Firehouse
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★ - 7 ratingsEditor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Firehouse authors and speakers and members of the fire service about firefighter training and tactics, leadership, trends and traditions.
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Episodes
Removing the Ego from Today’s Firefighter Training – Jesiah Newsome
July 01, 2024 14:00 - 52 minutes - 72 MBPeter Matthews talks with Reading, PA, firefighter Jesiah Newsome about the importance of keeping training both motivational and inspiring, especially for younger firefighters. They also discuss how a big hurdle in today’s training is the ego of instructors, and how they can lead to negative experiences. Newsome explains the need to create a positive learning environment from rookie school, throughout their career. He is also a deputy chief with the Blandon Fire Company in Berks County, P...
The Single-Role Fire-Based Paramedic – Chad Costa
June 17, 2024 13:00 - 58 minutes - 80 MBPeter Matthews talks with Chad Costa about his capstone research on the impact of single-role paramedics in fire-based EMS systems. Costa, an assistant chief with the Petaluma, CA, Fire Department talks about the pros and cons of the highly debated topic to help fire departments manage responses as EMS call volumes soar. They discuss how single-role vs. dual-role medic positions function, plus the varying costs and the overall impact on firefighter-focused training for crews who also staff ...
Politics and the Fire Chief – Jared Renshaw
June 03, 2024 14:00 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBPeter Matthews talks with Western Berks, PA, Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw about this work to educate fire chiefs about their role in politics and how they can successfully navigate city hall. Renshaw, who has served in departments on the East and West coasts, has been writing and teaching on the topic of fire service politics, helping leaders navigate the confusing and challenging paths where the two merge, and impact each other. With many headlines of fire chiefs not being successful...
Military Vet, Fire Chiefs Talks PTSD & Peer Support – Robert “Butch” Cobb & Paul Drennan
May 13, 2024 14:00 - 1 hour - 97 MBPeter Matthews talks with Robert “Butch” Cobb and Paul Drennan, both retired deputy chiefs from Jersey City, NJ, about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the importance of peer support teams. Cobb, a veteran of the Vietnam War, opens up about a moment that triggered flashbacks of his time in Vietnam, and how it led his life into a spiral until he began meeting with a doctor. This was the beginning of Cobb’s 20-plus year journey of therapy from the city and the Veterans Administrati...
International Firefighters Day – Ken Prillaman & Jerry Streich
May 03, 2024 14:00 - 1 hour - 94.1 MBPeter Matthews talks with former Minnesota fire chiefs Ken Prillaman and Jerry Streich about their mission trips to Africa and later, Kenya, as part of this year’s International Firefighters Day coverage. Prillaman and Streich traveled multiple times to Liberia in West Africa. Prillaman shares how the citizens he protected in Brooklyn Park, MN, connected him with officials in Liberia, which sparked multiple trips to bring basic and advanced fire and EMS equipment while providing command ...
Showing Up for the Job & Helmet Cam Videos – Brian Bastinelli
April 25, 2024 15:00 - 1 hour - 92 MBPeter Matthews talks with Harrisburg, PA, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli about how firefighters and officers can show up for the job every day, and provides insight into his helmet camera videos posted on YouTube. Coming from a busy fire department, Bastinelli began capturing helmet camera videos to use for internal training and began editing them for all the fire service to watch and learn. He shares how the videos captured made him aware of auditory exclusion on the fireground and ho...
Recruitment, Retention & Organizational Development – Jerry Streich
April 04, 2024 15:00 - 1 hour - 84 MBPeter Matthews talks with former Fire Chief Jerry Streich about his work to help fire departments grow through the use of organizational development, plus a discussion on the recruitment and retention (R&R) programs he’s been involved with, including his upcoming Firehouse Station Design Conference program, “How Station Design Can Enhance Recruitment and Retention.” Streich served as a fire chief in Minnesota’s Twin Cities region, and they discuss key myths and barriers in today’s fire serv...
