View From the Top Floor Podcast with Mickey Farrell

Mickey grabs Jeremy from the National Fire Radio Podcast to join him as they break down Zen. Mickey's intellect and well thought out points of view broken down for Jeremy's simple mind. A fun conversation between the two of them!!

In this conversation, Mickey reviews a post from September 25th, 2019, discussing the importance of effective communication in the fire service. He highlights the impact of stress on performance and emphasizes the need for clear and precise statements. Mickey also explores the concept of the 'screamer,' someone who is overwhelmed and tries to gain temporary control by screaming. He discusses the i...

In this episode, Mickey discusses the importance of understanding the fire service as a family and the unique nature of the job. He emphasizes the need for young firefighters to be fully committed and dedicated to the job. Mickey also highlights the importance of preserving traditions and attending funerals as a mandatory duty. He suggests the creation of a funeral committee to ensure that firefig...

In this episode, Mickey and Brandon Lewis discuss the importance of being all in and dedicated to the fire service. They address the misconceptions about work-life balance and emphasize the commitment required in the early years of a firefighter's career. They compare the fire service to other professions, such as professional athletes and doctors, highlighting the level of dedication and sacrific...

On todays mobile episode, Mickey Farrell discusses the importance of representing the fire service and the need to maintain professionalism during events like St. Patrick's Day and September 11th. Thanks for tuning in and be sure to subscribe to the channel to stay up to date on all podcasts.

In this episode, Mickey reflects on his recent training experience and highlights the importance of building confidence in search operations. He emphasizes the need for training scenarios where no victims are present to develop the instinct and trust in one's abilities. Mickey also discusses allowing firefighters to give accurate reports and the importance of time management on the fire ground. He...

In this episode, Mickey Farrell discusses the importance of the backup line, particularly with lithium-ion battery fires. He emphasizes the need for being action-oriented and having forward-thinking tactics due to the rapid and dangerous nature of these fires. Mickey also addresses the misconception that lithium-ion battery fires are only an urban problem and emphasizes the need for preparedness a...

In this episode, Mickey Farrell discusses a new type of exposure problem when dealing with lithium-ion battery fires. He highlights three elements of these fires that are often overlooked: direct impingement, thermal runaway, and pressurized fire travel. Mickey emphasizes the importance of understanding these elements and how they impact firefighting strategies and tactics on the floor above the f...

Chapter 18

In this episode, Mickey and Anthony discuss the importance of engine company pride and culture. They highlight the significance of maintaining traditions. They also emphasize the importance of cleanliness and taking pride in the rig. The conversation touches on the role of the engine and truck companies in firefighting tactics, including the coordination between them and the importance of communic...

Running on the fire ground is a debatable topic in the firefighting community. Some argue that running is necessary in certain situations, while others believe it should be avoided. The key is to understand the tempo of each fire and act accordingly. Training to run on the fire ground without considering the flow state of the fire can lead to misguided skill sets and blurred vision of speed versus...

In this episode of A View From The Top Floor, Mickey and Jeremy dive into “The Floor Above” discussing various questions that were submitted in regard to firefighting tactics and strategies. They address questions about searching above a fire without a charge hose line, the importance of focusing on strategies and tactics. They emphasize the need for adaptability and understanding that firefightin...

In this conversation, Mickey interviews Zack Newton, an artist and firefighter, on the floor at the FDIC. They discuss the importance of the fire service, brotherhood, and the impact of social media on their lives. They also talk about the inspiration behind Zack's artwork and how it reflects the universal nature of firefighters. The conversation emphasizes the love for the job and the desire to m...

Today Mickey discusses the purpose and role of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) or Fast Truck in firefighting. It traces the history of RITs and highlights the importance of understanding their main objective. The conversation emphasizes the need for RIT members to be proactive and engaged on the fire ground, rather than just standing by. Be passionate and knowledgeable about the fire service.

During an interview in 2020, Jeremy and Mickey discussed the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the fire service. Mickey shared that he kept a journal and notes throughout his career, which inspired his Instagram posts. Jeremy emphasized the significance of providing practical tactics in his content, avoiding fluff, and focusing on engaging and sparking conversations within the fir...

This week’s episode, Bob Pressler joins Mickey once again to break down his 1997 Fire Engineering article, “ROOF OPERATIONS: LIGHTWEIGHT TRUSSES AND VARIATIONS.” It’s a topic that’s been debated for years, often misunderstood, and still causes confusion today. Bob clears it up the way only he can — direct, detailed, and from experience.

Another street talk, this time from Roamary’s Cafe in the West Village of Manhattan, where Mickey discusses the critical role of outside vent (OV) firefighters in coordinated attacks during firefighting operations. Emphasizing the importance of timing and the PRIMARY mission of searching for life, the conversation explores how OV firefighters should adapt their strategies based on real-time condit...

Mickey Farrell sits down with FDNY legend Bob Pressler for a raw conversation on the craft of firefighting — from mastering the basics to making high-stakes decisions under pressure. They dig into leadership, search operations, trust on the fireground, and how experience, intuition, and solid training outweigh gimmicks and internet noise every time.

In this episode Jeremy and I sit down over a few cold beers to delve into the world of leadership and the critical traits and skills that define effective leaders in high-stakes environments, examine the concept of "Firefighter IQ," and discuss the ever-growing influence of social media on the firefighting community.

Jeremy and Mickey sit down together on the porch where the conversation revolves around the concept of firefighter IQ and the importance of deep understanding and thinking in the fire service. They discuss the need for firefighters to go beyond just performing repetitive tasks and instead focus on developing a deeper understanding of the job. They emphasize the value of lectures and learning from...

Chapter 27

Jeremy and Mickey are back on the porch and hitting topics head on.

Join Mickey in a conversation with Lieutenant Jason Redman, retired U.S. Navy SEAL and best-selling author, on my latest episode. Jason's journey is one of resilience, triumph, and unwavering commitment to excellence. In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of maintaining high standards in the fire service.

Chapter 30

In this episode, Mickey sits down with Florida State Representative Adam Anderson at his home. They discuss Adam's journey into politics, the role of faith in life, the bravery of ordinary people, and the importance of teaching about September 11th through the lens of heroes. They explore the unity and patriotism that emerged after the attacks, the challenges of passing legislation to ensure Flori...