Best Firesafety Podcasts (2024)

1
Hoarding Risk-Reduction Strategies 49:41

6h ago49:41

49:41

Residential hoarding poses numerous dangers and fire risks for residents and firefighters, yet communities have struggled to find meaningful solutions. Today on the podcast, two of North America’s most prominent hoarding researchers join us to talk about the causes and trendlines of hoarding (2:08), as well as the latest risk reduction strategies t…

1
Interview with Expert Mediator, Christina Knorr 9:24

21d ago9:24

9:24

In this episode we speak to fire safety engineer, special expert witness and accredited mediator, Christina Knorr, discuss a topic crucial to both the legal and construction world - Fire safety expert determination and mediation in construction disputes. CJK Fire & Safety Engineering https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au Disclaimer The material and infor…

1
Moral Injury and Suicide 41:39

24d ago41:39

41:39

In most years, more firefighters die by suicide than from accidents or injuries that happen in the line of duty, according to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. It’s well understood that PTSD is a huge contributor to the problem, but recently a new concept called moral injury has also become recognized as a significant factor. Today on the…

1
What to Know About CO 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Each year, accidental carbon monoxide poisonings cause at least 430 deaths in the U.S., and send more than 100,000 people to emergency rooms, according to the CDC. Studies have found that the number of accidental CO deaths has increased over the last decade. Today on the podcast, we speak to Richard Roberts, a member of several NFPA committees on c…

1
Doing It Right: Energy Storage and Solar Installs 38:18

2M ago38:18

38:18

As the number of energy storage and photovoltaic systems being installed across the world continues to rise dramatically, so does the need for trained professionals to ensure that these systems are reliable and safe for decades to come. Today on the podcast, we discuss the various codes and standards needed for the proper installation and maintenan…

1
Where is AI Headed? 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

We wrap up our two-parter about how AI technologies might impact fire and life safety by talking with Xinyan Huang, a fire protection engineer, professor, and AI researcher at the Research Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He tells us about a few of the AI tools he and his colleagues are developing and how they…

1
Grenfell Tower Fire - A catastrophe that changed the world 7:52

2M ago7:52

7:52

Grenfell Testimony Week was held in January 2024, so in this latest CJK Fire & Safety Education podcast we discuss Grenfell Tower fire. This 25-story residential block located in London, became the site of one of the deadliest fires in modern British history, claiming the lives of 72 people and leaving physical and psychological scars on hundreds m…

1
Artificial Intelligence and the Fire Service 41:31

3M ago41:31

41:31

Today’s podcast is the first in a two-part series looking at how artificial intelligence technologies could impact fire and life safety. In this episode, we focus on AI’s potential impact on the fire service. How might fire departments use AI? What are the dangers? What guardrails need to be in place to ensure that the technology is reliable and sa…

1
How Good Filing Practices Save You Money 9:10

3M ago9:10

9:10

Fire safety documents and the importance of good filing. In this podcast we discuss the importance of filing documents accurately and promptly for legal proceedings and in the context of fire safety. Each state in Australia has its own building legislation and regulations regarding fire safety documents. To ensure compliance and safety, it is impor…

1
Sustainability vs. Fire Protection 40:25

3M ago40:25

40:25

Lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic panels are technologies that may improve environmental sustainability, but also present challenges to fire protection engineers. Conversely, chemical flame retardants may lead to better fire outcomes, but also have potentially serious impacts on human health and the environment. Today on the podcast, we talk a…

1
Short-Term Rentals: Risky Business 39:28

4M ago39:28

39:28

From elevators that can decapitate you to grills that can explode in your face, short-term rental properties aren’t short on things that can hurt you—or worse. In fact, short-term rental safety expert Justin Ford calls these properties the most dangerous sector of the travel and hospitality industry. In this episode, we sit down with Ford to discus…

1
Re-Thinking Wildfire 50:06

4M ago50:06

50:06

As destruction from wildfire in the U.S. continues to set records, it’s become abundantly clear that the country’s current strategies are not working. But what should we be doing differently? Over the past year, a wildfire commission, comprised of 50 experts from a range of fields, met to try and answer that incredibly complicated question. In Sept…

1
Trauma and Risk 39:40

5M ago39:40

39:40

It’s well understood that childhood trauma can have dramatic effects on a person’s adult life, and in recent years, risk prevention experts have started to recognize it as a sizeable contributor to both individual and community risk. Today on the podcast, we talk to a director at the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center about the role that chi…

