Into the Fire

For so many firefighters, the job is their main focus. Here at AMFEMS, we are dedicated to our craft and are committed to providing the best service we can. So in turn, many on our team aren’t always aware of what’s going on with leadership, or job positions, or how the local board plays into decisions. So, on today’s episode of ‘Into the Fire’, Jordan sits down with some leadership of AMFEMS to answer your questions. From question...

Despite holding the titles of firefighter – much of what Captain Travis Bell and Major Mike Arth do on a daily basis has nothing to do with fires. Those two help lead the Special Operations at Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS – a fast growing division aimed at tackling the unique scenarios that first responders find themselves in. From tornado rescues, to flooding and every weather related disaster, the AMFEMS’ special ops teams...

In Chip Terry’s retirement speech, he talked about the horrors he had seen as a firefighter. Dead children, suicides, abuse and more. Not long after that speech, Chip would take his own life from suicide. Though his wife Jo had seen signs of his struggles, what she, and even the doctors didn’t realize, was that Chip was dealing with PTSD. Often thought of as a something that impacts soldiers, Jo is now on a mission to help first re...

Chief Groody is back on the podcast! With 2024 in full swing, the Chief returns to the podcast to give a status report on the department and update listeners on all the big happenings. With news around hazmat, recruit classes and yes, even the PGA, there is plenty to update folks on. On top of all of that, with the legislative session moving quickly, the Chief talks about some bills they monitoring, both good and bad, and what they...

Being a firefighter is not an easy profession. Long hours and late nights can push your physical and mental limits. Routinely witnessing traumatic events will impact everyone at some point.

For a long time, firefighters who had dealt with trauma or struggled to cope with the realities of the job were told to keep quiet. They didn’t talk about mental health, anxiety or PTSD. ...

For Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, on most days, the 'EMS' is the biggest part of their jobs. For AMFEMS, 80% of what they do is EMS or EMS related. Enter Lt. Colonel Keith Brooks – the man that keeps it all running. On the latest episode of Into the Fire, Lt. Col. Brooks joins us to talk about the evolution of firefighters turning more towards EMS and how that impacts the focus of the organization. From training to tools and e...

In April 0f 2023 Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS graduated their third recruit academy. Among those in that graduating class were Luke Sivado and Dwayne Carter - two young men who have now spent the last few months on the street as firefighters. So how did they get there? On today's episode of 'Into the Fire' we talk with Luke and Dwayne about their journey to becoming AMFEMS firefighters. What made them interested? How was the a...

Since Brad Oser has been a firefighter, plenty of things have changed. Folks often think firefighters just put out fires and save kittens in trees, but the profession faces new challenges every day. One of those unique challenges? Hazmat. On the latest episode of 'Into the Fire' Major Brad Oser talks hazmat, what it is, and how it intersects with AMFEMS' work. AMFEMS hopes to have the best hazmat team in the region. So how do we ge...

Yesterday’s firefighters are simply not today’s firefighters. Not only has the job requirements changed, and the challenges changed, but personalities and culture have changed. At AMFEMS that means always being willing to adapt - to be flexible, and support our team members. On this episode of Into the Fire, Executive Assistant Chief Kevin Tyler joins the program to talk about the changing nature of firefighting and how AMFEMS cont...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Into the Fire! On today’s episode Captain Mark Ohlmann, the Workforce Development Training Officer, joins the show to talk about AMFEMS training program and how they recruit and educate the most elite firefighters. At AMFEMS it is all about creating a brotherhood, where every firefighter can trust and believe in the men and women riding with them. But that process isn’t always easy. In today’s conversation C...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Into the Fire! Over the course of this podcast we will dive into many parts of Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS - but to start, let's get to know a little bit about our history. On today's podcast, AMFEMS Chief Kevin Groody joins us to take us through the merger that created AMFEMS, the challenges and benefits of running a large force and the we chat about what the future of our department might look like. ...

Welcome, Into the Fire! A new podcast from Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, 'Into the Fire' brings you real conversation from firefighters about their life-saving profession. Interesting in learning more about your local fire station? Always wanted to know what the day-to-day work of a firefighter looks like? Into the Fire will dive into everything firefighting. Hosted by Jordan Yuodis, Episode 1 of Into the Fire is coming soon.....