Leadership, Research & Transitioning Departments - Craig Haigh
March 18, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Craig Haigh, retired Hanover Park, IL, fire chief who continues to teach and consult on various fire service topics. From coordinating regional response policies with small- and mid-size departments, to having the honest conversations about when departments need to transition to staffing and operational models that fit their communities current and future needs, Haigh shares his experience with moving agencies forward and how to lay that f...
Rapid Intervention Chief Training - Gary Coney & Bob Hoff
March 06, 2024 13:00 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MBPeter Matthews talks Capt. Gary Coney from Chicago Squad 2 and retired Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff about the rollout of the new Responder Intervention Team (RIT) Chief course being offered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute on the new episode of The Firehouse Yak. This is the first hands-on course for chief officers that digs into mayday incidents from the command level with topics including the branches of RIT command, accountability, managing the fire vs. managing the mayday, d...
The Firehouse Yak #6 – Assistant Chief/Chief of Training Moses Jefferies IV
February 20, 2024 12:01 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBPeter Matthews talks with recently promoted Nashville Fire Department Assistant Chief/Chief of Training Moses Jefferies IV about his new role in training and the evolution of training in a young department and growing city, plus his “TIC for leadership” mindset. As the city of Nashville grows, building construction, operating guidelines and training practices have been evolved to keep up with myriad fire service challenges and he shares how the department keeps members trained for the next ...
Training Chief & TIC for Leadership - Moses Jefferies IV
February 20, 2024 12:01 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBPeter Matthews talks with recently promoted Nashville Fire Department Assistant Chief/Chief of Training Moses Jefferies IV about his new role in training and the evolution of training in a young department and growing city, plus his “TIC for leadership” mindset. As the city of Nashville grows, building construction, operating guidelines and training practices have been evolved to keep up with myriad fire service challenges and he shares how the department keeps members trained for the next ...
The Firehouse Yak #5 – Fire Chief AJ Kehl
February 07, 2024 11:00 - 58 minutes - 80.5 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by AJ Kehl, who currently serves as fire chief of the Misawa Air Base in Japan. Kehl, a Master Seargent, is an author and speaker who has worked in 75 countries. Kehl, talks about how military-trained firefighters manage their duties as both military soldiers and firefighters and how they manage training and duties for both roles. He also highlights skills and actions that the fire service has learned from the military, and attributes the m...
Military Firefighting & Leadership - AJ Kehl
February 07, 2024 11:00 - 58 minutes - 80.5 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by AJ Kehl, who currently serves as fire chief of the Misawa Air Base in Japan. Kehl, a Master Seargent, is an author and speaker who has worked in 75 countries. Kehl, talks about how military-trained firefighters manage their duties as both military soldiers and firefighters and how they manage training and duties for both roles. He also highlights skills and actions that the fire service has learned from the military, and attributes the m...
New Battalion Chief Lessons - Marc Aloan
January 23, 2024 12:04 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews sits down with Marc Aloan, who was recently promoted to battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department. Aloan, a champion of firefighting culture and tradition, talks about the transition from company officer to chief and shares what he has learned over the last couple months. The two talk about Aloan journey from the volunteer fire service and military to joining the career fire service and how experience and education prepared him for ...
The Firehouse Yak #4 - Battalion Chief Marc Aloan
January 23, 2024 12:04 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews sits down with Marc Aloan, who was recently promoted to battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department. Aloan, a champion of firefighting culture and tradition, talks about the transition from company officer to chief and shares what he has learned over the last couple months. The two talk about Aloan journey from the volunteer fire service and military to joining the career fire service and how experience and education prepared him for ...
Coffee with the Captain - Jake Henderson
January 10, 2024 20:57 - 54 minutes - 74.7 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews brings on Capt. Jake Henderson from the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department, who is currently assigned to Quint 24 on the city's east side. Henderson, a second-generation firefighter, runs coffee_with_the_captain, an Instagram account where he shares thought-provoking shares passages from books aimed to inspire firefighters, officers, chiefs and also in your off-duty life. On this show, Henderson shares his perspectives from the works of both popular and...
The Firehouse Yak #3 - Capt. Jake Henderson
January 10, 2024 20:57 - 54 minutes - 74.7 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews brings on Capt. Jake Henderson from the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department, who is currently assigned to Quint 24 on the city's east side. Henderson, a second-generation firefighter, runs coffee_with_the_captain, an Instagram account where he shares thought-provoking shares passages from books aimed to inspire firefighters, officers, chiefs and also in your off-duty life. On this show, Henderson shares his perspectives from the works of both popular and...
Successful Mentoring in the Fire Service - Jacob Johnson
January 10, 2024 13:37 - 52 minutes - 72.4 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Pearland, TX, Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Johnson about mentoring in the fire service. Johnson has been blazing the path to re-introduce mentoring to all ranks within the fire service and he shares his views on the best way to mentor, and how mentees can seek trusted coaches. Whether you are a veteran firefighter or officer, or a new relatively new member, Johnson shares practical advice on how to share wisdom and knowledge, coupled with c...
The Firehouse Yak #2 - Assistant Chief Jacob Johnson
January 10, 2024 13:37 - 52 minutes - 72.4 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Pearland, TX, Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Johnson about mentoring in the fire service. Johnson has been blazing the path to re-introduce mentoring to all ranks within the fire service and he shares his views on the best way to mentor, and how mentees can seek trusted coaches. Whether you are a veteran firefighter or officer, or a new relatively new member, Johnson shares practical advice on how to share wisdom and knowledge, coupled with c...
The Firehouse Yak #1 - Capt. Edward Tracey
January 10, 2024 13:11 - 55 minutes - 75.7 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by Edward Tracey, the captain of Rescue 11 at the Rochester, NY, Fire Department. Tracey, with 30 years in the fire service, has written for Firehouse and spoken at their events on topics including firefighter training. On this podcast, Tracey goes in-depth on this two recent articles about micro-learning and tips for enhancing company-level drills. The two discuss each rank of the fire service's role in education, how to create realistic...
Firefighter Training Today & in the Future - Edward Tracey
January 10, 2024 13:11 - 55 minutes - 75.7 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by Edward Tracey, the captain of Rescue 11 at the Rochester, NY, Fire Department. Tracey, with 30 years in the fire service, has written for Firehouse and spoken at their events on topics including firefighter training. On this podcast, Tracey goes in-depth on this two recent articles about micro-learning and tips for enhancing company-level drills. The two discuss each rank of the fire service's role in education, how to create realistic...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 19: Situational Awareness for Firefighters with Rich Gasaway
February 02, 2021 05:24 - 1 hour - 197 MBPeter Matthews talks with Dr. Rich Gasaway about what firefighters need to know about situational awareness in 2021. Gasaway, who retired at rank of fire chief after a 30-year career in the fire service, has studied situational awareness impacting firefighting operations that resulted in near-miss, injury and firefighter fatality incidents. The two discuss what firefighters working on today's fireground need to know and how they can avoid becoming a statistic.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 18: The Jersey Guys Talk Firefighter Training, Tactics & Leadership
February 02, 2021 05:14 - 59 minutes - 137 MBPeter Matthews talks with John Lewis and Robert Moran about training, tactics and leadership in today's fire service. Known as The Jersey Guys, Lewis, a retired lieutenant from Passaic, NJ, and Moran, currently fire chief in Brewster, MA, explain how firefighter training tactics has evolved since they began teaching. Having served in volunteer and career fire departments, the two discuss effective training, plus share tips share leadership tips for officers and chiefs. Find out more about th...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 17: Charles Werner on Drones in the Fire Service
February 02, 2021 05:01 - 47 minutes - 108 MBPeter Matthews talks with retired Fire Chief Charles Werner about how fire departments and other public safety agencies are deploying drones for countless operations.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 16: Talking Smart Firefighter Training with Demond Simmons
January 06, 2021 18:19 - 1 hour - 139 MBPeter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Demond Simmons about his article, "Smart Training and Firefighting." Simmons explains the basis for the article and concept, which explains the roles of "smart" and "aggressive" in educating firefighters. Also, a discussion on the role of company officers in encouraging their firefighters to work smarter on the fireground.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 15: Nashville Christmas Day Explosion with Fire Chief William Swann
January 06, 2021 14:31 - 35 minutes - 81.6 MBPeter Matthews talks with Nashville Fire Department Director/Chief William Swann about the Christmas Day explosion. Chief Swann shares how previous incidents and trainings with local, state and federal agencies allowed for a unified command to be established and operate smoothly after the bombing that damaged over 40 buildings. The two discuss the lessons Nashville Fire has learned from the Christmas Day explosion and the deadly March 2020 tornado and how important training and preparation a...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 14: Mike Daley on Nighttime Fireground Operations & Training
