5-Alarm Task Force!
203 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★ - 20 ratingsNews and Issues For Today's First Responders. We provide some of the top mentors, leaders and members of the Fire Service from the U.S. and Canada.
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Episodes
Episode 234: Episode 8-16 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – A 4-Person LODI & Successful Retention & Recruitment Campaign
March 08, 2024 00:00 - 1 hour - 368 MB VideoThere is no doubt that Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson has had a well-experienced path in the fire service, starting as a 15-year-old “water boy” and “hanger-on” to learn as much about firefighting as possible. It wasn’t long before Jacob was climbing the department’s “ladder,” through the Katy Fire Department for approximately seven years. Then, the Pearland Fire Dept. started its “Growth Spurt” and Jacob decided that it was a place where one can learn, practice and drill to become a b...
Episode 233: Episode 8-15 – Capt. David Wiklanski – “The Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative”
March 04, 2024 00:00 - 2 hours - 90.3 MBDavid Wiklanski is an Engine Company Captain for an urban fire department in New Jersey. He has over twenty years in Emergency Services. Wiklanski is a speaker and writer, with most of his presentations on behavioral health, in addition to Suicide Terrorism. His mission is to end the stigma associated with mental health and to connect responders with the available resources to not only survive but thrive in their careers. He has contributed articles to Fire Engineering, Firehouse...
Episode 232: Episode 8-14 – Nic Higgins & Chief Tom Marchiano – The New Firehouse Tribune
February 16, 2024 00:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBIf you’re a firefighter and you have been on social media oh, let’s say some time around 2011, you could not help but notice the frequent posts from The Firehouse Tribune. Then, it was a couple of firefighters posting some key ideas, facts, tactics, health, etc. Recently, Nic, the founder and editor of The Firehouse Tribune has raised the level the “Tribune.” It began with Nic writing his first book, “The 5-Tool Firefighter.” Then, he authored a workbook to accompany the “5-Tool F...
Episode 231: Episode 8-13 – Chuck Moran – Online Video Mastery
February 09, 2024 00:00 - 2 hours - 98 MBWe all know that many fire departments across the country, both career and volunteer are struggling with retention and recruitment. And most are looking for new ways and/or tools to assist them in this endeavor. Sure, there’s advertising in the trades, posting on social media, etc., but there doesn’t appear to be any “heart” in these efforts. It may be time to try a new method, using what almost everyone has – your cell phone! A marketing communications professional with well over ...
Episode 230: Episode 8-12 – Chief Brian Fennessy (Orange County CA Fire Authority & Asst. Chief (ret) Scott Jones (L.A. County Fire & Rescue – “The QRF Program”
December 14, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 74.8 MBMutual aid – fairly common in the fire service, right? Sure, there can be “stumbling blocks” in setting these arrangements up, such as personnel, different equipment, availability and even what might be seen as “silly” issues, like egos and a competition mindset. Lest we forget that our oath is succinct…”To protect the lives and property of our community. “ There is no mention of egos or equipment matches, etc., in the Oath, just “to protect!” No departments exemplify this truth as ...
Episode 229: Episode 8-11 – Peter Matthews – “What We Can Learn From an Uber Driver” & Retention and Recruitment for the Fire Service
November 17, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 79.1 MBAlmost every industry in the U.S. has its “Trades,” that is, magazines devoted to and about that industry. The U.S./Canadian fire services are no different. There are numerous periodicals for us to choose from, one of which is the one that somewhat taught me how to be a better firefighter, even though it was a brand-new periodical back in 1977, when it was first published by FDNY firefighter, Dennis Smith – FIREHOUSE® Magazine. And I’ve rarely missed an issue in those more than 45 y...
Episode 228: Episode 8-10 – Gamaliel Baer, PhD – The Need for Diversity of Mind, Body & Soul in the Fire Service
November 08, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBThe American career Fire Service has often used basic testing and an interview of two when seeking new hires. And that may have served the need, “back in the day.” However, now into the third decade of the 21st Century, we should and need to create a new construct. Moreover, if we wish to remember that retention of current members should come before recruitment, we need a new paradigm to succeed for tomorrow! Our returning guest, Dr. Gamaliel Baer, who holds an Ed.D. from the Unive...