1
The Economic Impact of Fire Departments 38:31

5M ago38:31

38:31

At budget time, fire departments are listed as a cost on the city ledger, but that’s only part of the story. Firefighting and fire prevention also provide huge returns on investment by saving lives, buildings, businesses, and jobs. Is there a way to quantify these economic and social impacts? On today’s podcast, we talk to a Montreal fire chief who…

1
Lacrosse Fire Melbourne - First Australian ACP Cladding Fire 2014 20:55

6M ago20:55

20:55

Buckle in in as we discuss all there is to know about the 2014 Melbourne Lacrosse Fire case, liability and appeal. This case has highlighted the importance of contracts and liability. In Australia, there are still many buildings that were constructed with ACP cladding and so these cladding litigation cases will not be ending any time soon. CJK Fire…

1
Heat, the Silent Killer 53:15

6M ago53:15

53:15

Heatwaves aren't just uncomfortable; they are deadly for millions of people around the globe each year. Recognizing this growing threat, governments and safety departments are starting to reconsider their vulnerabilities to heat and are taking action to protect their populations and infrastructure. Today on the podcast, we talk to Eleni Myrivili, w…

1
The Survivors, Part 5: “Never Again” 22:37

7M ago22:37

22:37

We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In the final episode, the van Dijks and other survivors want their experience to be the catalyst for the inclusion of fire sprinklers in all new homes. However, a powerful group has spent serious dollars preventing that from happening.…

1
The 2012 Bankstown Fire & Changing Legislation 11:12

7M ago11:12

11:12

It does not take a large event to spark a frenzy of legislative reform. However, a single unit fire in 2012 established amendments in over five New South Wales statutes and authorative bodies. However, reform is rendered almost useless if it is not abided by. In this episode we discuss a summary of the tragic Bankstown unit fire that occurred in 20…

1
The Survivors, Part 4: “Back into the Lion’s Den” 30:26

7M ago30:26

30:26

We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 4, upsetting his family, Feike joins the fire service and places himself into one of America’s deadliest places for fire: homes. Fire service and safety advocates discuss today’s home fire problem and why the fire dynamics of new homes are a…

1
Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention at Symposium 8 33:16

8M ago33:16

33:16

Symposium 8 Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction is approaching. The event is scheduled for February 20-24, 2024 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. There are many great model programs and topics planned for the event, including several highlighting risk reduction strategies and education focused on the concern of Youth Firesetting. In this episod…

1
The Survivors, Part 3: “Refinement by Fire” 33:22

8M ago33:22

33:22

We are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series that NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 3, the van Dijk's emotional scarring from the fire seems to have taken a larger toll on the family than their physical injuries. They learn new coping tactics, as have many others impacted by home fire. But everyday has its challenges.…

1
Symposium 8 - the leading CRR event in the U.S. 28:45

8M ago28:45

28:45

Steve Hrustich, Project Manager with the Vision 20/20 Executive Committee talks with Monica Colby, Fire and Life Safety Specialist, about Symposium 8. Vision 20/20’s Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction Symposium is the longest- running Community Risk Reduction (CRR) event in the nation and is known as the most interactive and forward-thin…

1
The Survivors, Part 2: “The Aftermath” 32:49

9M ago32:49

32:49

For the next five NFPA Podcast episodes we are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning podcast series NFPA first published in 2017. In Part 2, impacted by the death of their two boys, the van Dijks go through the painstaking process of healing their physical injuries from a home fire. U.S. burn care experts weigh in on the prevalence and outcom…

1
The Survivors, Part 1: “One of 367,000” 26:30

9M ago26:30

26:30

For the next five NFPA Podcast episodes we are replaying "The Survivors," an award-winning five-part podcast series that first ran in 2017. In part 1, Feike and Noelle van Dijk’s sense of normalcy is shattered when a home fire killed two of their children in 2014. Three years after the incident, the family gives a rarely seen look at the lingering …

1
Case study: Strata Plan 92450 v JKN Para 1 and Anor 11:55

9M ago11:55

11:55

In this podcast we discuss some very interesting aspects of one of the most recent significant construction litigations – Strata Plan 92450 v JKN Para 1 and Anor. Read the case study here >> https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au/strata-plan-92450-v-jkn-para-1/ CJK Fire & Safety Engineering https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au Disclaimer The material and infor…

1
A Battery in Every Garage? 51:02

10M ago51:02

51:02

Few topics are as hot right now in the fire service as consumer lithium-ion batteries. While electric vehicles and e-bikes still get the bulk of attention, residential energy storage system (ESS) installations are also starting to skyrocket as homeowners realize the value of storing their solar power and having a reliable source of backup electrici…

