The Firehouse Podcast

Jaksot

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  Los Angeles Fire Department: Rooted in Training – Andy Ruiz 14.09.2026 1t 1min

  Peter Matthews talks with Capt. II Andy Ruiz, who oversees the In-Service Training Unit for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). He explains how LAFD is rooted in training with recruits beginning their training at the site where a firefighter was killed in the line-of-duty during a fire at the now-LAFD academy. He shares how the department manages in-service training across 468 square miles at four sites, plus the Frank Hotchkins fire academy.  Ruiz explains how the department has responded to several recent close call incidents that resulted in several firefighters being seriously injured, including implementing fire behavior studies from UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute and the International Association of Fire Fighters. The department launched local training to ensure all firefighters are trained on the latest threats in the field and shares examples where properly trained firefighters have escaped critical injuries.   As he wraps up, Ruiz shares what he predicts to be the biggest challenges in the fire service, locally and globally.   Related links:  My Last Dying Breath 2nd Edition: Deeply Personal Stories of Firefighter Survival  LAFD-My Last Dying Breath Los Angeles Fire Department In-Service Training Instagram 
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  Your Fire Department Legacy and the Company Officer - Jared Vermeulen 17.08.2026 1t 18min

  Peter Matthews talks with Jared Vermeulen, who authored a new book, “The Modern Fire Officer: Building Legacy That Endures,” that is designed to help guide today’s fire officers through the many situations they encounter each day.  Vermeulen says that today’s fire officers often wear dozens of hats compared to a few hats for previous generations because of the all-hazards role that fire departments play in their community while ensuring today’s firefighters are confident in their duties. He said officers can find themselves trying to bridge multiple generational gaps in understanding, technology and know-how at the same time.   They discuss the challenges of some chiefs who take the helm as fire chief to fix a 20-year-old problem, blocking progress in their organization and possibly pushing it backward. Vermeulen says the fire service, in some ways, is the U.S. Post Office in it’s antiquated ways.   Related links:  The Modern Fire Officer   Jared Vermeulen on LinkedIn The Modern Fire Officer (Book 1) The Modern Fire Officer: Building Legacy That Endures (Book 2) The Firehouse Yak: Jared Vermeulen – Foundations for The Modern Fire Officer 
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  Beyond the Bugles: The Leader Within You 10.08.2026 1t 21min

  Chief Jacob Johnson sits down with long time friend, West Columbia, SC, Fire Department Battalion Chief Marc Aloan. They discuss all things leadership and dive into some deep questions. It’s fun, packed full of knowledge and provides important insight for all to hear and learn. 
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  Risk vs. Reality: Safety Starts with the Smart Firefighter - Eric Valliere 03.08.2026 1t

  Peter Matthews talks with Eric Valliere, CEO of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), about increasing the organization’s efforts in the awareness of firefighter safety and health.   For years, FDSOA has offered incident safety officers (ISO) and health and safety officers (HSO) education and today they fcus on bridging the gap between research, science and new operational efforts and the members on the streets. Listeners will learn how they can take part in FDSOA’s outreach efforts and why Valliere says smart and educated firefighters can see the importance of safety and health programs.  Valliere highlights the challenges and success ISOs and HSOs are seeing in the fire service and how their roles continue to evolve beyond emergency incident scenes. He also talks about FDSOA’s annual conference in January and the various award programs they offer.  Related links:  Fire Department Safety Officers Association website  FDSOA Facebook  FDSOA YouTube FDSOA LinkedIn From FDSOA: 5 in 2025: Fireground Safety Considerations for Incident Safety Officers Simon Sinek’s The Golden Circle TedTalk 
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  Beyond the Bugles: Leadership Through Disaster 13.07.2026 1t 6min

  Chief Jacob Johnson interviews his lifelong friend Capt. Rusty Ryan, of the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, as they discuss general firehouse leadership and how that translate to leadership through disaster as Capt. Ryan lead search and rescue teams through the central Texas floods on July 4, 2025.
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  Fireground Accountability, Incident Command and Technology – Doug Myers 06.07.2026 50min

