Fire Engineering Podcast Network

In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, Kim Phillips, district chief, Houston Fire Department, and Paige Colwell, battalion chief, Forsyth County (GA) Fire Department, take a close-up look at what defines leadership and management in the fire service. They explore essential leadership traits like trust, communication, and integrity, and highlight the challenges leaders face. These include everything from gaining credibility t...

In this episode of Tactical Impact, hosts Jim Silvernail and Jason Hoevelmann sit down with Peter Morotto, acting chief of training, Bridgeport (CT) Fire Department, to unpack key firefighting tactics centered on tenable space and focused aggression. Drawing from 30 years of frontline service and extensive instructor experience, Morotto takes a close look at balance between aggressive fireground operations and firefighter safety, e...

Hooks & Hoses: Rob Grady’s Journey Through Firefighting in Gary, Indiana   In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman sits down with Rob Grady, assistant chief of training for the Gary (IN) Fire Department. Grady shares his firefighting journey, which spans over 30 years. He recounts his transition from volunteer to career firefighter, the highs and lows of frontline duty, and memorable moments riding the heavy res...

The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Insights with Chief John Salka   In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Chief John Salka, a seasoned FDNY veteran and lifelong volunteer firefighter, digs into the realities of today’s volunteer fire service. From recruitment challenges and background checks to the crucial role of professionalism without paychecks, Salka shares hard-earned wisdom on the true meanin...

The Training Officer: The Nontraditional Truck Company   In this episode of Fire Engineering’s Training Officer podcast, Chief Jim Silvernail of Kirkwood, Missouri, addresses the critical need for engine companies to train beyond their traditional roles. Drawing from his own  years in suburban fire service and his “The Nontraditional Truck Company,” (Fire Engineering Books, coauthored with Arthur Ashley), Silvernail emphasizes how ...

Tailboard Talk: Harvest Hazards, Station Upgrades, and Long-Term Planning in Rural Communities   In this episode of Tailboard Talk, hosts Chris Rasmussen, Craig Nelson, and Jeff Wallin discuss the realities facing rural and suburban fire departments, especially during the intense harvest season. They cover the unique dangers posed by 24-hour beet and corn harvesting operations, including driver fatigue and heavy equipment accidents...

The Command Post: Hiring Challenges and Best Practices with Rick Lasky and John Salka   Rick Lasky and John Salka, hosts of The Command Post, dive into the evolving landscape of firefighter recruitment and hiring, sharing decades of firsthand experience. They discuss how societal shifts, comfort-seeking attitudes, and changing norms impact the quality and commitment of candidates entering the fire service. From robust, objective hi...

Two Vollies and a Guest, a new podcast hosted by Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth, is dedicated to practical fireground knowledge. With over 50 years of combined hands-on experience, they focus on technical and tactical skills firefighters need when every second counts. Expect robust discussions about real-world scenarios, including hazardous materials awareness, natural gas emergencies, nozzle reactions, and building construction co...

Command Show: Inside Leadership and Lifesaving Strategies with Waco Fire Chief Robby Bergerson

In this episode of Command Show, host Anthony Kastros welcomes Robby Bergerson, chief, Waco (TX) Fire Department. With 28 years in Waco and over three decades in the fire service, Chief Bergerson shares his unique journey from recruit to fire chief and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. He talks about a high-stakes apartment...

Mayday Monday: Lessons from the 2019 Atascocita (TX) Fire Department

Mayday Monday returns for October as Chief Mike Mulligan, Brian Morgan, and Battalion Chief David Roark of the Atascocita (TX) Fire Department recount a harrowing commercial fire they faced in 2019. The incident reinforced how familiarity, communication gaps, and residential firefighting tactics can crea...

Fireground Strategies:  Lessons from Baseball to the Blaze

In this edition of Fireground Strategies, Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy dive into the complexities of decision-making under pressure by drawing parallels between baseball managing and incident command during fires. Using recent Yankees playoff controversies as a starting point, they explore how incident commanders must balance instinct, analytics, and experience when making ...

Perspectives on Leadership: Transforming Fire Service Culture,  Leadership, Mental Health, and Inclusion

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw and Eric McCoy, chief, Huntington Beach (CA) Fire Department, explore the crucial role of culture in the fire service. Drawing on experiences from both coasts, they discuss breaking down stigmas by building a positive, mission-driven culture that embraces humility,...

The Larry Conley Show: Cultivating Leadership and Passion in Fire Service Training

In this episode of the Larry Conley Show, David Conley and Larry Conley sit down with DJ Stone, division chief of training, South Walton (FL) Fire District. Stone shares his journey into the training officer role, revealing the challenges and profound responsibilities that come with shaping a fire department’s culture and capability. The conversation...

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: The Critical Role of Data, Building Intelligence, and Fire Prevention

In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, fire safety experts Jill Cotton and Jack Murphy cover a crucial yet underappreciated aspect of firefighting: leveraging data, building technology, and fire prevention strategies to save lives and property. They discuss why residential sprinklers remain vastly underutilized desp...