December 29, 2020 00:39 - 40 minutes - 93.4 MBPeter Matthews talks with longtime Firehouse contributor and speaker Lt. Mike Daley about his December magazine article on training and operating at night. Daley, who is a longtime fire instructor, explains the challenges firefighters encounter at night on the fireground or emergency scene and the need for training in after sunset. Get tips and tricks for training and operating safely and effectively and how to use the tools on your rig to help you see the real scene.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 13: Chad Costa on the 2020 Wildland Fire Season
December 29, 2020 00:32 - 53 minutes - 122 MBPeter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Chad Costa about working the front lines of 2020's devastating wildfires. Costa, from the City of Petaluma, CA, Fire Department, worked the the August Complex Fire - California's largest wildfire for several weeks. Costa explains decision-making at wildland incidents and the importance of communications in incident action plans. He also shares what happened when 2017's fires threatened his wife and children as he worked another incident.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 12: Community Service Award Winner Jonathan Baxter
December 29, 2020 00:22 - 1 hour - 176 MBPeter Matthews talks with Lt. Jonathan Baxter, the recipient of the 2019 Firehouse Thomas Carr Community Service Award. Baxter, who serves as the public information officer/homeland security operations for the San Francisco Fire Department, was nominated for his extraordinary outreach efforts on everything from fire prevention to surf safety. Baxter shares the incredible outreach the department has had during his time overseeing the efforts and how his law enforcement background has led to a...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 11: Firehouse Valor Award Winners Jason Beck & Jon Metz
December 28, 2020 23:56 - 52 minutes - 121 MBPeter Matthews talks with firefighters Jason Beck and Jon Metz about the harrowing incident that led them to be named the recipients of the 2019 Firehouse Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor. The two McCall, ID, firefighters arrived first to find a large debris field and a 20-foot wall of flames following a propane explosion that heavily entrapped a young girl. Hear how the two were able to rescue the girl and what role training played in the miraculous rescue.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 10: Chief Brian Helmick Discusses No Interior Attack Policy
August 03, 2020 13:13 - 59 minutes - 137 MBPeter Matthews talks with East Contra Costa, CA, Fire Protection District Fire Chief Brian Helmick about the recent policy limited interior fire attacks at structure fires. Helmick called the policy the toughest decision in his 20-plus year career, stating the district's funding model, which has not changed since the 1970s, only allows for three engines to over 250 square miles and creates long response times. Find out what led to the decision and how Helmick is working to improve the distri...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 9: D.C. Fire PIO Vito Maggiolo
August 03, 2020 02:06 - 56 minutes - 129 MBPeter Matthews talks with DC Fire and EMS Department Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo about his duties in Washington, D.C., where the media is always checking in. Maggiolo took the PIO position after retiring from a career at CNN where he covered everything from war and politics to natural disasters and local fire stories. In Washington, the media is always contacting him for seemingly routine incidents that can turn into worldwide news. Find out how Maggiolo, who grew up in New Yor...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 7: Minneapolis Fire Chief on Fires, Riots
June 17, 2020 20:02 - 1 hour - 151 MBPeter Matthews talks with Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel about the response involving protests and riots following George Floyd's death. Fruetel explains what firefighters encountered as dozens of fires burned throughout the city, including tactics, situational awareness working with the National Guard and law enforcement and he shares tips for fire departments who may also encounter similar incidents.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 8: Firefighter Struck by Car Shares Details on Incident, Lengthy Recovery
June 17, 2020 20:01 - 39 minutes - 89.3 MBPeter Matthews talks with Fort Worth, TX, firefighter Frank Becerra, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while working at a crash scene. Becerra, who was told he would not return to work, shares what he went through during his year-long recovery, a story about a second struck-by close call and thoughts on roadway safety.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 6: IL Preliminary Exposure Reduction Project
June 17, 2020 19:46 - 50 minutes - 116 MBPeter Matthews talks with Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Director Royal Mortenson and Deputy Director of Research Programs Richard Kesler about the rollout of the state's Exposure Reduction Project. The program provides fire departments with training and equipment to decontaminate PPE on the fireground in the effort to battle firefighter cancer.
