CMC Podcast

CMC Podcast

The CMC Podcast is a platform for well-informed, collaborative and open minded conversations around rope rescue and rope access topics in a roundtable discussion format. Our aim is to inspire further research, testing and feedback around products and techniques through stories and lessons from experts. For more information visit www.CMCPro.com

Episodes

Ep. 33 Lighting Round

June 18, 2026 • 10 mins
In this special, lighting round style, episode of the CMC Podcast Instructors Craig McClure and Justin Wheaton discus not one, but 13 topics. Rapid fire on-the-spot questions with no warning and no rehearsal. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don't. Where do you land on these questions and why? Favorite gear, most overtrained topics, most undertrained topics, favorite rescue saying, and more, oh my.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

CMC Podcast EP. 32 | ITRS & Testing Bias

May 19, 2026 • 18 mins
In this episode of the CMC Podcast, CMC Instructors Craig McClure and Justin Wheaton discus the testing process when it comes to new ideas and concepts in Rope Rescue. This conversation ranges from: discussing ITRS, how can you eliminate testing bias to the best of your ability, negative and positive trends at ITRS, how the level of detail put into research can make or break a presentation and Justin's interest in studying static v...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Ep 31. Rock Exotica

February 6, 2025 • 59 mins
On this episode of the CMC Podcast, CMC instructor Doug McElmury talks to Rock Thompson from Rock Exotica. Rock Thompson is one of the most innovative and prolific people in any discipline that involves life safety rope equipment. In this podcast, Rock tells the story of the humble beginnings of Rock Exotica and how it has grown into a brand known around the globe. He shares fascinating accounts of how many popular products were de...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Influential Books

May 14, 2024 • 64 mins
In this CMC Podcast our school instructors Craig McClure, John McKently, LeRoy Harbach, and Jason Ilowite hold a roundtable a discussion about the books, aside from technical manuals, that have been influential to them in their lives and careers. Books mentioned: "The Mission, The Men, and Me" By Pete Blaber "Up the Organization" by Robert Townsend "Young Men and Fire" by Norman MacLean "Green Eggs and Ham, Oh the Places yo...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

G Vs. T

March 5, 2024 • 44 mins
In this CMC Podcast CMC Instructors Wayne Chapman, John McKently, Doug McElmury, and Kelly Byrne hold a roundtable discussion about NFPA General Use vs Technical Use ratings. They explore how the ratings are defined, if there is a requirement to use one over the other, and possible use cases. Overheard this episode: “As long as you are buying good stuff from reputable places you are not in danger of breaking things... don...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Fred Salazar | CMC Instructor Podcast

February 1, 2023 • 21 mins
This week we are joined by Fred Salazar. Fred started his journey into the fire services at a young age when he attended a fire academy through a junior college, followed by paramedic school. Fred's first position out of school was with a fire team working for a petrochemical plant in Southern California where he served as a full time industrial Fire Fighter for 7 years. After his service in the industrial world, Fred moved to Colo...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

LeRoy Harbach | CMC Instructor Series

December 13, 2022 • 35 mins
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Craig McClure | CMC Instructor Series

November 30, 2022 • 40 mins
This week we are joined by CMC School Instructor Craig McClure. Craig got his start in rope rescue volunteering for a Search and Rescue team in Bend, OR. Eventually after many years of volunteering and teaching in the rope rescue field Craig started his own training company called The Crackerjack Group, which he ran for nearly 10 years. After selling the Crackerjack Group he returned to his passion of rope training world joining C...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Matthew Scharper | CMC Instructor Series

October 27, 2022 • 21 mins
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Kelly Byrne | CMC Instructor Series

October 12, 2022 • 22 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ Join us weekly to get to know our CMC instructors. This week we are joined by Kelly Byrne. Kelly Started his fire service career as a Highschool cadet volunteer in 1992. After Highschool Kelly served in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne. Upon completion of his service in 1999 Kelly moved back into the Fire Services where he found him...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Justin Klopfenstein | CMC Instructor Series

