Best FireRescue1 Podcasts (2024)

1
‘Push the gate’: Chief Kris Blume on mission-drive culture in action 1:05:34

4h ago1:05:34

1:05:34

“Does the job serve you, or do you serve the work?” Meridian (Idaho) Fire Chief Kris Blume wants us to consider our opportunity to serve the work every day, doing the things that don’t always get noticed because it’s the right thing to do in order to be excellent at the craft. But how do you engrain this mindset in the membership? It all comes back…

1
‘The most jarring transition’: Making the move from line to admin 1:10:07

3h ago1:10:07

1:10:07

“It all happened really, really fast,” recalls Eric Linnenburger, who learned while working a 48-hour shift on a Friday that he had been chosen as interim deputy chief of operations, starting Monday. Linnenburger, who had been a battalion chief in Westminster, Colorado, for several years, now finds himself making perhaps the most jarring transition…

1
‘Every skill has a shelf life’: Safety Stand Down spotlights back-to-basics fire training 54:23

5h ago54:23

54:23

“This is one week we’re giving ourselves,” Captain Jim Barnhart of the FDSOA underscores about participating in the Firefighter Safety Stand Down – a unique opportunity for fire and EMS departments to collectively suspend non-emergency activity to focus on this year’s theme, Fire Training: Back to Basics. Joining Barnhart to dig into all the traini…

1
‘I’m definitely not a quitter’: Kate Smith on EMS and obstacle racing as an amputee 54:07

22d ago54:07

54:07

“I absolutely do have bad days. I just make sure I don’t let myself give up.” EMT Kate Smith, who began her public safety journey as a junior firefighter and EMS explorer at 14, before becoming a below-the-knee amputee at 16, shares how EMS helped reveal an inner strength that propelled her to where she is today – working to complete paramedic scho…

1
‘The impact is generational’: An award-winning rescue provides perspective 1:00:49

25d ago1:00:49

1:00:49

It was a “constant state of readiness” that contributed to the successful rescue of an unconscious victim from a structure fire – an incident that ultimately earned Hilton Head Island (S.C.) Fire Rescue FAO Brendan Horlbeck, Lt. Sean Kavlick and Battalion Chief David Bell the 2023 IAFC Ben Franklin Award of Valor. Bell, Kavlick and Horlbeck detail …

1
‘A lot to absorb’: Here’s what you missed at FDIC 2024 50:36

1M ago50:36

50:36

“It’s about bells and whistles, but it’s also about smiles and connecting.” Another FDIC has come and gone, but our cohosts are joined by The Fire Store’s Amanda Keesey to talk conference highlights and which industry innovations garnered the most attention on the exhibit floor. Plus, we dig into all this: Emerging solutions for electric vehicle fi…

1
Corley Moore: ‘I understand how insidious and seductive complacency is’ 1:03:49

2M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

The Better Every Shift team is at FDIC this week, so we’re reaching into the vault to re-release one of our favorite episodes. Battalion Chief Corley Moore talks all things fire service culture, toxic leadership and how to fight your way back from complacency. Chief Moore – founder of Firehouse Vigilance and host of the Weekly Scrap podcast – detai…

1
Lt. Zam goes to Emmitsburg: Insights from a National Fire Academy first-timer 1:01:27

2M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

“Our mission is to support you in your mission.” Eriks Gabliks, superintendent of the National Fire Academy, joins the show to talk all things NFA programs and goals, and to hear about Zam’s first time visiting the campus and experiencing NFA life. Gabliks knocks down the top excuses firefighters give for why they can’t attend the academy and detai…

1
Stephanie White: 'Laughter is the simplest, cheapest thing we can give our firefighters' 57:43

2M ago57:43

57:43

“It’s about crew bonding and laughter in my firehouse – and apparently me being the butt of every joke.” Fairfax Firefighter-Paramedic Stephanie White details how she nurtures her relationship with her crew every shift, not just with laughter, but also by being vulnerable enough to have difficult conversations when needed. Plus, we dig into all thi…

1
‘We’re going (100 miles per week) streaking!’ with FF/ultra-runner Andy Glaze 51:26

