rescue Company 1 of the Syracuse (NY) Fire Department.  He has been a member of the department for 19 years, and also has volunteered with the East Syracuse Fire Department.  Paul is a NYS fire instructor in Onondaga County and at the New York State Academy of Fire Science.  He also serves as a NYS Association of Fire Chiefs Hands-On training instructor. About...

On todays episode we are joined by Aaron Quinn.  Aaron has been a firefighter in Oakland, California for 20 years. He has worked most of his career in the east end of Oakland on a truck company. In 2007,  Aaron became the head physical trainer for all new recruits.  Since then he has trained over over fifty percent of the department.  Aaron blends the hard world of a PT instructor, mental performa...

On today's episode Brian chats with Pip from 555 Fitness about the mission of 555, fitness,  the "Strength is our Foundation" grant, the Clubhouse app, Street Parking and more. We encourage all emergency services organizations that have the need to apply for the grant by clicking on the following link: https://www.555fitness.org/siof About our guest: Robert "Pip" Piparo is...

On today's episode Brian is joined by Chief David Brierty of the Ridgefield, NJ Fire Department and Jillian Crane, Board President of the First Responders Children's Foundation. The First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances...

Jonathan Brumley started his fire service journey as a volunteer in a combination department in his home state of Colorado.  It didn't take long for Jonathan to be bitten by the fire service bug and decide that firefighting was the career for him. On today's episode Brian and Jonathan discuss that journey.  From his volunteer days, to his first career position in Nebraska, to the City of...

On today's episode Brian discusses a variety of topics that have been submitted by the listeners.  About our host:   Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sullivan County, NY.  Soller also served as chief of the Ro...

This is a question that I ask myself frequently.  There are times that I wonder if we are making a difference; if the time, energy and effort it takes to produce this platform and this podcast is worth it.  Are we making a difference? Well this week I received a phone call that gave me all the justification that I needed.   About our hosts:   Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last...

Ryan Johnston is a 23-year career firefighter for the Waterville (ME) Fire Department and is the rescue technician on Rescue 1. He started as a volunteer in 1991 and still volunteers in his hometown of Oakland, where he holds the rank of lieutenant. He has an associate’s degree in fire science and is a charter member of the Managing Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. He also is the owne...

Jim Moss is the author of "Firefighter Success, the 20 C’S to Firefighter Excellence".  Firefighter Success is the blueprint for firefighters and fire officers who want to achieve excellence in all areas of their lives. Its 20 core principles provide every firefighter with a complete road map to a rewarding journey in the fire service.  Jim is a fire captain and paramedic for the Metro W...

On todays mutual aid episode Brian talks about the many options that are available to you when looking to start or re-start your health and fitness journey.  About our hosts:   Brian Soller has been an active volunteer for the last 30+ years.  He currently serves as assistant chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department and for the past 17 years has been a New York state fire instructor assigned to Sull...

Jon S. Stern is a 28-year veteran in the Fire service. He joined the fire department in 1993 as a 16 year old junior volunteer firefighter in Rock Hill, NY. Jon moved from NY to Northern Virginia in 2003 to fulfill his dreams in becoming a full time career firefighter. While living in the NOVA region he became a member of the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company. There he risen through the ranks to bec...

For today's episode we are sharing this weeks episode of "windshield time", which we typically only share via Instagram TV.  On this episode Brian discusses "making a difference" in the fire service and asks the following questions: Are you making a difference in the volunteer fire service? Are you continuously striving to better yourself, your organization and the fire se...

When asked why he would start his volunteer career all over again as a "probie", while continuing to serve as a battalion chief, David Brierty answers as follows: “I absolutely love what I do!! Helping people and being a firefighter runs through my veins. The fact that I am at the top of one agency and the bottom of another doesn’t bother me at all. I think it keeps you in check. If I ca...

Poser - a person who acts in an affected manner in order to impress others. Can also be referred to as a "wannabe". On today's episode Brian poses the questions, "are you a poser?" and introduces the question of the year for our platform, "in your own words what does it mean to be a professional volunteer firefighter?". About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has be...

On today's episode we are joined by Chief Matt Stiene (ret.), of the Smallwood/Mongaup Valley Fire Department.  Matt began his career as a volunteer firefighter and advanced through the ranks quickly, becoming assistant chief and then chief of the department.  He also served as the hazardous materials coordinator (HM-1) and then battalion coordinator (BC-4) for the County of Sullivan in New Y...

On todays episode we close out 2020.  To say that it has been an interesting year would be an understatement, however, we are truly grateful for your support and the love that you, the listeners, have shown this podcast and our platform. Thank you!  Here's to better days for all of us in 2021.  Stay healthy and stay safe! About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter f...

When was the last time you stretched hose in the snow? How do winter conditions alter your firefighting operations?  Are you fit to perform under those conditions? On today's mutual aid episode Brian discusses winter firefighting operations and the challenges that they present. About our host:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of...

Our post firehouse election wrap up episode. The elections are over, you've successfully earned a new title at the station.  What now? What are you going to do to continue moving your organization in a positive direction? About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, New York (1...

On today's episode Brian and Kara welcome Chief John Sahatjian back to the show.  After working our way through some Facebook glitches, we discuss past guests, past episodes, coffee, COVID and the future of the podcast. About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hill, New York (100...

On this weeks episode Kara and Brian speak with FDNY firefighter Erik Lubniewski.  Erik began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department, located in Sullivan County, NY.  Since his volunteer days Erik has spent his fire service career in "Da-Bronx".  Starting out at Ladder 52, then moving to Engine 63 and then moving across the fl...

On todays episode Brian talks fire district elections.  For those of us that serve a fire district, commissioners elections are extremely important.  This elected board is not only responsible for our firefighters, equipment, budgeting, building and grounds, but they are also fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of our fire district.   About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer fi...

On this weeks episode Brian and Kara discuss recruitment in the volunteer fire service.  Topics Include: Social Media Use Community Events Recruitment events at our area high schools The newly proposed recruitment task force (New York State) About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department in Rock Hi...

On this weeks mutual aid episode, Brian talks about "transition".  We have discussed transition on a few of our past episodes, but typically we've focused on the transition into a leadership position.   Today we will focus on the transition out of a leadership position!  About our hosts:   Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.  Brian is currently the Chie...