Episode 227: Episode 8-9 – Nick Peppard & Sean Duffy – “Make Due” 3 Years Later
November 05, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBWe have all seen videos on the news or on social media of big-city fire departments doing their “thing.” Lots of apparatus and a large contingent of firefighters and support staff. It is often an amazing site and sometimes, we might get a little jealous. However, the majority of American firefighters are not in the big urban areas. Most of us serve suburban areas with mixed usage, residential, commercial, manufacturing, etc. My two guests on this episode are Nick Peppard and Sean ...
Episode 226: Episode 8-8 - Capt Mike Daley - FIREHOUSE Expo & Fireground Survivability
October 25, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBEvery profession has standouts. These are the men and women who always strive to do their best for their profession, often going beyond the average levels and striving to always be prepared and ready to bring their “A-Game!” My guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force!” Capt. Mike Daley is, in my eyes, a consummate firefighter. If I included his bio in these show notes, you would see multiple pages! I will share that he is a nearly 30-year veteran of the fire service and an exc...
Episode 225: Episode 8-7 – Kory Pearn – CRACKYL Magazine
October 12, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBWe often refer to the “trades,” the publications of fire service, for learning tactics, theories, seeing new equipment and new developments in apparatus. However, there is more to what we do than simply, “How to…” More importantly, to do this job, we must have a strong idea of self, i.e., “Who am I?,” “How do I do this job and be there for my family?" “I’ve seen so much tragedy, how do I deal with it without looking weak?” and much more. Thankfully, over the last five-six years, ...
Episode 224: Episode 8-6 – Andi Clark – 1st Responder Physical & Behavioral Health
October 06, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBMy guest on this podcast is Andi Clark. She is a certified Sleep, Stress and Resilience coach with over 30 years in the health and wellness industry. She specializes in teaching First Responders how to enhance their sleep quality, regardless of their shift schedule and boost their HRV, which is the body’s ability to handle stress. Learn from Andi on this podcast. For more information on Andi and her links, please email us at info@5-AlarmTaskForceCorp. org and we will email you all ...
Episode 223: Episode 8-5 – Jim Burneka – Where Are We Today With PFAS?
September 28, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 72.9 MBDifficult to believe that the Firefighter Cancer Initiative is about six years old. A strong part of the credit goes to our Brothers and Sisters with the Boston Fire Department. Without their moving video, we may not have crossed into where we are today for a year or two later. Then, only about 1-1/2 years later, we hear about chemicals that are man-made, came out in the 1950’s and that the vast majority of us never heard of before: PFAS. Developed my two major chemical companies in...
Episode 222: Episode 8-4 - Danny Beauvais - "Student of the Game"
September 20, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBWhat type of firefighter are you? No, I’m not talking about engine, truck or rescue companies! How dedicated are you to what we do? Do you do/study/learn only what you are required to or are you a “student of the game?” Our guest on this episode is Danny Beauvais who serves with the Mooresville Fire Department in North Carolina. However, he started as a volunteer in 2003 in the Spring Valley NY area. When his family relocated from New York to North Carolina, Danny was quick to join...
Episode 221: Episode 8-3 - Capt. Dustin Lambert, PhD - "Driving Under the Influence of Dispatch!"
September 06, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 78.5 MBYou are sound asleep. You’ve had a busy day with lots of runs. Add the training that was squeezed in and you’re exhausted. You lie down on your bunk and you’re “out like a light!” Seconds later, the horn blares and all the lights turn on! You jump up with a start, put on your gear and head to the apparatus floor. As you make your way there the PA adds, “Confirmed working residential working fire. Two adults, two children with one unaccounted for!” And yes, you are the driver of the ...
Episode 220: Episode 8-2 - Chief (ret) Charles Werner - "DroneResponders and More Tech!"
August 31, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBThere is an old adage in the fire service that what firefighters hate the most are “status quo” and “change!” Doesn’t leave much wiggle room, does it? Nevertheless, our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force!” Chief (ret) Charles Werner has become a specialist in new and helpful tech developments that support and enhance the efforts of the three main branches of public safety, Fire-Rescue, Lawn Enforcement and EMS. In this episode, Chief Werner shares with us the explosive gr...
Episode 219: Episode 8-1 – Mynda Ohs, PhD – “Fully Involved Life” & “When the Calls Stop”
August 11, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 93.3 MBIt is no secret that behavioral health has become an important topic, not just in the fire service, but for all arms of first responders. We are losing far too many of our Brothers and Sisters to their own hands, and we cannot help but wonder why! If you are a first responder, no one has to tell you how difficult, dangerous and rewarding these jobs can be. Nevertheless, they still exact a heavy toll, even on those who refuse to admit it. We see crap that we would not want any civil...
