James Island, SC Professional Firefighters Union President Sean Foulois is advocating for fair and equal compensation for his firefighters. This unique public safety district has fallen behind with their commitment to the firefighters and they are losing members to other departments. Their numbers are low, morale is low and the work schedule is detrimental to firefighters. They are pushing for equal compensation comparable to other local departments so that they can continue to provide the professional services required by the residents of their community.

Growing up in his Providence, RI neighborhood, Dan Rinaldi chased the fire trucks through the streets and realized this was the path he was going to go down. Filling in an application at 17 years old, he was soon hired and realized this job was truly for him. Fast forward 36 years later, Dan is now one of the most senior men on the job, assigned to Special Hazards Co. 1. As the Senior Man in the "rescue", Dan's career spans decades and the fire duty during his tenure is hard to count. Throughout such a colorful career, there will always be some close calls, but on the morning of January 6, 2018, Dan found himself trapped under a collapsed third floor and roof, pinning him to the kitchen floor below. "I'm on fire" and his leg was crushed by the falling debris, he remained trapped for 32-1/2 minutes until other Providence companies could remove him from the building. His story is powerful and his lust for the job is undeniable. Suffering from injuries he sustained at the fire, he found his way back to active duty a few months later. His story reinforces what we all know; even when everything is going right, this job can still kill you. His passion for the job remains steadfast and his experiences are shared at the training academy and conferences across the country. He continues to educate those coming up the ranks and enjoys his place in the Providence Fire Department. Time will tell when Dan Rinaldi decides to retire, but right now, he continues to ride and is enjoying every moment of it. -- **Note - volume issue during the first two minutes**

" Pride and Ownership" with RIck Laskly. Over 45 years in the fire service, Chief Lasky has certainly left his mark on this great institution.

In this conversation, Pip interviews Trevor Williams, a firefighter and the inventor of the Williams key, a tool used for soft entry and forcible entry. They discuss the use of AI in various industries, the importance of being cautious with AI, and the ever-changing landscape of technology. They also touch on the challenges of marketing and the need for a team to handle the complexities of online presence. Trevor shares his experiences as a firefighter and how his expertise in carpentry led to the creation of the Williams key. They discuss the importance of soft entry tools in emergency situations and the need for constant adaptation and problem-solving in the fire service. Trevor Williams shares how he started his company, Williams Key, and the challenges of social media. He discusses the impact of viral videos and the issue of content theft. Trevor also talks about the changes in social media algorithms and the need to adapt. He highlights the importance of customer service and the creative ideas he has implemented in his business. Lastly, Trevor discusses his missionary work in Haiti and the devastating earthquake in 2010. Trevor Williams shares his experience working in Haiti after the devastating earthquake and his ongoing efforts to rebuild the country through his nonprofit organization, Firme Foundation. Despite the challenges and dangers, Trevor remains committed to helping the people of Haiti and providing them with shelter and support. He also discusses his passion for locksmithing and his role as a firefighter. The conversation touches on themes of resilience, giving back, and the importance of making a difference in the world. Because, What you do off the job, MATTERS!!!

In this episode, Mickey sits down with Florida State Representative Adam Anderson at his home. They discuss Adam's journey into politics, the role of faith in life, the bravery of ordinary people, and the importance of teaching about September 11th through the lens of heroes. They explore the unity and patriotism that emerged after the attacks, the challenges of passing legislation to ensure Florida children are educated about 9/11, and the establishment of the FSU Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases.

Quick with a one liner, Dave Russell can back them up with a story from his colorful career in the FDNY. This fourth generation firefighter knew early on that the FDNY was where he wanted to spend his time as a firefighter. Prior to being hired, he entered the Air Force pursuing firefighting. HAZMAT, ARFF and so many other disciplines, it was only a matter of time before the FDNY called. Leaving the Air Force early, he joined the ranks of the FDNY in 1985. Assigned to Engine 277, he cut his teeth working with mentors from the war years. These hard hitting firefighters lead the way and Dave quickly knew he made the right decision. Two short years later, Dave was involved in a collapse in which his MAYDAY caused him to ride the bench for a bit. Back at it, he went to HAZMAT for "a cup of coffee", then "Enhanced" Engine 41 before promoting to LT and landing at Engine 62 in the Bronx. During his colorful career, Dave would take spots all over the city to round out his experience. His words, "I was a tourist". On September 11, 2001, Dave was home and responded in upon learning of the tragedy unfolding. He worked the pile for six months, a time that has taken its' toll on the FDNY ever since. His quick wit and humor about the job has helped him along the way. The Brotherhood has kept him going for quite some time and he knows the importance of maintaining friendships. His love for the job has not slowed and in fact, he continues to teach and have some laughs with his buddies on and off the job.

Getting to know Larry Di Camillo over the years, we often go deep on issues facing the fire service. Most of the time we do it over a beer in person when conferences bring us together or sometimes, a random phone call that lasts for quite a while. So , why not record it and share it with the podcast community. So enjoy this episode where we bounce around and talk shot on the many issues we are all facing in todays' fire service.

From early on, Jack Ayers was just a "Hang Around". A young kid who took to the firehouse to be apart of something bigger. He would be present, maybe even sometimes a nag, but the company knew he would go on to serve the job well. Fast forward, Jack had a full circle moment with one of his mentors from his "Hang Around" days. Today, Jack is an Acting Captain with the San Francisco Fire Department, Engine Co. 22. His passion for the job is evident in everything he does. Training and promoting growth of his people drives him to find ways in which he can better not just himself, but the entire San Francisco area. Jack is apart of bringing the outside world to his world, opening up opportunities for those that might not be able to attend fire conferences and are starving for information and experience. Working with his buddies, their success is fueled by an unconditional belief in giving back to the job. Who doesn't want to enjoy fireifghting with their buddies?? Jack seems ot have it pretty much figured out and he won't have it any other way. He might of started as just a "hang around", but I think the title still fits him today. He "hangs around" those that want more and will stop at nothing to get it!! -- Check out the 2025 Bay Area Fire Conference presented by Fire Nuggets, May 15-18, 2025.

In this episode, Pip and Jack discuss their experiences in the emergency services field, particularly in lifeguarding and firefighting. They touch on the importance of passion and immersion in the field, as well as the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with being a emergency responder. They discuss the generational differences in the emergency services field and the benefits that the younger generation brings, such as their access to information and their passion for the job. They also highlight the importance of teaching the younger generation how to process and analyze the information they consume. Finally, they compare the ocean environment to firefighting, emphasizing the need for respect and understanding of the unpredictable nature of both. The conversation covers various topics related to water safety, fitness, and finding the right exercise routine. The hosts discuss the dangers of swimming in certain beach areas, the importance of lifeguards, and the different hazards present in different beaches. They also touch on the importance of physical fitness in emergency services and finding a workout routine that works for each individual. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals in emergency services to train like professional athletes and be physically fit to perform their jobs effectively. In this final part of the conversation, Jack and Pip discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and balanced meals. They also talk about the benefits of attending conferences and networking with like-minded individuals. Because, what you do off the job, MATTERS!!!

TFT 30 - The Roof by Jeremy Donch