October 5, 2022 • 20 mins
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

John McKently | CMC Instructor Series

September 28, 2022 • 21 mins
Join us weekly to get to know our CMC School instructors. This week we are joined by John McKently. John began working in the rescue industry in 1974, became an instructor with CMC in 1995, and retired as the CMC School Director in 2020. John worked for 47 years on the Montrose Search and Rescue team in Los Angeles County, CA. In this interview, we talk with John about how he transitioned from working in the private industry as a c...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Derrick Walker | CMC Instructor Series

September 21, 2022 • 19 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ Join us weekly as we get to know our CMC School instructors. This week we are joined by Derrick Walker. Derrick has a background in the industrial world working in power plants as a certified structural welder and welding inspector. Derrick has been teaching Rope Rescue Tech I / II classes with CMC since 2021. In this interview, we talk with Derrick about his background w...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

David Harper | CMC Instructor Series

September 14, 2022 • 17 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ Join us weekly as we get to know our CMC School instructors. This week we are joined by David Harper. David started his career by taking an EMT class in Highschool and worked his way up from working for a private ambulance company to Fire Bataillon Chief. David has worked with FEMA and managed both a rescue team and squad. David has been teaching for CMC since August 2021...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Dan Claridge | CMC Instructor Series

September 7, 2022 • 27 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ Join us weekly as we get to know our CMC instructors. This week we are joined by Dan Claridge. Dan has been working in Fire Services since 2001 and has been an instructor for the CMC School since 2014. Currently an Engineer Paramedic, City Of Glendale Fire Department (CA), Dan teaches subjects ranging from Low Angle Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue Technician, and Rescu...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Alan Baker | CMC Instructor Series

September 1, 2022 • 20 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ With this CMC Podcast we are kicking off our Instructor Series. Join us weekly as we get to know our CMC instructors. This week we are joined by Alan Baker. Alan started his career as a firefighter in Newport Beach, CA, in 1992 and has been an instructor for the CMC School since 1995. He is a senior instructor teaching subjects ranging from Trench Rescue, Rope Rescue, Res...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

49th Parallel | CMC GRIMP North America Recap Mini-Series

August 24, 2022 • 80 mins
In this CMC GRIMP North America 2022 recap, we are joined by 49th Parallel (@49thparallelrescueteam) a Canadian team composed of Firefighters from all across Canada who are involved with Ronin Rescue (@roninrescue). In this episode Doug talks with the 49th Parallel team about why they decided to compete in GRIMP NA 2022, what they learned from other competitions that helped them prepare, how they trained during the pandemic, and ho...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Peak Rescue | CMC GRIMP North America Recap Mini-Series

August 15, 2022 • 54 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ In this CMC GRIMP North America 2022 recap, we are joined by Peak Rescue (@peak_rescue) members Micah Rush, Toph Steinhoff, Eric Christensen, and Tye Herron who all placed first in Grimp NA 2022. Peak Rescue is a team from parts of Wyoming and Utah composed of members who work in Fire Service, Rope Access and Mountain Rescue. In this CMC Podcast Doug speaks with Peak Resc...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Intervention Rescue | CMC GRIMP North America Recap Mini-Series

August 10, 2022 • 35 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ In this CMC GRIMP North America 2022 recap, we are joined by Intervention Rescue (@interventionrescue). Intervention Rescue is a UK based technical access and rescue training provider that offerers consulting services for rescue plans and risk assessments. Intervention rescue is comprised of professionals from the rope access industry and firefighters. In this CMC Podcast...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Rose City Ropers | CMC GRIMP North America Recap Mini-Series

August 8, 2022 • 84 mins
More podcast episodes here: https://www.cmcpro.com/podcast/ In this CMC GRIMP North America 2022 recap, we are joined by members of the Rose City Ropers: Adam Salvetti, Sam Dougan, Josef Kuehnast, Tyler Hohl, David Mackovjak . The Rose City Ropers are a team comprised of members from Portland Fire & Rescue in Portland, Oregon. In this CMC podcast Doug speaks with the Rose City Ropers on how they prepared for the GRIMP NA scena...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    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.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    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

    Betrayal Weekly

    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 Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices