Fire Engineering Podcast Network

Episoder

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  Ground Ladder Operations: Training, Maintenance, and Firefighter Safety 15.10.2026 46min

  Are your ground ladders ready when seconds count? Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka discuss portable ladder maintenance, single-firefighter deployment, proper climbing angles, and proactive ladder placement to improve fireground safety. They also explore how historic fires, including the Great Chicago Fire, shaped fire prevention practices and modern building codes.This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com
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  Becoming a Better Fire Service Instructor: Teaching, Feedback, and Leadership 13.10.2026 1t 8min

  What separates a good fire service instructor from a great one? It takes more than experience, rank, or knowing the drill manual. Great instructors know how to connect with students, deliver constructive feedback, and build the next generation of firefighters.In this episode of Talkin’ Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Sam Villani, and Robert “RJ” James share lessons from their careers in fire service training, from the station drill ground to national conferences. They discuss the mindset, communication skills, and teaching techniques that help instructors become more effective educators.In this episode:Fire Service Instructor Development: Making the transition from experienced firefighter to effective educator.Constructive Feedback: Correcting mistakes calmly without relying on yelling or ego.Training New Recruits: Adapting your teaching style to different students and environments.Instructor Leadership: Why humility, passion, and a willingness to learn matter.Mentorship and Legacy: Honoring the instructors who shaped their careers and reflecting on the lasting impact of 9/11.Whether you're a fire academy instructor, company officer, training officer, or firefighter looking to share your knowledge, this conversation offers practical insights for becoming a stronger teacher and helping elevate the fire service.Subscribe to Fire Engineering for more firefighter training, tactical discussions, leadership insights, and fire service education.#TalkinTactics #FirefighterTraining #FireServiceThis episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com
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  Fireground Hydraulics and Water Supply: LDH, Hydrant Hookups, and Drafting 14.10.2026 1t 5min

  How do you ensure an adequate water supply at a major commercial fire? On The Humpday Hangout, host Clark Lamping joins chiefs Dan Shaw, Brent Brooks, Jimmy Davis, and Daryl Liggins, along with Andy Soccodato, author of Water Thievery, to discuss fireground hydraulics and water supply operations. The panel examines friction loss in large-diameter hose (LDH), heavy hydrant hookups, multiple supply lines, four-way valves, drafting challenges, and mobile water supply equipment. They also discuss why incident commanders must recognize when to increase water supply capacity as fire conditions evolve. This episode offers practical considerations for firefighters, company officers, and incident commanders responsible for effective fireground water delivery.Key Hose is dedicated to the manufacture and delivery of the highest quality fire hose products, combining the best in raw materials with expert craftsmanship.Sponsored by Key Hose: www.keyhose.com
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  Mayday Monday: Managing Command Stress and Tactical Gaps 12.10.2026 1t 27min

  In this episode of Mayday Monday, Tony Carroll revisits the fatal fire in Howard County (MD), that claimed the life of firefighter Nate Flynn. Retired Incident Commander Chuck Ridgely joins to discuss what happened on the fireground and what the incident can teach firefighters about command, communication, and decision making under stress.Ridgely walks through the challenges commanders faced during the incident, including conflicting information about the building, delays with the water supply, and limited visibility between different sides of the structure. He also discusses how command routines, tracking tools, and practiced procedures can help keep operations moving when conditions start to overwhelm the incident commander.The conversation also looks at task saturation, the physical effects of stress, and what happens to decision making when a firefighter's heart rate and stress level climb. Carroll also covers box breathing as this episode's survival skill drill.This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com
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  Perspectives on Leadership: Building a System for Firefighter Mental Health 09.10.2026 1t 3min

  Firefighter mental health cannot rest entirely on the individual. In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, Deputy Chief Stephen Shaw talks with Dr. Kellie O’Dare, research associate professor and deputy executive director at UCF RESTORES, about suicide prevention, mental health, and the role fire departments play in supporting their members.O’Dare discusses research connecting 30 years of Florida Department of Health data with firefighter certification records and explains what that data can tell us about suicide risk in the fire service. She also introduces the Zero Suicide Framework, a seven part approach that gives organizations a framework for supporting firefighters throughout their careers, including the transition into retirement.Shaw and O’Dare discuss practical ways departments can move beyond good intentions and build mental health support into the organization itself. They also talk about coping strategies, work-life balance, communication, stigma, and creating a culture where firefighters can ask for help before reaching a crisis point.Perspectives on Leadership is produced by Fire Engineering, devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877.This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com
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  Rethinking Fire Service Metrics: Measuring Saves, Not Just Losses 08.10.2026 1t 3min