  Peter Matthews talks with Fire Chief Doug Myers, from the Berrien Springs-Oronoko, MI, Fire Department, about commanding today’s fireground incidents. Myers led the development of the Scene Watcher App to help incident commanders track tasks and firefighters on scenes when command staff is limited.  Myers discusses the NIOSH 5, the five recurring factors that have been mentioned in the NIOSH LODD reports. Myers talks about the NIOSH 5 from the perspective of the incident commander and how they must manage the fireground with all five factors playing a part in their decision making.  In his region, with multiple fire departments assigned to fire incidents, Myers developed Scene Watcher to help the incident commanders manage assignments, track personnel and provide an overview of the incident from benchmarks and accountability.   Related links:  Scene Watcher  Connect with Doug Myers on LinkedIn  Fire Studies: Volunteer Firefighting Strategies: Where We’ve Been. Where Are We Headed? 
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  Recap of the Interschutz, The World’s Largest Fire Conference – Kristopher Blume 22.06.2026 53min

  Chief Kristopher Blume joins Peter Matthews to reflect on what products and innovations he saw while attending the largest firefighter conference in the world, Interschutz, earlier this month in Germany. From robots and apparatus to PPE and training equipment, Blume explains the difference between Interschutz and shows in the U.S. Blume explains how technology filled many of the exhibit halls at the week-long conference, displaying robotics, software and how the Europeans view the use artificial intelligence for the fire service now and in the future. Blume also saw a variety of PPE innovations, rigs and other equipment being used by firefighters in other countries. In a variety of classrooms, Blume engaged in conversations with members of the fire service from around the world and shares what their priorities are while he also highlights some of the unique and awe-inspiring hands-on training that they offer. Related links: Kristopher Blume Firehouse.com biography and articles Interschutz
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  Beyond the Bugles: Leadership from the Lens of the Pearland, TX, Fire Department 15.06.2026 1t 1min

  Chief Jacob Johnson gets to accomplish a dream of truly putting fire department members on the map by interviewing one of his own from the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, Chief Shane Bridges. The two discuss culture, mentorship and leadership from the lens of their own department. 
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  Inside the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation – Michael Hildebrand 08.06.2026 58min

  Peter Matthews is joined by Michael Hildebrand, who sits on the board of directors for the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation, which honors the legacy of Prince George’s County firefighter Jim Yvorra, who died in the line of duty in 1988.  Hildebrand recalled his longtime friendship with Yvorra and his dedication to the fire service by being an active member and book publisher in the areas of EMS, hazardous materials, operations and leadership. After his death, the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation was launched to provide scholarships to those whose goal was to promote leadership development in the U.S. fire service. Since 1989, nearly 150 scholarships have been awarded to active members of the fire service who have crafted impactful essays in their response   Hildebrand details the process to submit and the various resources available to applicants, including the top attributes of the scholarship recipients. They have also made available the Chief Alan Brunacini Special Project on Leadership, which provides a large award for an ongoing project to improve the fire service.  Related links:  Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation  Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation Awards and Scholarships  Jim Yvorra’s National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Role of Honor page  Robert Burke’s Tribute to Ludwig Benner  Texas HEAT Texas HEAT Hazardous Materials Education and Training Scholarships
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  Leadership and Life Lessons from the Marines, The Citadel – Thomas Gordon 26.05.2026 1t 10min

  Peter Matthews talks with past FireFusion keynote speaker Thomas J. Gordon, who completed a 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, about leadership, resilience and his book, Marine Maxims, Turning Leadership Principals into Practice.”  After his military career, Gordon returned to his alma mater, The Citadel, to serve as the Commandant of Cadets and shares stories of developing leaders from a young age, including how the school coaches students in decision-making and provides them with the tools they need to be successful in life.   Gordon details some of the military maxims he wrote about his in book, including the pathway to making decisions, the chain of command and character development. He also reflects on what he calls his greatest failure in the Marines and how that shaped the remainder of his career.   Related links:  Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles into Practice  Marine Maxims  FireFusion 2025: Military Leadership Principles for Today's Fire Officers  The Citadel 
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  Beyond the Bugles: It Comes Down to Legacy and Trust 18.05.2026 1t 5min

