The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Frank Viscuso, a retired deputy fire chief and best-selling author, shares invaluable insights on leadership and team development. He emphasizes thriving in toxic environments and the importance of making team members feel heard. Viscuso addresses the current leadership crisis in the fire service and the significance of empowering teams. With anecdotes from his writing journey and personal experiences, he illustrates the power of mentorship, accountability, and genuine connections within the firefighting community.

Joined on this episode by one of the hardest workers I have met. John Velez of Tailboard Misfits. We talk about the mission of bringing value to the fire service. His journey and missteps along the way. The power of shared experiences as well as shared suffering. And the impact of good conversations, and why it is so hard to have them in the modern social media fueled world. All of this is of course what was planned and was beautifully derailed by the awesome questions from the audience! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only James Geering. he is the host of the Behind the Shield podcast which has over 1000 episodes and going strong. We plan to discuss his new book "Kinder" and of course when you talk to James you are going to get straight talk about Mental health and first responders. We discuss shift-schedules as well as all of the brilliant questions that come from the audience each and every week. 

Joined on this episode by one of my favorite Chief's, also the author of one of the books that was foundational in starting Firehouse Vigilance, none other than Chief Rick Lasky. It is our annual end of year show (this is year two and I plan to keep it going as long as he is willing)! We discuss the concepts of Pride & Ownership and how the timeless principles have stood the test of time as well as what has changed about the job. It was an amazing and fun as well as introspective show, which of course was guided by the great questions from the audience!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Dr/Chief David Griffin. it was an amazing Scrap as we discuss the topics of  Resiliency, toxic leadership, mental health, Excellence, Leadership, Growth, Overcoming Adversity, Tragedy, Triumph, Culture and Mindset... and that does not even include the questions and comments that the audience brought! It is an amazing episode with a strong finish that left me at a loss for words. 

Joined once again by the incomparable Aaron Fields to have another amazing discussion about his mindset and philosophies towards training. His methodologies, how they were developed and why he is so adamant in their application. We get to discuss linguistics, and its impact on the Fire service, as well as every topic the audience threw our way!  If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Aaron Fields and I was super excited for this episode! 

Joined on this episode by none other than Chris Gilpin! We talk about a lot of different topics and the most important one is of course training! We discuss the history of training from his perspective and how we have arrived at the place where we are. The things we are getting right as well as what we could be doing better. The incident that changed his perspective on training.... and of course the best laid plans of me and the guest are always waylaid by those beautiful questions from the audience. It was a great Scrap.  Enjoy!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Lee Forshner. Been trying to make this one happen for a while, and was able to do so this week because of a short notice cancelation.  It was a heavy Scrap as we discussed his journey and the challenges that he faced and overcame along the way.  Mental toughness and adversity was on the agenda, as well as a few beautiful questions from the audience. 

Back to back, a double-header!  Firefighter Mayday Survey talk with one of the firefighters I love the most. We deep dive into the project that is launching soon, the Firefighter Mayday Survey.  We will talk about Don Abbot and Project Mayday, its connection to this project as well as every way that you, the American Fire service can get involved. Of course, we planned for and expected the audience to show up with their awesome questions.

Joined by one of my favorite people on the planet, the incomparable Andy Starnes. We talk about TIC's and the fire service, it is old technology, so why are we so ill-versed in its use! Thermal Imaging and search. Firefighters and disorientation and the role of the TIC.  Of course with Andy you can always expect a dose of the truth about life, relationships and the job. As always our best laid plans get beautifully waylaid by the phenomenal questions form the audience, and Andy crushes each and every one.