The Fireground Fitness Podcast, Rayne Gray

In episode 108 our guest, Steve Orsini, shares his passion for firemanship and the work of being a firefighter. His message, summarized in my words are; be better, study your craft and take your job seriously. Orsini has served in the coast guard, as a firefighter on the east coast and now out here in the Valley of the Sun; he is on a mission to share his commitment to firemanship and service. We discus...

Fire apparatus accidents are typically bad, for a myriad of reasons that are outside of what I want to share about this episode. Suffice it to say that the ramifications of emergency vehicle collisions can be horrific to say the least. Glynn Ross, had one such accident while responding to an emergency, travelling a road, and through an intersection, he had navigated “a thousand times before”. The accide...

Many years ago, I met Kevin Roche as we moved through the halls of the PFD. As a new guy in the department, I had no idea who I was talking to and left feeling welcome and encouraged to be a member of this fine organization. Sometime later I came to know that he was the right-hand man to Fire Chief Alan Brunacini, which makes sense as he is studious, funny, smart and deeply committed the fire service. H...

Episode 105 features Michael Rose, a 17-year firefighter who picked up a guitar when he found himself flat on his back after a near-career-ending injury. Years later, he’s back to fighting fires and has discovered a new love of playing music for gatherings to pay it forward and make a difference in the small and big moments of life. He’s a husband, father and whiskey, hunting and campfire enthusiast who...

Many years ago, Noah Katz, our guest on Ep 104 rolled into fire station 39 where he and I discussed the virtues of playing hockey and fighting fire. Since that time, I have fanboyed over Noah’s career as a professional hockey player, amazed by the grit and perseverance an accomplishment like that requires. This attitude has parleyed into a fantastic fire service career and, no surprise, an intense focus...

Chief Tom Jenkins came to the valley to discuss the roll out of the NERIS project – the National Emergency Response Information System. This is a fire service data reporting tool that will increase the efficiency and utility of the reporting system for the American fire service (see Chief, I was paying a little bit of attention!) Which is interesting, however, a chat with Chief Jenkins is way more than ...

Our guest today, Joe Spector, is a retired firefighter turned podcaster, author, and emotional fitness instructor. After a years of subsequent traumas that led him to the brink of suicide, Joe chose to live, pursue radical wellness, and champion others (particularly in public safety) to do the same.

In 2017, Joe experienced a brain and spinal cord injury, costing him his health, income, and fifteen-year career in public service. 

When Kris Kazian and I sat down to record episode 101 he offered to prepare me an egg and cheese omelet with a side of bacon before we got started. Now, I am not one to pass up a meal and it would be rude to decline this kind gesture, right? So, I accepted his offer, sitting down to a delicious omelet but also an introduction to the true nature of service that epitomizes Kazian’s character.

Before we finished our meal, we were neck...

Wow, today we are dropping episode 100!  By some comparisons that is not very many episodes, but when I think of what it has meant to me personally then it all sinks in. The value is in the relationships and edifying conversations that have been had with each guest. The random and amazing interactions I have had with folks like yourself who listen to the FGF podcast for a variety of reasons. 

Today, in celebration of the 100th epis...

When you walk into a room and see Heather Marques for the first time one is immediately struck by the energy radiating off this talented fire service leader.  She exudes a selfless confidence which is truly warranted and immediately qualified when she speaks. As you will hear in episode 99 Marques has a great knowledge, passion and commitment concerning the business of firefighting and is working hard t...

With just under 20 year on the job Tammy Cifra has reached the breakover point where she has now spent more than half of her life on the job. Many would argue that she has given her due, but not Cifra, she is full steam ahead, now serving in her “dream job” as the lead Recruit Training Officer for the Glendale Public Safety Regional Training Center. She joins us on episode 98 as she recovered between ac...

Years of fast paced adventures, motor, road and mountain bike racing, rock climbing, and the everyday stress of climbing in and out of fire trucks and running calls takes a toll. Sometimes this is an obvious injury, a crashed bike leading to a broken ankle, a fused spine, or any number of orthopedic maladies that trouble Firefighters. Just as often, though, we can sustain injuries that go unseen, the re...

"Oscar Mike" is old school Marine Corps parlance that means you are “on the move”, and nothing describes our guest better. Mike O’Neill has worked his way through the ranks of the fire service, working in multiple agencies and developing a vast depth of KSA’s. In Ep. 96 we discuss O’Neill’s journey through the USMC and into the fire service, his new role as a Battalion Chief and so much more! Please enjoy.

A little more about o...

When you grow up playing ice hockey on the east coast the city of Tucson might as well be on another planet. However, life has a way of surprising us and in episode 95 Fire Chief Chuck Ryan shares how, after a full career in Virginia, collegiate hockey and serving as a lawyer he landed in Tucson Arizona. We discuss these things as well as the state of the fire service, leadership and so much more. Please enjoy!

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Buzz Lechowski, episode 94, began his fire service journey near his childhood home in Chicago and the northwest suburbs in 1994, becoming an EMT and starting on his fire science degree. Having split time in Arizona during his teens, it didn’t take long for him to gravitate back west to Sedona. Attending Yavapai College, he started volunteering with the Sedona Fire District and became a career Firefighter/EMT in 1999. Continuing his...

Running from her childhood trauma by diving from planes, Paige Arnone, is a fascinating person. Her journey led her to the yoga mat where she found physical wellness and a path to mental health as well. In episode 93 we discuss all these things and so much more, enjoy!

A little more about today’s guest:

Paige Arnone Founder, Firstgevity 

AZPOST CERTIFIED & E-RYT 500

With years of experience working directly with first responder...