1
How Virtual Reality Is Changing Firefighter Training 33:05

10M ago33:05

33:05

Incredible advancements are being made around using virtual reality to bolster firefighter training. Some fire departments are even using VR to educate the public about fire safety. Today on the podcast, we talk to Ken Willette, executive director of the North American Fire Training Directors, about what’s available on the market now, where the tec…

1
Fire Engineering and the role of the Fire Brigades 4:52

10M ago4:52

4:52

When a new fire engineering Performance Solution is discussed, fire engineers are often asked questions such as “Do we need to refer the solution to the fire brigade?”, “What if the fire brigade does not accept this solution?” or “Will fire brigade sign-off on it?” Enrol in the online course here >> https://cjkfireandsafety.com.au/courses/role-of-f…

1
Is 911 In Trouble? 37:27

11M ago37:27

37:27

In the United States, when someone calls 911 the call is routed to an operator at a public safety answering point, or PSAP. But news outlets across the country are finding that local PSAPs are struggling, and that 911 callers are waiting longer to get help. Today on the podcast, we speak to a researcher who just surveyed dozens of PSAPs to find out…

1
Grilling Safety 31:35

11M ago31:35

31:35

An estimated 75 million households in the United States will fire up their grills this Memorial Day weekend. For most, the worst that will happen is a few burned hot dogs. But each year, about 22,000 people in the U.S. go to hospital emergency rooms with injuries related to grilling. Today on the podcast, we talk to NFPA’s director of public educat…

1
Can We End Cancer in the Fire Service? 41:59

12M ago41:59

41:59

Last month, the U.S. federal government launched the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer—the largest project ever undertaken to better understand and reduce the risk of cancer among firefighters. Today on the podcast, we talk to the leader of this effort, Dr. Kenny Fent (2:40). He tells us what the Firefighter Registry is, how it will work, an…

1
Falls, Fires, and Older Adults 39:41

12M ago39:41

39:41

Falls and fires kill and injure more older adults than many people realize. Not only are seniors twice as likely as the general population to experience a fatal fire, they suffer an estimated 36 million falls each year in the U.S., resulting in 8 million injuries. On today’s podcast, we talk to Dori Krahn, a community relations coordinator with the…

1
Giving Dampers Their Due 37:28

1y ago37:28

37:28

Dampers are usually hidden away in ducts or ceiling cavities and seldom get much attention, but they’re a critical part of the fire protection strategy for many buildings. In a new Code Corner, NFPA Engineer Shawn Mahoney gives us a rundown of the different types of dampers, how they work, and what NFPA standards say (1:31). Then, we are joined by …

1
Diversity and the Fire Service 47:44

1y ago47:44

47:44

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three words that have quickly risen priority lists at fire departments across the world in recent years. While most agree on the importance of having a diverse and inclusive workforce, what do those words actually mean in practice for the fire service? Why has DEI increasingly become such an emphasis, and what d…

1
The Persistent Problem of Construction Fires 34:09

1y ago34:09

34:09

The latest data from NFPA shows that the number of fires in buildings under construction has been steadily rising over the past several years. On average, US fire departments respond to nearly a dozen such fires every single day. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Carr, the NFPA staff liaison to NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction…

1
A Better Fit For Female Firefighters 37:48

1y ago37:48

37:48

About 80 percent of female firefighters say that their personal protective clothing doesn’t fit right, and studies show that ill-fitting gear puts women at greater risk of being injured on the job. Today on the podcast, we talk to two textile researchers who measured dozens of female firefighters as part of a multi-year project on turnout gear for …

1
America’s First Paramedics 53:38

1y ago53:38

53:38

In his stunning new book, American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics, former paramedic Kevin Hazzard explores the largely forgotten history of the Freedom House Ambulance Service. Hazzard joined the podcast to talk about his book, the early beginnings of EMS, and how a dedicated group of men from a …

1
A New Fire Protection Handbook, 15 Years in the Making 34:53

1y ago34:53

34:53

Today on the podcast we examine one of NFPA’s oldest and most significant publications, the Fire Protection Handbook. Guests Nick Dawe, a fire marshal in Georgia, and Casey Grant, a fire protection engineering consultant and longtime NFPA employee, discuss what the FPH means to them and what’s new in the new edition. It’s been 15 years since the la…

