The Firehouse Podcast

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 ...

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-...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 an...

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 i...

Charleston, WV, Battalion Chief Ryan Pennington joins Peter Matthews to talk about his approach to every shift, reminding himself that he’s a firefighter first and foremost. With that approach, Pennington’s foundation remains rooted in the basics while he has promoted through the fire department.

Pennington falls back on the principles he used to launch his training company, The Views from the Jumpseat, reminding listeners that the...

Justin Sherwood, who became fire chief in Bemidji, MN, nearly five years ago, reflects on the journey and shares what he learned at both personal and professional levels. Sherwood didn’t plan to follow his father’s footsteps into the fire service and pursued a degree in education, but that changed following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

In 15 years, Sherwood climbed the ranks and was named fire chief, starting a journey focuse...

John Lewis and Robert Moran have been teaching basement fire tactics and strategies for nearly two decades, after a series of close call incidents they were involved with. The two, known as Jersey Guys Fire Service Training, discuss tactics, construction and command for below-grade residential fires on this episode. 

From the use of the ELBOW acronym for basement fire size-up, to hoseline placement, ventilation tactics and search o...

Capt. Sean Eagen joins Peter Matthews to talk about firefighting operations in vacant structures, because many vacant buildings can still be occupied, posing a serious life hazard. Eagen, a 28-year veteran of the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department, shares his experiences and takes listeners through his size-up approach.

From cues and clues on suspected vacant homes, Eagen talks about how firefighters should plan to conduct searches, incl...

Peter Matthews is joined by former U.S. Marine Daniel Byrne; T.J. Cullison, who served in the U.S. Army; and A.J. Kehl, who just retired from a career in the U.S. Air Force. They discuss the similarities and differences between serving in the fire service and military and what carried over from their time serving in the U.S. military to the firehouse and what Veterans Day means to them.

They offer insight into the various military ...

Michael Daley joins Peter Matthews to discuss firefighter training today with a look at training challenges expected over the next five years, including new responses such as electric vehicles, and the abilities and skills news firefighters bring to the job.

Daley, a proponent of well-trained and educated firefighters, says firefighters should train to a level or professionalism – whether volunteer or career – to be able to handle ...

Peter Matthews talks with Chief Kristopher Blume about the realities of leading fire departments today, as they evolve quicker than ever and what is driving people away from the fire service in historic numbers.

Blume highlights key parts of his recently published book, Carry the Fire: The Crucible of Leadership in the Fire Service and the two discuss the background of his recent Firehouse.com article, “Beyond the Smoke: What Is Dr...

Peter Matthews is joined by Eileen Bellew, widow of FDNY Lt. John Bellew, and his daughter, Katreana, to discuss their paths through PTSD since John lost his life during the 2005 Black Sunday fire in the Bronx. 

Eileen shares her journey, which began Jan. 23, 2005, when she learned that John was seriously injured after jumping from an apartment building. From being escorted to the hospital, the fire service funeral, memorial servic...

Peter Matthews talks with Bill Niemann, who spent nearly two decades in the Prince William County, VA, Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Bureau. During that time, Niemann and his team relaunched the department’s arson investigation unit and logged many headline-making arson arrests. 

Niemann provides insight into his 17-year assignment in the fire marshal’s bureau and the relaunch of their fire investigation unit, which they mostly bu...

Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Grant Tinker about the normalization of deviance, often mistaken for complacency, and how deeper in the fire service and carries serious consequences. 

In this episode the two discuss how it shows up in day-to-day habits at home or the fire service and can result in dangerous consequences. They talk about crew resource management, pioneered by the aviation industry and adopted by the fire s...