  Beyond the Bugles host and chief for the Pearland, TX, Fire Department Jacob Johnson interviews one of his best friends and mentors, Mark Campise, who is the chief of the Sugar Land, TX, Fire Department. They dive off into all kinds of subjects that they have encountered together over the last 23 years together. The conversation reaches depths of more than just chief talk, as they discuss real life, on the job, different situations and how to come out on the winning end. 
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  How the Fire Service Psychology Association is Leading Efforts in Firehouses 11.05.2026 1t 12min

  Retired chief Robert Avsec and Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski, who work with the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), dive into the topics of firefighter mental health and psychology as part of the annual Mental Health Awareness Month. Avsec relates firefighter mental health support for firefighters like hazmat responses, with four levels of resources, which was the basis of a report he wrote and helped guide the organization of the FSPA.  From the awareness level, where the topic of mental health is no longer taboo in most firehouses, to offering peer support, up to have properly trained clinicians who can assist firefighters in a variety scenarios, from responses during their careers to family/home life or other factors that can stack up.   Dr. Hejmanowski, an experienced clinician for military and public safety responders, looks at the various resources available to firefighters and what they need to know as they navigate the process as a helper who is seeking guidance themselves. The two explain the ongoing outreach by FSPA as they work toward a goal of supporting departments across the country.   Related links:  Robert Avsec’s full bio Dr. Tracy S. Hejmanowski Fire Service Psychology Association A Comparison Between HazMat Response Levels for Firefighters and Mental Health Clinician Scopes of Practice 9th Annual Fire Service Psychology Conference First Responder Project Halfway There: A Generational Shift in Firefighter Mental Health The Firehouse Yak: David Griffin – Retirement and Lessons from the Hardest Days The Favor Strategy: Reframing How to Help Firefighters in Emotional or Mental Distress The Brotherhood Barrier: How Group Bonding Shapes First Responder Attitudes Toward Treating Mental Health Firefighters' Mental Health Is Aided When Departments Plan for Major Incidents 
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  Retirement and Lessons from the Hardest Days – David Griffin 27.04.2026 1t 13min

  Dr. David Griffin reflects on his 21-year career with the Charleston, SC, Fire Department before as he entered retirement. Griffin talks about the profound impact on his career when he lost nine colleagues at the Sofa Super Store Fire and endured the loss of firefighters from suicide and health-related issues, with a look at leadership and fire service culture. Griffin shares the short- and long-term impacts from his response as the first-due engine driver to the Sofa Super Store Fire and what has changed in Charleston Fire Department over the nearly two decades since the tragedy. During the latter half of his career, Griffin focused on mental health and resiliency at a time where the fire service is encountering turnover while supporting the needs of the members for the duration of their careers and afterwards. Griffin, who serves as Firehouse’s Leadership Lessons columnist, also talks about the need for strong leadership and how that makes a difference in the success of today’s fire departments. Related links: Dr. David Griffin Website Dr. David Griffin’s Firehouse.com biography and content page
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  Beyond the Bugles: Leadership Is More Than a Title 20.04.2026 1t 4min

  Chief Jacob Johnson is joined by Fire Chief Les Stephens, of the San Marcos, TX, Fire Department, on the new episode of Beyond the Bugles. Understanding that leadership goes further than the title in the fire service, the two discuss integrity, accountability and love of the job.
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  Finding Your Identity in the Firehouse – Tyler Whittredge 30.03.2026 1t 1min

  Peter Matthews is joined by Saratoga Springs, NY, firefighter Tyler Whittredge to talk about firefighters’ finding their identities in the station, accountability and what makes a good firefighter.  Whittredge explains what he’s observed when it comes to members find their personality in a job full of Type-A personalities and how members can build each other through their strengths. Part of the process, Whittredge says, is by crews holding each other accountable on and off the fireground.  Whittredge talks about his time as a bunk-in firefighters near Syracuse, NY, and what led him to write the article, “What Makes a Good Firefighter?” which was published on Firehouse.com earlier this month. Focusing on that article, Whittredge explains what the “it” is that makes a firefighter a solid member of the crew, plus a discussion on personality vs. mentality.  Related links:  Tyler Whittredge Firehouse.com bio and contributor page  What Makes a Good Firefighter?  
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  Station Design Conference 2026 Preview – Janet Wilmoth, Mike Scott, Patrick Stone 16.03.2026 1t 25min

