The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Joined on this episode by my friend and mentor, the one and only Dena Ali. We plan to discuss her new book "Hope Out Of Darkness", and the impact it has already had. We will be digging into mental health and the fire service. You know we will be diving down some rabbit holes! Of course the main discussion was driven by the wonderful questions from the audience, and Dena absolutely crushe...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Jimmy Davis and it was a good one! We discussed the culture and value of training, aligning priorities, how to assess your mindset. The 10 factor error reduction... Input vs. output... and all of this barely scratched the surface of what he wanted to come on and discuss. Of course got wonderfully derailed by the beautiful questions from the audience. Enjo...

Joined on this special (unplanned episode) by none other than PJ Norwood. We have a whole lot to talk about including his story of donating life to a friend, and why we are spreading the word. Of course it is PJ Norwood so there was a lot of tactics, and why we should stop believing and start knowing. Fire behavior was on the agenda... plus as always... everything the audience threw our way! 

Joined on this episode by none other than uncle Don himself! I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint! Another great conversation as we discussed the power of the little things. The importance of building relationships, and of course the lessons he has learned throughout his life. It was an amazing ride, and that does not even include all of the great questions that the audience thr...

Joined on this episode by one of the most influential mentors in my life, especially on the topic of leadership. We planned to discuss leadership, no matter what level of the organization you are in. How to not only survive, but also thrive in a toxic atmosphere. How to develop a high performance team. The power of letting your people be heard. All of this was on the agenda, and of course was thro...

Joined on this episode by one of the hardest workers I have met. John Velez of Tailboard Misfits. We talk about the mission of bringing value to the fire service. His journey and missteps along the way. The power of shared experiences as well as shared suffering. And the impact of good conversations, and why it is so hard to have them in the modern social media fueled world. All of this is of cour...

Joined on this episode by the one and only James Geering. he is the host of the Behind the Shield podcast which has over 1000 episodes and going strong. We plan to discuss his new book "Kinder" and of course when you talk to James you are going to get straight talk about Mental health and first responders. We discuss shift-schedules as well as all of the brilliant questions that come fro...

Joined on this episode by one of my favorite Chief's, also the author of one of the books that was foundational in starting Firehouse Vigilance, none other than Chief Rick Lasky. It is our annual end of year show (this is year two and I plan to keep it going as long as he is willing)! We discuss the concepts of Pride & Ownership and how the timeless principles have stood the test of time...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Dr/Chief David Griffin. it was an amazing Scrap as we discuss the topics of  Resiliency, toxic leadership, mental health, Excellence, Leadership, Growth, Overcoming Adversity, Tragedy, Triumph, Culture and Mindset... and that does not even include the questions and comments that the audience brought! It is an amazing episode with a strong finish that left...

Joined once again by the incomparable Aaron Fields to have another amazing discussion about his mindset and philosophies towards training. His methodologies, how they were developed and why he is so adamant in their application. We get to discuss linguistics, and its impact on the Fire service, as well as every topic the audience threw our way!  If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Aaron Fi...

Joined on this episode by none other than Chris Gilpin! We talk about a lot of different topics and the most important one is of course training! We discuss the history of training from his perspective and how we have arrived at the place where we are. The things we are getting right as well as what we could be doing better. The incident that changed his perspective on training.... and of course t...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Lee Forshner. Been trying to make this one happen for a while, and was able to do so this week because of a short notice cancelation.  It was a heavy Scrap as we discussed his journey and the challenges that he faced and overcame along the way.  Mental toughness and adversity was on the agenda, as well as a few beautiful questions from the audience. 

Back to back, a double-header!  Firefighter Mayday Survey talk with one of the firefighters I love the most. We deep dive into the project that is launching soon, the Firefighter Mayday Survey.  We will talk about Don Abbot and Project Mayday, its connection to this project as well as every way that you, the American Fire service can get involved. Of course, we planned for and expected the audienc...

Joined by one of my favorite people on the planet, the incomparable Andy Starnes. We talk about TIC's and the fire service, it is old technology, so why are we so ill-versed in its use! Thermal Imaging and search. Firefighters and disorientation and the role of the TIC.  Of course with Andy you can always expect a dose of the truth about life, relationships and the job. As always our best lai...

Joined on this episode by the incomparable Steve Shaw! We plan to talk about soap and saws as well as South Florida forcible entry versus the rest of the country. Family in the fire service. Sharing a firehouse with strong personalities and making it work as well as training, training and training.  Of course the best laid plans are always wonderfully derailed by the fantastic questions of the aud...

Joined by the one and only Mitch Huner.  We discuss the Fire Service infatuation with doing more with less. Adapt and overcome, and why we rely on it. The resulting economics and lack of tool versatility. Challenges of manufacturing in USA, and supporting firefighter owned businesses. We touch on the beast of cancer and of course everything and anything the audience threw at us!  It was an amazing...

Joined once more by one of my favorite firefighters, and one of my favorite guests, the one and only Chief Mike Lombardo!  We discuss... whatever he wanted to talk about...and it was awesome. He started by talking about two impactful LODD's from Buffalo while he was there... and how that applied to his approach to training.  As always the audience ultimately determined the direction when they...

Joined on this episode by Frank Leeb and Billy Goldfeder to discuss their new book "30 Fires You Must Know".  In this Mega Scrap, Chief Colleen Walz and Chief Randy McGregor break down the fires that they were a part of.  it was an amazing Scrap, and as always the awesome questions that the audience asked added to the show! 

Joined on this episode by none other than the one and only Captain Dale Jenkins, and I was fired up for this one!  We planned to discuss the changes in the fire service both good and bad over the decades.  What we are getting right and what we can improve upon. The importance of drilling, and how much depends on your mindset towards drills. The best place that firefighters can find a helping hand....

The return of the one and only Justin McWilliams! I was looking forward to all that we planned to talk about and was not disappointed! The first due engine, the priority of the first line, reports of victims. Helmet cams: editing, posting & commenting. Textbooks! Social Media vs. phone call vs. face to face. Lessons from instructing, the impact of decision makers in your organization, and of c...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Erich Roden, super excited for the conversation and the topics. We talk about a tale of two firehouses, Engine Company  Operations, Fireground Operations from the chief officer's perspective, diving into data... and of course none of this includes all of the great questions that the live audience always throws at us!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Eric Tollund. We talk about a wide range of topics including recognition of those who shaped us, engine operations, standpipe operations, and deep diving into the mental element of preparation and mindset.  The grind of life, city politics, poor leadership. And of course that does not include the wonderful questions from the audience who always take contr...

Joined on this episode by the man who has taken more notes than any person I know, Kyle Romagus. He is coming on to share his wisdom as he breaks down an all new whiteboard. Episode #75 of the Scrap is one of the all time, most watched episodes and Kyle is coming back to do it again, this time with an all new whiteboard that he has been working on and refining. So grab your drinks and popcorn and...

Joined on this episode by the one and only Steve Kaiser, checking in from the future, and from Australia.  We discuss the Aussie approach to training methodology, Structural firefighting and water application.  The importance of decon and their approach to it, knowing your craft and staying plugged in.  It was an awesome time, and of course as always the direction and topics were ultimately contro...

Joined on this episode by Chief John Lightly and we had lots of stuff to discuss. Topics include, Good VS. Toxic Leadership, mindset and creating change in your organization.  The ways in which instructors are failing and how we can improve.  The Curse of knowledge. When to follow the book and when to throw it out the window.  And of course that is just the tip of the iceberg and does not include...