The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Joined this week by the one and only Dave Quick. We get nerdy and talk about all things engine, hose, leadership and tactics. We start with the NFPA as Dave explains what we are getting right and wrong. The importance of the “Engine Boss” and what the title really means. The Engine company "urgents"… how to identify and rectify these issues at the pump panel. Of course no discussion with Dave would be complete without nerding out on some hose and attack package talk!  All derailed by the beautiful questions from the audience!!

Joined on this episode by two awesome guests. One of my favorite people on the planet in Chief Frank Leeb, and the other one that I am excited to meet and have an awesome conversation with in Kory Pearn.  We plan to talk about all the issues that can blindside us in the fire-service. The mission of Crackyl magazine.  Cancer, Cardiac, Physical fitness. How can we ensure that a young firefighter becomes an old firefighter! an informative conversation and as always the best laid plans of me and my guests was beautifully derailed by the awesome question from the Scrap audience.  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Andrew Johnston and it was an amazing episode.  We discussed the project that Andrew has been the lead on for the last year... the Work of Search and how it is almost ready to be unveiled. We plan to discuss Andrew's wheelhouse... all about drilling and the difference between training and Drilling.  Of course the best laid plans of me and the guest are always beautifully derailed by the live audience and their amazing questions. 

Joined on this episode by none other than Paul Watlington—fireground tactician, company officer mentor, and all-around training junkie. We’re diving into the engineer position and what the fire service is getting right and what it is getting wrong. We’ll talk about the mindset it takes to run a high-performing engine company, how to keep your edge without burning out, and the fine art of staying humble while still owning the room.  And of course, the best laid plans as always were hijacked by the live audience and their killer questions.  Enjoy the episode!

Joined on this episode by the 'Hump' himself... Jeremie Humphries and I am excited for all that we are going to talk about.  We discuss building a peer support team and the challenges and lessons learned. . How to go about changing culture, how to stay sane while leading change. Also going to discuss a topic near and dear to my heart... not being an asshole. Of course as always, the best laid plans of me and the guest will be awesomely derailed by the phenomenal questions from the live audience!  Enjoy the episode!!!

It is the one and only Bobby Eckert, the the fan, the fire, the unapologetic force behind Eckert Fire Tactics. If you’ve seen him before, you already know: Bobby doesn’t pull punches and he doesn’t do boring. From street-smart strategy to no-nonsense leadership, he brings the kind of fireground intensity that gets people talking and thinking.Expect strong opinions, tactical gold, and the kind of real talk that only Bobby can deliver! As always the audience questions and comments steer the chaos. 

Joined on this episode by Mike Torres, firefighter, instructor, and all-around fire service powerhouse! With over two decades of experience and a passion for mentorship, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge from the streets of Chicago to the training grounds across Illinois. We plan to dive into the evolution of fire service culture, the importance of departmental identity, and how to build loyalty and morale in today’s crews. As always, the best laid plans was hijacked by the amazing audience, whose questions and comments always steer the Scrap into new territory! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only Scott Huff and it promises to be a fun discussion. We discuss building and developing officers in the modern fire service and how to overcome the challenges that presents. We discuss the dangers of water response and the impact it has had. Developing a response plan and common mistakes that are made. We talk about resources that are available and how to take advantage of those resources. Of course as always, the best laid plans of me and the guest are always beautifully derailed by the great questions from the audience as they take control of the Scrap!  

Joined on this episode by not just one phenomenal fire service leader, but for the first time in the history of the Scrap we had dual guests as Anthony Kastros and Frank Viscuso both came on the Scrap! It was a mini-mega on leadership and command and it promises to be an amazing show.  We planned to discuss Incident Command, Officer Development, Conflict Resolution as well as the new class that they are developing that touches on these topics.  Of course it does not matter what we planned to discuss because the beautiful audience as always brought the heat and were there to guide and derail the conversation in their awesome way!!  It was a one of a kind Scrap and you will enjoy!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Brendon McDonough and holy smokes...this episode was powerful!!!! We start by discussing the new leg of his journey as he is about to complete his first year as a Firefighter. From there we start moving into his journey and all that he has gone through and it is powerful! We plan to discuss the power that love, servant leadership, perseverance and passion played in it. Of course the Scrap is always driven by the phenomenal questions of the live audience... and this was no exception.   Donut crushes it and it is well worth the listen!!!