Fire Engineering Podcast Network

On this episode of Fire and Training, Paul Watlington joins host Douglas Cline to talk about officer development in today’s fire service. They discuss the reality of younger officer ranks, what “experience” really means, and how departments can close training gaps without lowering standards. Watlington and Cline emphasize the importance of being a student first: Seek conferences, regional courses,...

In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts Dave Polikoff, Sam Villani, and Robert "RJ" James break down real‑world firefighting lessons: outside‑in fires, disciplined 360s, and why the first‑in officer must “call the play.” They discuss staging engine/truck resource and the importance of maintaining a team‑based mentality to stop strip and townhouse fires. The conversation also gets into deadly lig...

Why is data-driven decision making so critical? Sean Duffy joins host Eric Dreiman to discuss the importance of search at fire scenes, data, and the analytical side of firefighting on this episode of Hooks & Hoses. Duffy shares his thoughts on his recent Fire Engineering article, “Fireground Decision Making: The Data‑Driven Edge for Search.” He draws on Firefighter Rescue Survey findings, FSRI...

Host Christopher Naum discusses the fireground blueprint: how building construction, occupancy, and predictability drive risk, tactics, and safety. He reviews recurring summer incidents and line‑of‑duty deaths and the need to improve building literacy. He also looks at the following critical reads: the fireground, the building, the compartment, and the company. Naum outlines practical steps includ...

On this episode of Women in Fire, host Lisa Baker speaks with a panel to discuss the upcoming 2026 Women in Fire International Conference, in Austin, Texas. The conference will offer specialized training and networking for fire service professionals. The members of the panel emphasize that the environment allows attendees to drop their guards, build hands-on skills without fear of judgment, and es...

On this episode of The Humpday Hangout, Frank Ricci sits down with Scott Martus to discuss his Fire Engineering article, "Two Systems, One Mission: How to Align ICS and HICS in a Crisis." Martus explores the critical relationship between the fire service and healthcare systems, highlighting how sponsor hospitals, medical direction, and hospital emergency management teams can serve as force multipl...

From modern construction and synthetic fuels to lithium-ion battery hazards, today’s fireground looks different. In this episode, Keith Stakes and Meghan Maloney of UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute discuss what recent research is revealing about search, suppression, ventilation, and exposure reduction. Learn how the Fire Safety Research Institute works with the fire service t...

Firehouse kitchens have always served as a hub where firefighters solve problems, share stories, and pass down institutional knowledge. On this episode of The Backstep Boys, hosts Ron Kanterman and Tom Aurnhammer examine the subtle forces shaping modern firehouse culture. They focus on the critical role of informal leaders: These include the experienced crew members and senior firefighters who mai...

Hosts Jason Hoevelmann and Jim Silvernail welcome Sean Duffy for a focused discussion on data-driven fireground decision making on this episode of Tactical Impact. They break down critical timelines and the reality of survivability in heavily involved structures. The panel also discusses why search should be a default action regardless of whether victims have been reported. 

In this episode of Point of Origin, hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake sit down with veteran fire investigator Nick Palumbo Jr. Palumbo looks back on his days as a 14-year-old explorer, his first ride-along investigating fires with his father, and how he got his professional start. He recounts memorable cases, discusses courtroom risks, and shares leadership lessons as well as his father's advice: Bu...

On this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka speak from their own experiences writing for Fire Engineering, hosting a podcast, and teaching at FDIC. They give advice on picking a topic, building credibility, and tips for submitting class proposals. The hosts warn against using AI and share thoughts on classroom etiquette and the power of showing up to build relationships.

On this episode of Two Vollies and a Guest, Micah Hydeman joins hosts Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth to talk about career changes. Hydeman details his career move from captain to tailboard firefighter and shares how to evaluate a change in departments. He covers family and insurance risks, financial changes, union agreements, and staffing realities. The panel also details the mental and cultural s...