Episode 218: Episode 7-19 – Diane Cotter – The State of the PFAS Battle Today
June 24, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 94.7 MBIf you are a firefighter, career, volunteer, paid-on-call, WUI, etc., and you do not know anything about PFAS/PFOS, you are woefully behind in your firefighting education. I know, because I did not know about it either until 2017 when I was referred to my guest on this episode. Diane Cotter’s husband, Paul, had just been promoted to Lieutenant in the Worcester MA Fire Dept., in 2014, when he was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer. Thanks to surgery and treatment, Paul is ...
Episode 217: Episode 7-18 – Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez & Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle – The Firefighter Cancer Initiative
June 13, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 84 MBWe are honored to welcome back our guests for this podcast, Dr. Caban-Martinez and Dr. Schaefer Solle, who head up the FCI in Florida and share their findings with medical and research teams across the country and in other countries, as well. They have been with us on several occasions and provide us with the latest information on our efforts to reduce cancer in the fire service. In this episode, they bring us up to date with the latest news from the front lines of this “battle.” ...
Episode 216: Episode 7-17 – Deputy Chief Dave Robertson – “Hiring Based on Character”
June 10, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 113 MBIt is no secret that fire departments across North America are “hungry” for more firefighters, including career, volunteer, paid-on-call and WUI. Why? There are various reasons behind it and if departments are to be successful in this endeavor, it might be a good time to re-think your processes. There is a new generation of young people interested. And if we can look beyond the fact that they may not have basic tool skills, we just might see that they have other skills that could b...
Episode 215: Episode 7-16 – Chief John Vance – “Culture in Your Fire Service”
June 03, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 113 MBIn the last ten-to-fifteen years, we have heard various terms used to describe the fire service, e.g., “We’re a family,” and “We have a culture.” In a number of ways, both of these phrases can be used with both positive and negative references. There is no doubt that in general, we do have a somewhat unique culture based on how we serve our communities, e.g., career, volunteer, paid-on-call, etc. However, the term, “culture,” has also been used almost to boast that we might be bette...
Episode 214: Episode 7-15 – Capt. Mike Daley – NFPA 1700 & Kill the Flashover
May 05, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBIf you are a firefighter dedicated to being the best you can be, then this podcast/video is for you! Our guest is Capt. Mike Daley, who has nearly 40 years’ experience as a firefighter, officer and instructor. He has presented at national, regional and local conferences. He is also the current president of Kill the Flashover, the organization that runs educational programs and demonstrations, teaching safe and effective firefighting practices. On this episode, Capt. Daley tells us...
Episode 213: Episode 7-14 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – Humanity in the Fire Service
April 27, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 80.2 MBWhen we talk about the fire service and firefighters, our thoughts often go to firefighters working at a fire, HazMat scene, big and shiny apparatus, the firehouse and more. However today, more than ever, we need to look at the humanity of the fire service! No matter if we are discussing career, volunteer, part-pay or WUI firefighters, they are humans first, they are sons and daughters, moms and dads, husbands, wives, aunts and uncles, etc. Sadly, we are often so focused on the wor...
Episode 212: Episode 7-13 - Andrew Cunningham - The Wheeling WV Fire Buffs
April 13, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 102 MBFor decades and decades, young children have always been enamored, curious and excited to see fire apparatus. Whether it was/is an engine, truck, rescue or even a “buggy,” we all loved to see the flashing lights and hear the sirens. For some, this is where their “connection” ends. For others, they follow through and join the fire service. And some of those children find other paths in life yet are still enthralled with their local fire service and do what they can to follow them and...
Episode 211: Episode 7-12 – Chris Kessinger – Citizens First Fire Training
March 30, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.5 MBAs firefighters we spend a large part of our careers learning our craft. Some learn from the start and keep it going throughout their careers. Others think that from the academy they learned what was necessary and only continue their learning when they have to, i.e., mandatory department training. Across the country, there are often local, regional and national conferences with excellent speakers, instructors and often, “Hot Classes,” too! Yet, how many of us have attended a class t...
Episode 210: Episode 7-11 – The Responder Safety Institute & HASS Alert – “Distracted Driving”
March 02, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBWe see it almost every day and sometimes, we are as much to blame as anyone else. We’re talking about distracted driving and the very real, very dangerous and fatal toll that it causes. From long conversations on your cell phone to watching videos, sports, etc., each contributes to a distracted driver. This driver may not even notice our flashing lights and multiple emergency vehicles and winds up plowing through the scene, injuring or killing anyone unable to get out of his/her way...