  Fire departments have traditionally measured outcomes by what was lost: civilian deaths, injuries, and property damage. But what happens when departments start measuring what firefighters saved?In this episode, we examine the shift toward positive fire service metrics, including firefighter rescues, lives saved, property protected, and the financial value of fire department operations. Newer initiatives such as the Firefighter Rescue Survey are helping capture outcomes that traditional reporting systems often overlooked.The conversation also looks at how departments can use data to demonstrate their return on investment, including the value of protected property and ISO rating savings. For fire service leaders facing budget pressure, staffing challenges, and questions from city councils, these metrics can provide a much stronger picture of what a department delivers to its community.Topics covered:• Why traditional fire service metrics focus so heavily on loss• Tracking firefighter rescues and positive outcomes• Measuring the value of property protected• Using ISO savings to demonstrate community return on investment• How data can support staffing and funding decisions• Building a stronger case for fire department resourcesSubscribe for more fire service leadership, training, and operational insight from Fire Engineering.This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com
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  NFPA 1750: The New Fire Service Standard Every Chief Should Understand 07.10.2026 40min

  What does NFPA 1750 mean for your fire department?In this episode, Eddie Buchanan sits down with retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Dave Downey to discuss the fire service's newly consolidated standard, NFPA 1750: Standard for Emergency Response and Deployment.They explore why multiple legacy NFPA standards were combined into a single document and what the changes mean for fire department leaders, fire chiefs, and emergency services agencies across the country.Topics discussed include:✅ Changes to ERF (Effective Response Force) staffing requirements✅ Risk-based deployment and response planning✅ The new unit reliability benchmark✅ The consolidation of previous NFPA standards into NFPA 1750✅ Using NFPA 1750 to justify staffing, apparatus, and resource needs✅ How chiefs can leverage the standard in budget discussions and boardroom presentationsWhether you're a fire chief, company officer, city manager, municipal leader, firefighter, or EMS administrator, understanding NFPA 1750 is critical for making informed decisions about emergency response, deployment, staffing, and community risk reduction.Subscribe for more conversations on fire service leadership, fire department operations, firefighter safety, EMS, staffing, deployment, standards, and emergency response management.This podcast is brought to you by Esri: https://www.esri.com/en-us/homeWhat does NFPA 1750 mean for your fire department?In this episode, Eddie Buchanan sits down with retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Dave Downey to discuss the fire service's newly consolidated standard, NFPA 1750: Standard for Emergency Response and Deployment.They explore why multiple legacy NFPA standards were combined into a single document and what the changes mean for fire department leaders, fire chiefs, and emergency services agencies across the country.Topics discussed include:✅ Changes to ERF (Effective Response Force) staffing requirements✅ Risk-based deployment and response planning✅ The new unit reliability benchmark✅ The consolidation of previous NFPA standards into NFPA 1750✅ Using NFPA 1750 to justify staffing, apparatus, and resource needs✅ How chiefs can leverage the standard in budget discussions and boardroom presentationsWhether you're a fire chief, company officer, city manager, municipal leader, firefighter, or EMS administrator, understanding NFPA 1750 is critical for making informed decisions about emergency response, deployment, staffing, and community risk reduction.Subscribe for more conversations on fire service leadership, fire department operations, firefighter safety, EMS, staffing, deployment, standards, and emergency response management.This podcast is brought to you by Esri: https://www.esri.com/en-us/home
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  FDIC 2027 Preview: New Firefighter Training, Live Fire, Technology, and EMS Programs 02.10.2026 1t 4min

  What can firefighters, officers, instructors, and EMS professionals expect at FDIC 2027?In this episode of The Training Officer, Dave McGlynn talks with Fire Engineering Editor-in-Chief David Rhodes about what is new at FDIC 2027, including expanded hands-on training, live fire opportunities, new symposiums and programs, and changes designed to give attendees more practical training options.The 2027 lineup includes new courses covering engine company operations, moving water from static sources, mid-rise and high-rise tactics, shoring, aerial ladder operations, search and victim removal, fire dynamics, fire pump and sprinkler operations, and live fire instructor training. The episode also explores technology, AI and decision-making support, connected firegrounds, robotics, drones, wellness, performance culture, leadership, and volunteer officer training.Rhodes also discusses how FDIC selects instructors and courses, why popular classes continue to return, what instructors can do to build their experience and contribute to the fire service, and what attendees should know about HOT classes and live fire training.The episode closes with Mike Brown discussing the expanded JEMS and EMS programming at FDIC 2027, including four dedicated EMS classrooms, new EMS educator and critical care tracks, the EMS Innovation Summit, EMS HITS sessions, Sim Yard opportunities, and CAPCE accredited education.Registration for FDIC 2027 opens October 5 at noon ET.Topics include:• FDIC 2027 firefighter training• Live fire and hands on training• Engine, truck and search operations• Fire dynamics and fire behavior• Fire officer and leadership training• Fire service technology and AI• EMS education and CAPCE credit• JEMS programming at FDIC• How FDIC courses and instructors are selected• What firefighters should know before registeringThis podcast is sponsored by IFSTA: https://www.ifsta.org/shop?utm_source=FE&utm_medium=PodcastSponsor&utm_campaign=IFSTA_FE&utm_term=IFSTA_FE_PodcastSponsor&utm_content=IFSTA_FE_October2026
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  The Command Post: The Search 01.09.2022 54min

  Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka discuss a vital fireground tactic: search operations.
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  Humpday Hangout: Issues and Challenges 20.08.2025 49min

  In this “Issues and Challenges” installment of the Humpday Hangout, Rick Lasky, John Salka, Scott Thompson, and Curtis Birt talk about mentoring in the fire service and why it’s important to have a say in our future.
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  Humpday Hangout: Developing the Training Calendar 06.08.2025 56min

  In this Humpday Hangout, members of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) discuss developing a training calendar for your fire department. They consider priorities and must-have drills, balancing your training, technology use, and delegating tasks.
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  Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities 12.06.2025 40min

  Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities This episode of Fire Service Court covers several topics that may have your department talking. The conversation addresses the complex and often contentious issue of facial hair policies in fire departments. The discussion centers around a recent case involving a veteran firefighter whose religious beliefs require him to maintain a beard, conflicting with his city’s clean-shaven rule tied to SCBA safety standards. Experts Brad Pinsky, Curt Varone, and Chip Comstock tackle tough questions relevant to volunteer departments, EMS personnel, and accommodation challenges without compromising safety. The panel calls for updated scientific research to better inform facial hair restrictions rather than ongoing litigation. This episode offers critical insights for fire service leaders grappling with policy development, religious accommodation, and operational integrity in an evolving legal landscape.
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  Talkin’ Tactics:  Mastering Engine Company Operations 26.05.2025 1t 12min

  Talkin’ Tactics:  Mastering Engine Company Operations In this episode of Talkin’ Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Robert "RJ" James, and Sam Villani discuss the essential components of engine company operations. Drawing from their extensive experiences in the fire service, they discuss the critical importance of promptly putting water on the fire and the need for effective communication and coordination within a crew. The conversation spans various topics, including the role of the engine company in rescue operations, the nuances of deploying long lines, and the fundamental training required for new firefighters to excel in their roles.       Brought to you by Firehouse Subs
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  Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: Innovations in Wildfire Management 02.02.2025 54min

  In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan sits down with wildfire experts Anthony Schultz, of ESRI, and Braniff Davis, of the Austin (TX) Fire Department, to explore cutting-edge strategies for wildfire mitigation and response. From predictive mapping and community risk assessments to real-time firefighter tracking, discover how data and technology are revolutionizing the fire service. Learn how departments nationwide can access free GIS tools to improve situational awareness and preparedness.    Listen to learn more.
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  Hooks & Hoses: Thermal Imaging Cameras 28.12.2024 1t 17min

  On this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman and Mike McCarthy, of the Boston (MA) Fire Department, dive into the world of thermal imaging cameras (TICs). They discuss the technology's strengths, limitations, and practical applications in firefighting. Learn valuable tips on training, using TICs effectively, and integrating them with traditional firefighting techniques.  Listen to learn more. Brought to you by Magnegrip , TenCate Protective Fabrics, and TheFireStore.
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  Fire and Training: Mentorship and Leadership in the Fire Service 19.12.2024 53min

  Join host Douglas Cline as he discusses mentorship, leadership, and the growth of young firefighters with guests Alannah Scardino and Sara Segerlin, both from the Brighton (NY) Fire Department.    Learn about their experiences, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how strong mentorship can shape the future of the fire service.    Listen to learn more.     Brought to you by Magnegrip , TenCate Protective Fabrics, and TheFireStore  
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  In the Books: Hope Out of Darkness 16.12.2024 1t 2min

  On In the Books, Dena Ali discusses her powerful book, Hope Out of Darkness. Explore her groundbreaking insights into firefighter mental health, trauma resilience, and finding hope through challenges. Discover strategies for building stronger support systems.    Listen to learn more.   Brought to you by Magnegrip , TenCate Protective Fabrics, and TheFireStore
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  Fireground Strategies: Fall Hazards in Low Visibility 10.11.2024 1t 5min

  When your guard is down on the fireground, bad things can happen. Hosts Jim Duffy and Anthony Avillo review fall hazards in low visibility, including shafts, skylights, and roof edges.   Brought to you by TenCate Protective Fabrics, TheFireStore, and LogRX.  
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  Talkin’ Tactics: Command and Line Officer Expectations 28.10.2024 1t 1min

  Hosts David Polikoff, Robert James (RJ), and Sam Villani discuss what command officers expect from their people. They also talk about what line officers expect from their command officers.  They discuss communication, setting expectations, and the importance of training together to build true camaraderie.   Brought to you by Magnegrip and Firehouse Subs.    
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  BuildingsonFire’s Taking It to the Streets: Building Performance and Facts 24.10.2024 1t 17min

  Join host Christopher Naum for insights and a discussion about building performance and the size-up process.   Brought to you by Magnegrip and Firehouse Subs.