Chief Doug Myers from the Berrien Springs-Oronoko (MI) Fire Department joins host Tom Merrill for a conversation about emergency scene accountability for this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department. They touch on practical approaches to establishing and maintaining accountability from the moment the firefighters arrive until the incident is under control. They also look at the syste...

Chief Aaron Hummel, of the Boise (ID) Fire Department, joins host Anthony Kastros on this episode of Command Show to break down frontline command. They get into practical size‑up, incident command pitfalls, accountability, standard operating guidelines, and the “functional five” hazards. They discuss regional growth, joint academies, and promotional testing, as well as auto-aid mechanics and build...

Operational discipline, clear communication, and understanding: That's what fireground coordination is about. In this episode of Generation Engine, host Anthony Rowett welcomes seasoned fire service veterans Mickey Farrell and Bob Pressler to break down the mechanics of a unified response. They explore how crucial decisions are made long before crossing the threshold, shift-change size-ups, monito...

Firefighting doesn't fit a standard 9-to-5 mold, and standard dietary advice often fails on shift. On this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Stephen Shaw welcomes registered dietician Megan Lautz to talk about tackling real-world nutritional challenges first responders face. They emphasize smart, actionable habits, such as learning how caffeine affects fluid levels, why targeted sugar in...

This episode of Tony Carroll's Mayday Monday features Brandon Cory, a sheriff's special rescue deputy and training officer, as he opens up about the March 13, 2020, duplex fire in Forsyth Township, Michigan, which claimed the life of 23-year-old Ben Lauren. Cory describes the incident walking listeners through dispatch, arrival, conditions, and the high-risk collapse that took place. The discussio...

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, Deputy Chief Mike Shaw from the Wallingford (CT) Fire Department joins hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy to reflect on his recovery journey after suffering a severe injury. Shaw details his time advancing through the ranks and shares his core leadership philosophy: He treats fire service command like parenthood. He explains how, like parenting, effective...

Dave McGlynn sits down with Eddie Buchanan to talk about practical ways to collect, connect, and use fire service data to improve tactical capability in this episode of The Training Officer. They discuss the evolution from spreadsheets to integrated RMS/LMS platforms, the role of AI, and tactical benchmarks. Buchanan outlines where departments often fall short, where technology is headed, and simp...

On this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with David Conley to discuss building a practical framework for trust, competence, and longevity in firehouses and first-responder teams. Connecting leadership to financial metaphors, they show how everyday habits, systems, and small deposits compound into resilient culture. The Conleys emphasize habits over heroics. They look a...

On this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Lieutenant Alex Stephenson of Prince William County (VA) Fire and Rescue. They talk through the types of data every company officer should be using. Stephenson covers which data metrics are important, where to find the data, and why data is important to company-level operations.   This podcast is brought to you by Esr...

Host Eric Dreiman welcomes Captain Arthur Ashley (ret.), of the Lexington (KY) Fire Department, and Lieutenant Steve Robertson (ret.), of the Columbus (OH) Bureau of Fire, to this episode of Hooks & Hoses. The panel takes a thoughtful look at what makes a successful company officer before the alarm. They discuss the critical nature of shared training and clear expectations, as well as the impo...

Following Fargo's purchase of a seven-acre training site, hosts Craig Nelson, Jeff Wallin, and Chris Rasmussen discuss what an “ultimate” fire training center would include. They cover practical design priorities and the advantages, including cost-saving opportunities, of a rail spur. They also discuss open hazmat and railcar training opportunities. The members of the panel emphasize realistic, in...

On this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, the panel discusses the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department's revamped approach to firefighter wellness by integrating member services directly into department operations. They discuss how the department now centers around Car 20—a dedicated 24/7 Rapid Response Member Services unit. Car 20 responds directly to high-stress calls like pediatric emergencies, fat...

On this episode of Humpday Hangouts, hosts Frank Ricci and P.J. Norwood sit down with filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer to examine his documentary Burning Down the House, which examines the severe structural and health hazards inside municipal firehouses. Dwyer covers how his deep family roots in the fire service and the loss of his uncle to job-related pulmonary disease inspired the film, which reveals a...