  Station Design Conference Director Janet Wilmoth and architects Mike Scott and Patrick Stone discuss this year’s conference, which takes place in May in Reno, NV. Peter Matthews digs into their sessions, asks what’s new at the public safety facility design conference and what they suggest attendees do to get the most out of the conference.   Janet Wilmoth offers highlights from around the conference, including new topics and trends that a variety of speakers will cover, along with the need for collaboration with other public safety agencies for training and operations facilities. Patrick Stone from H2M architects + engineers, who is also a firefighter, previews his sessions on next-generation public safety facilities and how that will impact buildings in the future, plus a look at why designing a station requires a lot of questions to be asked, like the design of a new fire apparatus. Mike Scott, with RRM Design, talks about critical need for programming, which is the first step of laying out needs and plans for a fire station.  Both architects, who are veterans of the Station Design Conference, explain how the event fosters a collaborative effort between architects, service providers, builders and attendees to build the facility properly the first time and how attendees can return home ready to start the process.   Related links:  Station Design Conference Janet Wilmoth’s Firehouse Contributor Page Mike Scott’s Firehouse Contributor Page Patrick O. Stone’s Firehouse Contributor Page Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award 
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  Beyond the Bugles: Lessons That Build a Legacy 09.03.2026 1t 2min

  In the second episode of Beyond the Bugles, Chief Jacob Johnson is joined by retired Chief Dennis Reilly. The legacy that Chief Reilly left behind is one to be admired and one that is extended on this episode. The two chiefs discuss integrity, moral courage, setting the tone and family. 
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  Flipping Fire Service Leadership – Flip Griffin 02.03.2026 1t 12min

  Flip Griffin, a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, talks with Peter Matthews about his new mission, Firehouse Freedom. Griffin has been teaching fire departments about the impact of leadership in recruitment, retention and burnout at all levels of the departments.  Griffin relates to his time in the military when recruitment was at an all-time high following the Sept. 11 terror attacks to the fire service’s current dilemma of hiring and keeping good firefighters and leaders in the ranks. Burnout comes at all levels, Griffin says, and some of it can be prevented with a new approach to operations.  Griffin ties his time in the military, which involved fire, EMS and search and rescue, to help fire departments examine where they are to tighten up the gaps the fire service has seen with so many leaving the ranks over the last decade.   Related links:  Firehouse Freedom 
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  Foundations for The Modern Fire Officer – Jared Vermeulen 16.02.2026 1t 19min

  Capt. Jared Vermeulen talks with Peter Matthews about his book, “The Modern Fire Officer,” and his approach to being a fire service leadership in current times. The book was born from Vermeulen’s experiences as an officer and from the promotional process, leading him to share practical, modern leadership skills for fire service leaders.   Vermeulen’s goal is to build strong companies by focusing on the members, from their health and wellness to understanding their strengths and weaknesses as a foundation. They talk about the steps to build a strong unit, how to help others through challenging times and why the mindset of customer service is important throughout the chain of command because a firefighter is the officer’s customer, like the citizen is the firefighter’s customer.   They discuss the role of informal leaders, developing and maintaining positive attitudes, helping each other grow and focusing on an overall healthy, positive attitude in the firehouse.   Related links:  The Modern Fire Officer Jared Vermeulen on LinkedIn 
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  Beyond the Bugles: Chief Chat with Doug Boeker 09.02.2026 59min

  Welcome to the inaugural episode of Beyond the Bugles, where Assistant Chief Jacob Johnson of the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, sits down with Fire Chief Doug Boeker of the Fulshear, TX, Fire Department. Together, they dive into leadership at the chief officer level, covering the do’s and don’ts of command, firehouse culture and the importance of meaningful kitchen-table conversations. The discussion blends professional insight with candid moments, offering both practical takeaways and authentic perspectives from two experienced leaders. This energetic first episode delivers wisdom, laughter and real-world leadership lessons.