Fire Engineering Podcast Network

The Larry Conley Show: Cultivating Leadership and Passion in Fire Service Training

In this episode of the Larry Conley Show, David Conley and Larry Conley sit down with DJ Stone, division chief of training, South Walton (FL) Fire District. Stone shares his journey into the training officer role, revealing the challenges and profound responsibilities that come with shaping a fire department’s culture and capability. The conversation...

Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: The Critical Role of Data, Building Intelligence, and Fire Prevention

In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, fire safety experts Jill Cotton and Jack Murphy cover a crucial yet underappreciated aspect of firefighting: leveraging data, building technology, and fire prevention strategies to save lives and property. They discuss why residential sprinklers remain vastly underutilized desp...

BuildingsonFire: The Commercial Fireground Facts Update, Part 1

Join host Christopher Naum for the latest episode of BuildingsonFire as he kicks off a new series, The Commercial Fireground Facts Update. Drawing from decades of after-action reports and key line-of-duty incidents—from the 1989 Sunrise Gift Store fire to the 2007 Charleston Sofa S...

Hooks & Hoses: Striking a Balance Between Safety and Realism in Live Fire Training

In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman delves into the complexities of live fire training, sharing lessons from his extensive experience across acquired structures and fixed facilities. He emphasizes the critical balance between adhering to NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire...

This “Politics and Tactics” edition of the Humpday Hangout explores the raw realities of wildland firefighting and the urgent push for federal recognition of occupational cancer in first responders. Gabriel Kirkpatrick Mann, filmmaker of the acclaimed documentary Hotshot, talks about his six-year journey embedding with elite hotshot crews in California’s brutal wildfires. He reveals the physical demands, evolving mission scope, and...

Women in Fire: Inside the Fire Service Promotion Process

In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker, Southwest Trustee, Women in Fire, welcomes experts from California and Colorado dissect the realities behind fire service promotions, from driver/operator to captain and beyond. Deputy Chief Heather Mozdean of the Fremont (CA) Fire Department, ...

Talkin’ Tactics: Lessons from the Front Lines and Beyond

In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Robert “RJ” James, and Sam Villani take a close look at the landscape of fire service leadership. Reflecting on James’s recent training at the Jimmy Ellis Memorial and their own careers, they explore when and why firefighters decide to pursue leadership roles. T...

In The Books: Water Thievery: Mastering Advanced Fire Service Water Supply and Pump Operations

Veteran firefighter and instructor Andy Soccodato shares his journey from being a teenage volunteer in New Jersey to becoming a key educator at the Tennessee State Fire Academy. Drawing on nearly two decades of hands-on experience, Soccodato reveals t...

Generation Engine: Why Firefighters Commit to Growth Beyond the Station

Recorded live at the First In Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, this episode captures the diverse perspectives of firefighters, from new volunteers to seasoned chiefs. Listeners will learn what drives firefighters to attend training away from home. Through honest conversations, these public servants s...

The Command Post: Navigating Certification Challenges and Career Transitions in the Fire Service   In this episode of The Command Post, hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka take a close look at the complexities of firefighter certification across the United States. Drawing on decades of experience—from Illinois and New York to Texas and Florida—they expose the frustrating patchwork of state standards that complicate career moves and pro...

The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service   In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Rick Lasky and John Salka to discuss the enduring strength and value of volunteer firefighters. Despite ongoing challenges and negativity, volunteer fire departments remain a vital part of the firefighting community, comprising roughly two-third...

Fireground Strategies: Remembering 9/11 and Recognizing Dominoes on the Fireground  

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11 by honoring the heroes and victims—firefighters, police, and everyday citizens—who stood strong during one of the darkest days in U.S. history. They explore the ongoing physical and emotional toll on responders and emphasize the importance...

Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Grit, and the Fire Service Future with Chief Kris Blume   In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down with Kris Blume, Chief of Meridian (ID) Fire Department, and author of Carry the Fire. They explore the challenges and opportunities within today’s fire service—from cultivating grit and determination to building mission-driven, values-based cultures. Blume shares...