3M ago51:26

51:26

Captain Andy Glaze is on a four-year streak of running 100+ miles per week, and while he’s not suggesting that all firefighters attempt the same feat, he does urge movement: “Movement is medicine.” Glaze shares his journey from drinking and smoking to becoming an ultra-marathon runner, and how physical fitness helped him manage his mental health. F…

1
‘Build your band’: Country music star Frank Ray on the power of peer support 54:11

3M ago54:11

54:11

“I saved George Strait’s life, and he doesn’t even know.” Country star Frank Ray shares that story and many more as he details his unique journey from law enforcement to the music scene. Ray recently visited more than 50 fire and police departments across the U.S. and Canada to spotlight first responder mental health, addressing the power of formin…

1
‘You saved Hawkeye’: Inside the Jeremy Renner snowplow incident response 39:32

3M ago39:32

39:32

“Every second mattered.” When actor Jeremy Renner was severely injured in a snowcat accident last year, Truckee Meadows Fire Rescue crews’ swift action and medical intervention played a crucial role in saving Renner's life. TMFR Firefighter-Paramedic Alex Hughes and Captain Greg Lompa join the show to share operational details from the call, plus w…

1
‘What is your learning culture?’: Chris Paskett details how to encourage idea-sharing 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

“Do your folks come to work expecting to learn something new? Or is it a surprise when they are asked to go to a class or a drill? That’s culture.” Battalion Chief Chris Paskett wants to create a culture of learning in the fire service, where organizational education is baked into the daily routine. He offers four (of 20!) areas where departments c…

1
‘Have a date on the calendar’: Joe De Sena’s pro-tip for staying motivated 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

Joe De Sena – the founder and CEO of the Spartan endurance sports brand – has long said his vision is “to get 100 million people healthy and off the couch,” and now he’s adding a million to that goal with his pledge of a free Spartan race to all firefighters. That’s right, De Sena made the big announcement during this week's show. De Sena’s a reali…

1
Chief Bryan Frieders: We need Super Bowl-level efforts to conquer firefighter cancer 1:08:08

4M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Chief Bryan Frieders is fired up about preventing occupational cancer – fired up to the point where he’s putting firefighters of all ranks on blast for not doing everything possible to prevent an often-preventable disease. He calls out firefighters for not wearing their SCBA, cleaning their gear and taking care of their health (“Why are we risking …

1
Rocco Alvaro: ‘Once you stop developing others, it’s time for you to leave’ 59:37

4M ago59:37

59:37

Fairfax County (Virginia) Battalion Chief Rocco Alvaro is passionate about professional development, but he wasn’t always on a clear path himself. In fact, it took a metaphorical “punch in the face” from a mentor for him to go back to school and walk the professional development walk – and he’s incredibly grateful for the punch. Alvaro joins Better…

1
‘Turn it up a notch’: Chief Keith Padgett on the power of higher education 54:24

4M ago54:24

54:24

“You’ll use it more than you’ll ever know,” Zam says about going back to school – and he would know, having recently started his own higher education journey. So this week, the Better Every Shift crew welcomes Chief Keith Padgett, the Fire and EMS Academic Program Director with Columbia Southern University, where Zam is currently taking classes, to…

1
Jason Patton: ‘I’m not making fun of people!’ 44:27

4M ago44:27

44:27

Jason Patton loves talking to people, even if it wasn’t always easy for him. The first firefighter-influencer of the YouTube viral video era explains his initial struggles with public speaking – the ultimate example of getting out of your comfort zone to make great things happen (think Fire Department Chronicles, among many other great ventures). T…

1
Spanish for firefighters: Make your communication skills excelente 48:43

5M ago48:43

48:43

¿Hablas español? If not, you’re going to want to tune in to this week’s show to learn some phrases that could come in handy on the incident scene. The impetus for this show: Zam was on a call where he found himself struggling to communicate with a patient who spoke Spanish. Always driven to improve, Zam sought out The Language Tutor for some help w…

1
Introducing the Resilient 50: Your back-to-basics health routine 1:05:55

5M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

Who doesn’t love a little healthy competition – the keyword there being healthy. Zam has created the Resilient 50 Challenge to help firefighters get real about getting healthy in the new year. It’s a back-to-basics approach that spans a spectrum of lifestyle habits, all designed to make you a more resilient firefighter. After all, health isn’t sole…

1
Dr. Glenn Landry: Firefighters can ‘shock the system’ back to a healthy sleep routine 1:00:39

5M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

If we do our jobs today, we’re going to help you get some much-needed sleep – hopefully after the show. Joining Better Every Shift this week is Dr. Glenn Landry, a sleep expert who specializes in shift work, detailing how firefighters can work at night without shifting circadian rhythms and disrupting critical sleep functions. We dig into all this:…

1
‘The podcast of misfit firefighters’ team reflects on 2023 1:09:48

5M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

“We’re a bunch of misfits, and we’re not alone,” Zam says of the dedicated listeners who are committed to making themselves better every shift, every year. Closing out 2023, the crew reflects on the top episodes of the year and what made them so memorable, plus the most popular content on FireRescue1. And don’t miss Zam and Janelle's “words for 202…

1
Curt Varone: Beware the ‘human equivalent of a lightweight wood truss building’ 1:13:27

6M ago1:13:27

1:13:27

"The lawsuit is coming from inside the firehouse.” Much like a horror film twist where the protagonist realizes the killer is already inside the house, far too many firefighters don’t realize that our biggest liabilities are sitting with us in the firehouse. Most fire service lawsuits involve a firefighter suing the fire department or another firef…

1
Li-ion battery fires: Barowy and Goldfeder tackle the ‘spaghetti’ of tactical considerations 54:50

6M ago54:50

54:50

“Just when I think I’m ready to handle any fire you throw my way, now this comes along.” Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder channels Al Pacino in “The Godfather” when discussing the complexities of lithium-ion battery fires with Adam Barowy, lead research engineer with UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute. Barowy and Goldfeder break down the science behin…

1
‘If you find yourself alone, start worrying’: Linda Willing shares advice for all FFs 1:11:35

6M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

Despite seemingly endless opportunities for connection, many firefighters find themselves more alone than ever, sometimes inadvertently, so we must double-down on our efforts to build connections and avoid silos that create division. Linda Willing – a retired career fire officer who works with departments on issues related to leadership, decision-m…

1
Chief Frank Leeb returns: Make yourself ‘difficult to injure, impossible to kill’ 1:12:55

6M ago1:12:55

1:12:55

To help Better Every Shift mark its milestone 1-year anniversary, our very first guest, FDNY Chief of Safety Frank Leeb, returns to the show to talk all things leadership, safety and training – including the critical mindset that “we owe it to our loved ones to be better every day to make sure that we are making ourselves difficult to injure and im…

1
Fire up the festivities: 5 great gifts for your crew 43:04

7M ago43:04

43:04

’Tis the season for gratitude – and gift-giving! And today’s show is all about both. We’re gearing up for the holidays by sharing some great firefighter gift ideas. These products are all available on TheFireStore.com to whom we are exceedingly grateful, as they are a generous sponsor of the podcast. Guiding us through our gift options is Amanda Ke…

1
‘We are anti-fragile’: How firefighters can get stronger through challenges 1:03:24

7M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Today’s episode digs into a variety of psychological concepts that impact firefighter work and home life, all courtesy of Dr. Derrick Edwards, a nearly 20-year fire service veteran who also serves as a professional counselor and a mental health service provider. Dr. Edwards introduces a lot of new terms and concepts, including anti-fragile, psyche …

1
‘I connect the dots’: Joe Minogue on the power of relationship-building 1:07:55

7M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

FDNY Lt. (ret.) Joe Minogue – “my guy Joe!” as Zam likes to say – joins Better Every Shift to offer a window into his innate ability to connect people – firefighters, families, friends, really anyone. If you need a connection, Joe’s your guy, too. Minogue currently serves as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation liaison to the FDNY and the Ph…

1
‘I held it in for so long’: Lauran McColloh shares the story of her first fire – a double LODD 49:01

7M ago49:01

49:01

No one thought she’d stay. Lauran McColloh was a new firefighter, just 18 years old, facing a double-LODD incident – on her very first fire. What’s more: One of the fallen firefighters was her friend Victor Isler. But McColloh didn’t consider quitting; firefighting was her dream. Now a Salisbury FD battalion chief, McCulloh joins Better Every Shift…

1
‘We’re all engineers’: Chief Randall Hanifen talks IFE-USA influence 47:20

7M ago47:20

47:20

Self-described “pracademic” Dr. Randall Hanifen knows two languages – academic speak and boots-on-the-ground speak – a skill he uses to bridge the gap between the more theoretical university world and our practical fireground experiences. This is one of the many talents he’s honed during his work with the Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch fo…

1
‘Please don’t turn me away’: Ben Vernon on seeking help post-stabbing — Part 2 1:12:10

8M ago1:12:10

1:12:10

Part 2 of our interview with Ben Vernon includes descriptions of violence and suicidal ideation that may be triggering for some, as well as explicit language. Please listen with caution. For months after being stabbed on the job – a “routine” medical call gone wrong – Ben Vernon was in a world of hurt, unable to sleep due to constant nightmares, ba…

1
‘This is a kill shot’: Captain Ben Vernon details his attempted murder on the job — Part 1 59:20

8M ago59:20

59:20

Please note, this episode includes descriptions of violence that may be triggering for some, as well as explicit language. “To witness in real time an attempted murder is pretty intense,” says San Diego Fire-Rescue Captain Ben Vernon recalling the first time he saw slow-motion body camera footage of his own stabbing during a seemingly “routine” med…

1
‘I’ve never been lonely at the top’: Chief John Butler talks team building 1:01:32

8M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

IAFC President John Butler – “the chief of chiefs!” – joins Better Every Shift this week, talking all things leadership, including why the adage “It’s lonely at the top” has never applied to him. In addition to his superpower of always seeming calm, cool and collected, the Fairfax County fire chief has a knack for being able to spot talent and know…

1
‘I don’t want rules-followers’: Brian Fennessy champions intent-driven firefighters 1:13:49

8M ago1:13:49

1:13:49

Don’t get the wrong idea here. “Rules are important,” says Orange County (California) Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy; however, firefighters need to be trusted to make smart decisions when things go awry in the world of chaos around us – and this trust is best achieved through an intent-driven culture where members understand the organizational…

1
‘I’m going to change this department if it kills me’: Thomas Bell talks culture change 1:00:00

8M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

If Chief Thomas Bell of the Greensburg (Pa.) Volunteer Fire Department had a nickel for every time someone remarked that he had some “big shoes to fill” after taking the reins from a local legend who had 60-plus years on the job, well, he’d have a lot of nickels. But the new chief had a simple plan – being himself. Bell vowed to create his own dest…

1
‘This podcast is worth millions’: Jerry Brant explains how to secure FD funding 51:55

9M ago51:55

51:55

Chief Jerry Brant – the 70-million-dollar man – joins the show this week, explaining the role that all firefighters play in the grants process, what application reviewers are looking for this year, plus common grant proposal mistakes. (And yes, Brant has indeed written more than $70 million in successful grant applications in his career, some for F…

1
Fire Prevention Week prep: Plug-and-play messaging you can use today 49:45

9M ago49:45

49:45

We’re not going to Stop, Drop and Roll over on our fire prevention messages; we’re going to embrace them with open arms to create simple but effective calls to action that can make a difference in your community. Helping us in this effort is Andrea Vastis, senior director for public education with the NFPA, which runs Fire Prevention Week™, coming …

1
Remembering 9/11: Legacy, vigilance and cohesiveness 37:38

9M ago37:38

37:38

This episode of the Better Every Shift EMS podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network for first responders on the front lines. Learn more at verizon.com/frontline. In this special crossover episode of the Better Every Shift, Policing Matters and Inside EMS podcasts, co-hosts Aaron Zamzow, Jim Dudley and Chris Cebollero discuss …

1
‘The better we are, the better we serve’: Common themes from 40 shows 56:01

9M ago56:01

56:01

“Oh, the leaders we’ve talked to!” Better Every Shift marks 40 episodes with a walk down memory lane, hitting the common themes that have emerged from discussions with fire service leaders. Listen in as Janelle challenges Zam to a friendly game of “Who said it?” along with reflections on top lessons learned along the way. This episode of the Better…