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 5: IAFC's Gary Ludwig & COVID 19 Need-to-Knows
June 17, 2020 19:36 - 48 minutes - 111 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, who serves as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) about COVID-19 and the U.S. fire service. Ludwig and IAFC staff have been working with the White House and others in Washington, D.C., to get relief funding for fire and EMS agencies, including CARES, FIRE Act and SAFER programs. The IAFC has worked with Amazon to create an exclusive membership to purchase urgently needed equipment....
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 5: IAFC’s Gary Ludwig & COVID 19 Need-to-Knows
June 17, 2020 19:36 - 48 minutes - 111 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, who serves as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) about COVID-19 and the U.S. fire service. Ludwig and IAFC staff have been working with the White House and others in Washington, D.C., to get relief funding for fire and EMS agencies, including CARES, FIRE Act and SAFER programs. The IAFC has worked with Amazon to create an exclusive membership to purchase urgently needed equipment. ...
Today on Firehouse: Ep. 4: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 for Firefighters
June 17, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 141 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews hosts a panel to explore the mental stress on firefighters during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss what needs to be done in the future. Guests include Jeff Dill, executive director of the Firefighter Behavorial Health Alliance (FBHA); Ryan Gallik from The Mental Hygiene Project; and Covington, GA, Fire Department Chief Jeremy Holmes and Capt. Jeremy Mathis. Mathis shares what happened after his crew came in contact with a COVID-19 p...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 3: Maydays & More with Sean Eagen
June 17, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 140 MBPeter Matthews talks with Buffalo, NY, Fire Captain Sean Eagen about maydays. Within months, Eagen's former crew was involved in one mayday incident and Eagen himself called a mayday for a downed member and helped mitigate the incident. Eagen, who has over 20 years in the busy urban city of Buffalo, talks about the fire department and fire responses before detailing the two 2019 mayday incidents. The two discuss what Eagen and the department did following the incidents, including crews co...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 2: Tom Dunne’s New FDNY Memoir
June 17, 2020 19:28 - 1 hour - 176 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with retired FDNY Deputy Chief Tom Dunne about his new book, "Notes from the Fireground: Memoir of a New York Firefighter." Dunne's book looks back on his 33-year career with FDNY, where he retired as a deputy chief. The two talk about various chapters of the book, from learning how to become a fire officer without formal training to navigating FDNY's busiest years and responding to historical incidents. Following in his father's footsteps, D...
Today on Firehouse – Ep. 1: Behind the Fire Scene with John Salka
June 17, 2020 19:27 - 1 hour - 186 MBFirehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with retired FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka Jr. in the inagural episode of Today on Firehouse. Matthews and Salka discuss how Salka develops his backpage "The Fire Scene" column each month for Firehouse Magazine, and Salka reflects on some of his most memorable columns. Salka also shares stories from his 30-plus years with FDNY, including assignments in Squad 1 and Rescue 3, plus his time as a battalion chief in The Bronx. Salka explains how ...