Rig Recon Live
Obsessed with Fire Trucks? We are too! Join us on Rig Recon Live as co-hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss the industry's hottest topics. Featuring the industry's top names, this podcast covers everything apparatus related including new products, spec designs, fire truck tactics, industry headlines, and much more. Make sure you sign up for notifications as new episodes release monthly.
Episodes
Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss hose bed storage and hose retention systems on fire apparatus, focusing on attack and supply hose and what NFPA requires. They explain how incidents—including a crosslay launching and damaging vehicles and a fatal case where a five-inch coupling killed a child—drove NFPA to add mid-cycle retention requirements, later broadened, and how hose storage moved from minimum hose amounts to...
Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier discuss why fire apparatus weight matters beyond OEM specs, emphasizing liability after crashes, vehicle longevity, and handling safety. They explain how NFPA requires OEMs to weigh the finished truck with full fluids and account for fixed items, personnel (250 lbs per seat), and estimated equipment by storage volume, but not the real-world variability of loaded compartments and hose choices. They high...
On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with Jason Davis of Bulldog about fire apparatus refurbishments and how “refurb” can range from repainting and reconfiguring compartments to new chassis, rebuilt engines/transmissions, aerial teardown/inspection, and even replacing frame rails. Davis explains Bulldog’s process involving sales, in-house engineering, fabrication, and paint, noting that refu...
On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier interview Bob Albano of Hendrickson Fire about fire apparatus suspension and why it matters beyond comfort; protecting firefighters, electronics, cab/chassis, and keeping trucks in service over long lifecycles. Bob outlines front options (beam/straight axle with multi-leaf or parabolic springs, and independent front suspension via air or mechanical torsion) and rear options (mu...
On Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier talk with the Godfather of Brass Tacks Hard Facts, Jerry Herbst, about how fire apparatus should be viewed. Small mistakes in pressure and flow can get firefighters hurt, burned, or killed. Herbst explains how “Know Your Flow” training emphasizes accuracy over guesswork, validates real-world friction and plumbing losses, and builds rig-specific pump charts. They dis...
Rig Recon Live hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by retired Ottawa Fire Captain and Apparatus Consultant Bruce Griffin to discuss why fire departments should challenge apparatus decisions with a clear “why” rather than “that’s how we’ve always done it.” Griffin shares experience designing Ottawa’s fleet, including studies on reflective striping (highlighting wheel wells for veh...
Join hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on this episode of Rig Recon Live as they discuss efficient tanker operations with water flow expert Henry Lovett. Delve into the challenges and best practices of rural water supply, including optimal setup for dump sites and fill sites, the advantages of utilizing turbo draft devices, and effective ways to maintain continuous water flow during fire operations. Henry shares his insights from...
In the Season 3 debut of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by experienced firefighter Kyle Romagus. With 24 years in the fire service, Kyle shares insights on apparatus design, effective hose management, and the importance of pre-planning for unpredictable fireground conditions. The episode delves into the concept of 'War Wagons' – versatile and well-equipped engine companies ready to tackle any f...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier host Andy Plofkin, Director of North American Regional Sales at Elkhart Brass, to delve into the extensive experience and services offered by the FEI team. Andy shares insights from his 42 years in the fire service and discusses the critical aspects of fire apparatus maintenance, including Know Your Flow classes, LED lighting upgrades, and roll-up door troubleshooting...
Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in an exciting episode of Rig Recon Live as they discuss the intricacies of fire apparatus specifications with industry legend Brian Brush. This episode covers the importance of rig specs, hose loads, cross lays, and effective deployment strategies. Listen to Brian's insights on the exponential engine model, quick attack high flow lines, and the significance of detailed planning in apparatus desig...
Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on this episode of Rig Recon Live as they chat with Ricky Riley, a veteran firefighter with extensive knowledge in fire apparatus. Ricky shares his insights from decades of experience, discussing the importance of apparatus maintenance, the challenges of aging equipment, and the benefits of retrofitting older rigs. The conversation covers various key points, including brake system checks, cooling ...
Welcome to another episode of Rig Recon Live! Hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier dive deep into the world of fire pumps with guests Todd Rogers and Jason Nawrocki from Waterous. They discuss the importance of pump ratings, common issues like cavitation and overheating, and the difference between electric and air primers. The team also highlights the valuable educational tools available through Waterous University and offers practi...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Eric Wheaton, an 18-year battalion chief from the City of Winter Park, Florida. The episode dives deep into the intricacies of aerial apparatus setup and operations, focusing on the differences between mid mount vs. rear mount and bucket vs. ladder configurations. Eric shares his vast experience and insights on compartment space, response models, r...
Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they sit down with retired Battalion Chief Rob Fisher to delve into the intricacies of Quint designs and operations. Rob shares his extensive experience in the fire service, discussing the evolution of Quint apparatus, key considerations for effective planning, and the tactical application of Quints in both suburban and urban settings. Learn about the importanc...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier delve into NFPA 1900, focusing on its purpose, changes, and the importance of public comments. The discussion covers the code's safety standards for fire apparatus, the process for submitting public comments, and the importance of staying updated with the latest revisions. Jason, a member of the NFPA committee, provides insights into the committee's workings and the s...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosted by Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier, the duo dives into the revolutionary ACE system recently debuted at FDIC by FRC. The discussion focuses on how the Advanced Control Environment (ACE) technology enhances fire apparatus pump controls without replacing the essential pump operator. They explore the history and advancements in pump control technology, safety features, and customization options ...
Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier in this episode of Rig Recon Live as they welcome Cole Kleinwolterink, the founder of Fire Training Directory. Cole discusses his background and passion for the fire service, his transition from being a middle school teacher to becoming a full-time firefighter, and his recent promotion to fire lieutenant. He provides an in-depth look at the Fire Training Directory, a centralized, crowdsourced plat...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Chief Ed Rice to discuss an important and often overlooked aspect of fire service: the prevention and management of fire apparatus accidents. Drawing from Chief Rice's extensive 28-year career with the District of Columbia Fire and EMS department, they explore topics such as fleet management, apparatus design, accident causes and impacts, and essential s...
Join Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier on another episode of Rig Recon Live, featuring special guests Mike Wilbur and Tom Shand, the renowned Apparatus Architects. Dive into the critical aspects of pre-construction conferences for fire apparatus, including weight distribution, safety, and equipment layout. Learn about the complexities of modern fire truck specifications, the impact of long lead times, and best practices for assembling ...
In this episode of Rig Recon Live, hosts Bruce Quick and Jason Witmier are joined by Drew Newman, Director of Lighting Sales at Will-Burt, to discuss the innovative and versatile lighting solutions offered by Will-Burt. With over 100 years in business and a focus on the fire service industry, Will-Burt is a leader in telescoping masts for various markets, including defense, cellular, broadcasting, and first responders. Drew shares ...
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.