1
Heating or Eating: The Fire Risks of Inflation 49:09

1+ y ago49:09

49:09

As cold weather begins to move into the northern latitudes, families all over the world are struggling with high heating bills, leading some to make desperate choices that can dramatically increase fire risks. On today’s podcast, a prevention officer and public health expert from the United Kingdom’s National Fire Chiefs Council share the work bein…

1
Vision 20/20 in 2023 & CRR Week 1:01:03

1+ y ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Steve Hrustich, Project Manager with the Vision 20/20 Executive Committee shares updates about the project moving into 2023. Topics include: The relaunch of CRR Radio and what to expect moving forward Rebranding and a fresh new website at StrategicFire.org Champions & Emerging Leaders Strategic Business Alliance Group Discovery Data Hub Grant deliv…

1
Riding the Tailboard 28:50

1+ y ago28:50

28:50

We are ringing in the New Year by rerunning one of our favorite episodes of all time, which originally aired in January 2017. It might seem strange now, but firefighters dying from falling off fire trucks used to be a huge problem—from 1977 to 1987, an average of nearly four firefighters died this way each year. That all changed after the 1987 publ…

1
The Rising Dangers of Home Fires 35:04

1+ y ago35:04

35:04

Believe it or not, a reported home fire in the US today is more likely to be fatal than it was in 1980. In fact, a new NFPA report reveals that the number of fire deaths per 1,000 reported home fires has risen 13 percent over the last 40 years. On today’s podcast, we talk to NFPA’s director of research and its vice president of Outreach and Advocac…

1
Cooking Fires and Turkey Fryers 44:00

1+ y ago44:00

44:00

Shockingly, cooking fires now kill more people on average per year in the US than they did in the 1980s. As Thanksgiving nears, we are re-airing this episode from November 2020 looking at this growing problem. First, Jesse talks to an NFPA communications manager about cooking fire causes and the resources available for prevention educators (1:57). …

1
Babcock Ranch and the Future of Resilient Design 43:59

1+ y ago43:59

43:59

When hurricane Ian tore through Florida in September, it left a trail of destruction—but not at Babcock Ranch, a 2,000-home development designed to be both sustainable and to withstand the worst natural disasters. Today on the podcast, we speak to an engineer who lives in and helped design Babcock Ranch about the community’s unique features, as wel…

1
Flame Retardant Chemicals in Furniture 31:42

1+ y ago31:42

31:42

For years, flame retardant chemicals have presented a catch 22. When applied to furniture they can help prevent fire ignition and potentially save lives, however, many scientists believe the chemicals are harmful to both human health and the environment. Today on the podcast, we talk to pair of experts about the ongoing debate over the use of flame…

1
Energy, Climate, and California Burning 33:40

1+ y ago33:40

33:40

A new book called California Burning details Pacific Gas & Electric’s 117-year rise to becoming one of the largest utilities in the United States—as well as how the company’s negligence, a changing climate, and state energy policy have all contributed to devastating wildfires in California. Today on the podcast, we welcome the book’s author, Wall S…

1
The Future of Fire Investigation 28:48

1+ y ago28:48

28:48

Thirty years ago, NFPA released NFPA 921, the world’s first comprehensive guide on fire and explosion investigation. Since then, the profession has advanced leaps and bounds. However, a recent report on the profession argues that fire investigation can still be more art than science, with a lack of consistency, no system of peer review, and no high…

1
Fire on Campus: Turning Pain into Purpose 52:34

1+ y ago52:34

52:34

On January 19, 2000, Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos, then 18- year- old freshman roommates at Seton Hall University, were severely burned when the residence hall they lived in caught fire. The blaze, one of the worst at a college campus in US history, killed three students and injured more than 50 others. Shawn and Alvaro now travel the country spe…

1
The New Foams 39:56

1+ y ago39:56

39:56

For more than 50 years, firefighters have relied on aqueous film forming foam—better known as AFFF—to quickly and effectively put out dangerous liquid fuel fires. However, due to health and environmental concerns, AFFF is now being rapidly phased out across the world. On today’s podcast, we talk with one of the world’s leading researchers on firefi…

1
The Dangers of Wildfire Smoke Inhalation 35:55

1+ y ago35:55

35:55

As the number and severity of wildfires increase in many parts of the world, experts have concerns over what the health impacts of wildfire smoke inhalation might be. In today’s episode, we hear from three researchers who are studying that topic by exposing mice to wildland fire smoke. So far, their research suggests inhaling wildfire smoke can lea…

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