Episode 209: Episode 7-10 – District Chief Vernon Hiller – “Firefighting & Beyond”
February 19, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 105 MBChallenges…this job has plenty of them! To be a firefighter, there are certain attributes necessary, e.g., good physical condition, willingness to learn, practice tasks, dedication to the task, being aware of what you are getting yourself into, etc. Perhaps this last example is the most important. For while we understand that we will see things that we would not want most others to see, sometimes, those incidents are what trouble us, as well. And some of those can be troubling to us...
Episode 201: Episode 7-9 – Brad Davidson & Chief Arjuna George – “Burn Out” & New Books
February 09, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBIf you’ve been a firefighter for more than a year or two, you probably realize that this job is not what you thought it was when you were an adolescent, teen or even a young adult. This profession, career, volunteer, paid-on-call and WUI, is not all fun and excitement. We see and do things that we wouldn’t want our loved ones or good friends to have to do. And those can and often do, exact a huge price! Our two guests today, Brad Davidson, a former Fire Investigator in Manitoba Can...
Episode 200: Episode 7-4 – Dennis Fox – SmokeAlarmSafety.Org
January 18, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBIf you purchased a toaster-oven and it either did not toast correctly or it burned everything you put in, what would you do? What about that beautiful new refrigerator that matches your décor, but all the frozen food defrosted and in the Cold side, everything was room temperature? What would you do? There is growing evidence that the ionization type of smoke detectors may not be working properly, giving proper notice of smoke being detected. What if you went to bed, a fire starts i...
Episode 199: Episode 7-8 – Chief Anthony Correia – “Character, Attitude & Values”
January 14, 2023 00:00 - 2 hours - 101 MBChief Anthony Correia has over forty years’ experience in both Fire and EMS. A past chief in Missouri and New Jersey of both career and volunteer departments, he has taught around the country and at local, regional and national conferences. He is a strong supporter of “retention and recruitment” and offers strong, positive hints as to how to be successful at both of these topics, so very important today. In this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” the Chief shares his wisdom regardin...
Episode 198: Episode 7 - 7 - Chief (ret) Todd LeDuc - 2022 Review
December 28, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBChief (ret) Todd LeDuc is currently the Chief Strategy Officer of Lifescan Wellness Centers. Prior to this position, he served as the Executive Assistant Chief of the Broward Sheriff’s Office – Division of Fire-Rescue, working his way up from paramedic 30 years ago. Chief LeDuc has been a frequent guest and long-time supporter the podcast. In this episode we discuss his long relationship with the late Chief Bobby Halton, as both a friend and an author of several books and numerous...
Episode 197: In Memory of Chief bBobby Halton - His Podcast on 17AUG2014
December 22, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 106 MBThis past Monday evening, December 19th, the Fire Service suffered the loss of a pillar of our Community, Chief Bobby Halton. Chief Halton was the Executive Editor of "Fire Engineering," and the director of the annual FDIC. His love for and dedication to the Fire Service was unwavering. And if you ever had the chance to meet and speak with him, you know he treated you as if he had known you all your life. To honor his memory and service, we are honored to present his audio appear...
Episode 196: Episode 7-6 – Chief (ret) Marc Bashoor – After-Action Reports & More
December 08, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBChief (ret) Marc S. Bashoor has over thirty years of Fire/Rescue experience, including rising from firefighter to Chief of the Prince George MD Fire-Rescue Department, which is the largest integrated combination career and volunteer department in the U.S. He has presented at numerous local, regional and national fire conferences. Moreover, he has consulted with departments in Brazil and China. In this interview, the Chief discusses two, recently released After Action Reports from t...
Episode 195: Episode 7-5 – Capt. E.J. Henninger – A Firefighter & Fire Protection Systems Engineer
November 18, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBAs society evolved over the last fifty years, more and more people learned, either via determination or happenstance, to “wear multiple hats.” And that trend has probably grown as opposed to, abated. Our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” is one of those people who wears two hats, one is a fire protection systems engineer and the other is as a Captain in his local volunteer fire department, about an hour outside of the city of Philadelphia, where the volunteer fire se...
Episode 194: Episode 7-3 – William “Bill” Dungey – Resilience & “The Wedge”
November 03, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.2 MBIf you are a firefighter, we know that the work we perform is taxing, throwing and climbing ladders while wearing over 40 pounds of gear AND carrying tools, being on the nozzle, etc. With that said, many feel that they are in decent shape (most of the time) and for others, it can be difficult. Our guest today, Bill Dungey, is a firefighter in Brant County, Ontario Canada. Like many firefighters in the northern half of the U.S., they deal with a great deal of snow and very wintry w...
Episode 193: Episode 7-2 - Blue Card & B-Shifter - MAYDAYS & Radio Traffic With Nic Brunacini & Josh Blum
October 28, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 85.1 MBThere are instructors, local, regional and national conferences and you can learn tactics galore. But back in the late '60's and 70's, the late Chief Alan Brunacini helped to change our way of thinking on the fireground, especially for those who command those firegrounds. His first book, "Fire Command" taught us better ways of serving in that command function. Years later, a number of those lessons are not only still valid but have become the basis for the "B-Shifter Blue Card." ...
Episode 192: Episode 6-20 – Chief Brandon Fletcher – Leadership, Ownership & Volunteers
May 26, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBThe face of the volunteer fire service has changed dramatically since my days back in the mid-1970’s and early 1980’s. The day-to-day dynamics of our society have changed dramatically and made it more challenging for people to be able to volunteer time; not just to a volunteer fire department, but also to houses of worship, civic organizations, etc. Yet, with over 70% of America being protected by volunteer or paid-on-call firefighters, we still have excellent leaders. My guest to...
Episode 191: Episode 6-24 – “The EFO Program,” Part II with Helen Johnson, Chief Nelson Pyle and Chief Harold Phillips
May 18, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 96.8 MBThis is Part II of our presentation about the EFO (Executive Fire Officer) program, offered at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg MD. Our guests went through the long educational process needed to achieve this level. While one is required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree to enter the program, what you will learn goes far beyond fire tactics and administration. This program will help you attain the true measure of a fire service leader. If you have that "hunger" inside ...
Episode 190: Episode 6-22 – Ryan Johnston - Owner Maine-lac Training – Ladder Placement on College Campuses
April 20, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBWhether you call them ladders, trucks, towers, platforms or tillers, ladder operations are in their own category. And our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” knows his category very well! Ryan Johnston is a 24+ year career firefighter and a 30+ year volunteer firefighter. He is the owner if Maineiac Training, a small training group that prides itself on providing realistic, experience-based, fire training. Ryan is currently the Rescue Technician in A Shift at the Water...
Episode 189: Episode 6-21 – “The EFO: What It Was, What It Is & What It Will Be – Part I
April 09, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 85 MBMany of us have seen or heard of the acronym, EFO. However, how many of us actually know what it stands for: Executive Fire Officer. Does the designation apply to any level of Chief? Could any firefighter, of ant rank, receive the designation? Just what is it and where did it come from? My guests today are Dr. Burton A. Clark, PhD, EFO, Chief Trey Mayo, EFO, Winston-Salem NC Fire Dept. and Chuck Burkell, an advisor and former instructor at the National Fire Academy. In this episo...
Episode 188: Episode 6-19 – Cory Hohs & Brock Aun of HAAS Alert
March 13, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBWithin the last decade, one of most dangerous calls that first responders respond to, are emergencies on active roadways. In 2021 alone, 65 first responders (fire, police, EMS, recovery operators road rangers) died when stuck by a vehicle while on an emergency scene. And the number one cause falls on “distracted drivers.” While there is number of definitions for the term, “distracted,” drivers are simply not paying enough attention to the roads and to emergency scenes. Our guests t...
Episode 187: Episode 6-18 – Capt. James “JP” Childers
February 25, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 97.4 MBTraining…some of us love it, some don’t. Some enjoy teaching…some don’t. However, there are those who are teachers, instructors and mentors, who have the passion to teach and our guest today, is one of those with a strong passion to teach, share and mentor. Why? Because there was someone in his life who cared about him and introduced him to the fire service. And that was around 20 years ago. Capt. Childers joins us today to discuss his recent article in FIREHOUSE® Magazine’s Decem...
Episode 186: Episode 6-17 – Chief Justin Bailey – The Importance of a Training Calendar
February 19, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 115 MBIt is no secret that voluntarism is at a low in this country. Society always changes and evolves and with that said, this problem is far broader than just the volunteer fire service. Even before the pandemic, fewer and fewer people were able to find adequate time to contribute to volunteer positions throughout local, regional and national organizations. One of the largest impacts of the lower availability of volunteers is the shortage of personnel in the volunteer fire service and...
Episode 185: Episode 6-16 – Battalion Chief John Hayowyk Jr & Capt. James Kovacs
February 04, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBOn January 14, 2022, a massive fire erupted at a pool chemical and supplies manufacturing plant erupted into a massive inferno in Passaic NJ. Due to its location, it was first called in as a car fire on a highway that runs behind the C-side of the involved structure. In charge of Tour 3 that day was good friend, Battalion Chief John Hayowyk A. Hayowyk, Jr., with over 29 years in the fire service. Also on shift that evening was Capt. James Kovacs, a 24-year veteran of the fire servi...
Episode 184: Episode 6-14 – Lt. Aaron Zamzow – Fire-Rescue Health & Fitness
January 20, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 95.5 MBNo stranger to “5-Alarm Task Force,” returning guest and good friend, Aaron Zamzow joins us to discuss the new level of his company, “FRF – Fire Rescue Fitness. These topics have been very important to Aaron for over 15 years. Having initially been a personal trainer, who rose to work with players in both the NFL and NBA, when he joined his first fire company, he realized that he needed different workouts to focus more on the jobs that we do as firefighters. You will hear a great ...
Episode 183: Episode 6-13 – “Make Do Your Damn Can Job!”
January 15, 2022 00:00 - 2 hours - 122 MBStrange title for an episode, right? Not if you know my guests for this episode. Our comrades and friends, Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson, Captain Nick Peppard and Lt. Jason Liska, “dropped by” to discuss our mutual passions and concerns. Each of my guests host excellent podcasts about the fire service. Capt. Nick (along with another great firefighter and friend, Sean Duffy) host, “Make Do!” a podcast that focuses on issues of suburban firefighting (which about 80% of us deal with)...
Episode 182: Episode 6–12 – Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski
December 11, 2021 00:00 - 2 hours - 99.5 MBI am pleased to welcome back an excellent fire officer, instructor, mentor, author and friend, Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara CA Fire Department. Too much time has passed since his last appearance and we are glad that our schedules were able to finally sync-up! Though he officially retires on December 31st, after a storied, 30-year career, the Chief has spent some of his accrued time off traveling the country to enjoy his three passions, visiting ballparks (he’s been to a...
Episode 181: Episode 6–11 – FF Jason Burns – The PFAS in Our Bunker Gear
December 02, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBCancer and other dangers we face in the fire service are not new topics, but they have “morphed” a bit. Initially, it was though that only those who worked the “Pile” after 9|11 were being affected. Then, the various carcinogens and other toxins from the benzene products burning were found to be hurting us as well. Then, came the news that they very bunker gear we wear to protect ourselves while we perform our often-dangerous jobs, could be leaking carcinogenic toxins into our bodie...
Episode 180: Episode 6–10 – Nicholas Higgins, Author – “The 5-Tool Firefighter”
November 25, 2021 00:00 - 2 hours - 99.3 MBWhat makes a great firefighter? And who judges who is a “good” firefighter or a “great” firefighter? To be honest, it should e no one else but the image you see in the mirror. For that person in the mirror, never lies and more importantly, knows every one of your secrets. It is my pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Nic Higgins, Co-Founder and Editor of “The Firehouse Tribune,” to discuss his newly published first book, “The 5-Tool Firefighter.” Nic put this together with nearl...
Episode 179: Episode 6–9 – Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson – “DO YOUR DAMN JOB!”
November 18, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 97.5 MBWe are so pleased to have B.C. Jacob Johnson back on “5-Alarm Task Force!” Chief Johnson has taught his class, “Do Your Damn Job!” at local, state, and regional conferences. His message is crystal clear, “It is the responsibility of experienced firefighters to mentor the new recruits coming in!” It does not mean that you didn’t clean the pumper well or you have to pick-up papers on the day-room floor. It means YOU need to be both a learner and a teacher! The Chief shares his own...
Episode 178: Episode 6–8 – Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw – “Answering the Call Inside City Hall” + Drone Rescue
November 11, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBIn our first segment, Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw of the Western Berks Fire Department in PA, explain the news that recent broke that his department used their new drone with a TIC (thermal imaging camera) in a rescue. An elderly patient with dementia had wandered away from his care house, and into a huge corn field. While first responders on the ground searched with ATV’s, dogs and even volunteers on horses, it was a difficult search. However, using their newly acquired drone w...