1
‘It’s the same circus with different clowns’: Gordon Graham talks universal FD problems 1:07:43

10M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

The man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Gordon Graham joins the show this week talking all things risk management, the study of bad outcomes, plus the power of policy and systems in reducing risk for your members – and of course he does it all with the perfect anecdotes that put it all in perspective. We dig into all of this: The #1 question he asks whe…

1
Chief John Oates: ”Can we just retire the ‘it’s a generational thing’ mindset?” 1:02:13

10M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

For all the boomers to Gen Z firefighters out there, today’s episode digs into critical questions: Do generational differences even exist, and why are we so intent on defining people by the year they were born? Chief John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI), shares his perspective on the issue with Zam and Janelle. …

1
‘We can’t read your mind’: Ben Thompson urges firefighters to speak up about stress 51:53

10M ago51:53

51:53

The newly released What Firefighters Want in 2023 survey special coverage highlights a perfect storm of stressors facing the fire service. On today’s show, Battalion Chief Ben Thompson expands on his article “'Buyer beware’: A message from stressed-out firefighters,” encouraging members to speak up about their stressors and offering guidance for le…

1
‘Make THIS place better’: Kris Kazian’s advice to frustrated firefighters 1:02:09

10M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

It’s easy to sit around the kitchen table complaining about your agency’s lack of leadership or what you’ve heard about how much better it is at some other department. But when faced with a bad situation, you do have a choice. On this week’s Better Every Shift podcast, Chief Kris Kazian urges members to take action to lead up, foster a positive env…

1
LACoFD firefighter details ‘surreal experience’ appearing on ‘LA Fire & Rescue’ 37:33

11M ago37:33

37:33

Better Every Shift welcomes a fire service celebrity to the show this week. Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) Firefighter-Paramedic Mike Anderson, one of the firefighters featured on NBC’s new docuseries “LA Fire & Rescue,” shares an inside look at his experience having his work world chronicled for the show. This week’s episode, “Three A…

1
Chief Todd LeDuc: ‘Your risk becomes everyone’s risk’ 59:28

11M ago59:28

59:28

When it comes to firefighter health, personal risks can quickly translate to dangers for the entire crew. We must look out for each other, not only on the fireground but also with our health and wellbeing. That’s the message from Chief Todd LeDuc, chief strategy officer for Life Scan Wellness Centers, as he highlights the personal and organizationa…

1
‘Just call people out’: Dr. Candace Ashby on defeating toxicity at the firehouse 1:00:33

11M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Indianapolis Battalion Chief Dr. Candace Ashby takes an honest, humor-driven tell-it-like-it-is approach to leadership, urging company officers, and really all members, to call out bad behavior when they see it. Imagine the tone shift and culture change possible, she says, if company officers told their members to, “Pull your head out of your ass a…

1
Chief Jim Keiken: ‘You have to periodically reinvent yourself’ 1:11:39

11M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

It all comes full circle on this episode of the podcast, as we are joined by IFSI Director Jim Keiken, the man ultimately responsible for unleashing Zam on the fire service. Keiken hired Zam at the Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department – just one example of his ability to mentor new firefighters and set them up for success. Following his time in Madi…

1
Corley Moore: ‘If you’re not having fun doing this job, you are doing it wrong’ 58:05

11M ago58:05

58:05

It’s another high-energy, passion-fueled podcast, as Battalion Chief Corley Moore joins Zam and Janelle to dissect fire service culture, toxic leadership and how to fight your way back from complacency. Chief Moore – founder of Firehouse Vigilance and host of the Weekly Scrap podcast – details his own evolution from struggling with complacency to s…

1
‘A flowchart mindset’: UL FSRI researchers talk dynamic decisions on the fireground 49:39

12M ago49:39

49:39

The highly complex, dynamic nature of the fireground makes adaptive thinking particularly vital for firefighters and incident commanders. Our guests on this podcast – Keith Stakes and Craig Weinschenk, UL Fire Safety Research Institute research engineers – break down how to incorporate such critical thinking into training, plus the importance of us…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

FireRescue1 Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide