Fire Engineering Podcast Network

How does the accreditation process provide meaningful value for firefighters and fire departments? And what does that look like in the boardroom vs. on the fireground? In this episode of Fire Service and Data Tech Talk,  a fire chief with 30 years’ experience and a commission program manager unpack why accreditation and good data are changing how departments plan staffing, station location's and response doctrine.

Mike Scotto, lieutenant (ret.), FDNY, joins host Dave McGlynn for a discussion about truck company and tower ladder operations for this episode of The Training Officer.  Scotto addresses apparatus positioning, tower-bucket tactics, victim removal into the bucket, search techniques from outside venting, and more. He shares crew-drill ideas—roll‑down gate cutting, saw handling, hook tricks, portable stream consideration...

Host Doug Cline urges firefighters and emergency responders to preserve their history and mentor the next generation during this episode of Fire and Training. Drawing on four decades of frontline experience—from a 1985 gymnasium fire to early paramedic days and formative training events—Cline mixes personal anecdotes with practical advice. He uses the metaphor "be the salt" to argue that preserving memorabilia, storie...

FDIC 2026 is right around the corner, and this preview episode lays out exactly why it matters for today’s command staff. The focus isn’t hype. It’s preparation. From chief-level decision making to evolving fireground strategy, this episode of Command Show centers on what officers will actually take back to their departments after a week at FDIC International.

Hosts Anthony Kastros and Br...

Every year firefighters and officers invest thousands of dollars to attend FDIC International in Indianapolis — but many arrive without a plan. In this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley and his guest, Dave McGlynn, break down how to approach FDIC as if it's a fireground operation. From size-up and building familiarization to strategy, contingencies, rehab, and after-action review, they outline a disc...

What makes high-rise firefighting unique? Dave McGrail, an author and retired assistant chief from the Denver (CO) Fire Department, joins host Eric Dreiman for this episode of Hooks & Hoses. The two take a closeup look at the challenges of operating at and commanding high-rise buildings. Dave McGrail will teach "The High-Rise Firefight" at FDIC in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to...

For Command Show's Firefighter Rescue Survey Update, hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush take a look at the Firefighter Rescue Survey release on The First 5,000 Rescues. Join them to learn where to access this information the context of the numbers and how to use it for making data-driven decisions and establishing evidence-based procedures.

This podcast is brought to you by Tablet Comm...

A firefighter going from captain to probie (yes, in that order) is not something we see every day. On this episode of Humpday Hangout, Politics & Tactics host Frank Ricci interviews Danny Stratton about making this very move from the Camden (NJ) Fire Department to the Philadelphia Fire Department. During the conversation, they cover handling adversity and search tactics as well as truck company strategies and radi...

This episode of the Women in Fire podcast tackles tough subjects. Kim Phillips, district chief, Houston Fire Department, and Paige Colwell, battalion chief, Forsyth County (GA) Fire Department, explore trust and ethics in a profession defined by courage and service, emphasizing how individual missteps can damage entire departments’ reputations and community support. They look at challenges brought on by social media, ...

Anthony Rowett welcomes Ken Keller, the deputy chief of the Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue Department, to Generation Engine. They talk about the critical role of mentorship and innovative training methods that are shaping Mobile Fire Rescue's success. The conversation addresses budget challenges, leveraging technology, and social media to enhance training efficiency. They also spend time on marine firefighting, touching on t...

For this episode of Mayday Monday, host Tony Carroll welcomes guest Todd Leduc, from LifeScan Wellness. As cardiovascular events remain the leading cause of death among firefighters nationwide, this episode explores the unique physiological challenges the fire service faces, from intense heat and heavy gear to persistent dehydration and high stress. Leduc shares insights from over three decades in the field. He and th...

For this episode of Two Vollies and a Guest, the hosts welcome Christopher Flatley, a retired captain who worked at the FDNY Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness (CTDP), where he spent 15 years as an analyst involved with special event planning and response. Flatley has produced threat assessments for some of the city’s most high-profile events. He is also a Master Exercise Practitioner and has conducted exe...

On this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Lieutenant John Russ from the Brentwood (TN) Fire and Rescue Department joins host Tom Merrill to discuss an often-avoided topic in the fire service: having difficult conversations. From leadership challenges, to addressing performance issues and holding people accountable, Russ shares practical ideas and real-world experience on how to approach tough disc...

In The Books: Diary of a Probie: Turning Setbacks into Strengths

Firefighter Nichole O’Donnell joins us to discuss the real‑life experiences behind her book, Diary of a Probie: Turning Setbacks into Strengths. Through her diary‑style reflections, O’Donnell opens up about the self‑doubt, pressure, and personal challenges that shape a firefighter’s earliest days in the servic...

Alex Anthony Seaman is a captain/paramedic with the City of Tamarac (FL) Fire Rescue and an acting battalion chief, bringing 16 years of fire service and emergency medical experience to his leadership role. In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, Seaman opens up about what drives him every day—from his commitment to his crew to pushing past complacency in the fire service. He shares practical ways to keep motivation alive, e...

In this episode of Fire Service Court, legal experts and fire service veterans tackle critical liability issues faced by fire departments during severe weather and emergency responses. 

The discussion covers the duty to respond amid hazardous conditions like ice storms and heavy snowfall, emphasizing the special duty rule that limits individual liability unless a direct promise is made to...

In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, a guest panel joins the show to discuss electric fire pumpers. They discuss cost, delivery, maintenance, facility modifications, training, and the operation of electric fire pumpers. They also cover battery range, vehicle weight, and clearance in hilly terrain, as well as the quiet operation and intuitive technology that sets electric rigs apart from traditional dies...