National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Jeremy spoke at the recent Fire Truck Training Conference hosted by the REV Group in Lansing, Michigan. This keynote address was geared towards the mechanics and shop personnel who constantly work at keeping our apparatus on the road. Like firefighters, the crews from fleet maintenance work hard at continuing their education and learning from the best in the business. The FTTC is a top shelf conference offering education, training and certification to mechanics across the country for the last 25 years.

In Mike Lydon's words, he's a "Self Made Jake." Boston is a big, little city where generational firefighters are commonplace. He didn't have any family on the job nor did he even know that was his future until coming home from Iraq, getting married and having a child. It focused Mike on the importance of a solid foundation and a stable life. Mike's upbringing in his Irish Boston home set him on the path like so many from his city, military and then, the fire department. 22 years later, he is a 1st Sgt. with the Army as well as a 10 year member of the Boston Fire Department. He is currently assigned to Rescue Co. 1 and a member of the departments' Dive Team. He has grown a passion for the tech rescue side of the job and continues to push himself each day to learn the craft. Mike has a discipline about himself that he has had from his early military days. Always strive to take the next guys position... meaning, put in the work, study and do what it takes to constantly move up the line. He is quite content to remain a "blue shirt" but his quest for knowledge and skills continues to push him forward. Take five minutes each tour and talk to the next guy is important to Mike and he tries to live that each tour. This episode is powerful and the message will resonate with so many.

Episode 38 is Not a Marriage podcast, even though Pip’s guest is his wife, Tracey Piparo aka Mrs. Pip. Now, that's not to say they don’t talk about marriage, but it’s just not the topic they set out to talk about. It’s hard for two married people to avoid the topic . You can jump back to hear us talk on Episode 8 as well. Today’s main topic is Mrs. Pip’s professional as a palliative care PA. She talks about normalizing death and dying. It’s not exactly a topic most people even know they should learn about. But like she says, we are all going to die, so at least be prepared. She explains the palliative care system and some very simple steps we can all take to be ready. Trust me, this topic makes you ask yourself that question for sure. What’s My Size Up???

This keynote was given at the FEMSA FAMA conference in New Orleans in September 2023. FEMSA, the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association and FAMA, the Fire Apparatus Manufacturer's Association meet each year to share ideas, work on projects and to help shape the future of the fire service. This keynote, "A Work in Progress". tells about the NFR story, our journey and then shifts focus on the marketing and media side of business.

Jeremy had a chance to sit down with Joe Minogue, the liaison to the FDNY for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at this years' NJ Firefighter's Convention in Wildwood, NJ. Joe is a retired Lt. with the FDNY and was the Commanding Officer for the FDNY Ceremonial Unit. His devotion to preserving the legacy of those that have fallen drives Joe to be an active member of the NFFF team. This interview was hosted in the Fire and Safety Services exhibit space during the conference. Fire and Safety Services is a long standing supporter of the NFFF and their partnership has been strong for a very long time. The importance of the Foundation cannot be stressed enough and we all need to do more to preserve this great organization so that the memories of those that have passed in the line of duty will forever be remembered. Please check out www.firehero.org for more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Towards the end of our trip in Port Chester, NY, Jeremy had the chance to sit down with a bunch of the guys to talk shop over a cigar. Best of all, it was at the place where all the firehouse problems can be solved: The Kitchen Table.

For 2 guys from Jersey, we spend a great deal of time chatting it up about Colorado. Episode 37 features Rob Policht from Flow and Vent. Rob and Pip spend a great deal of time talking about growth. Whether it be their own, in the firehouse, as parents and basically people. The share the knowledge they have gained in the fire world and business world. Relating everyday topics to who they are both trying to live their lives. And of course asking each other that question. What’s Your Size Up?????

Jeremy sits down with editor Seb and co-host Pip of The Size Up to talk about their recent trip out to Maui to research more about the devastation in the wake of the wildfires. A huge shoutout and thank you to Shane Furata and Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett for making this all happen. It was truly an unforgettable experience and we look forward to bringing the community more information and content about our time there.

IG: @beyondthebasicsfiretraining Website: https://www.btbfiretraining.com/ Retiring from anything is a daunting thought. Retiring from an emergency services career is down right petrifying. Today Pip is joined by retired Battalion Chief John Hayowyk. John and Pip chat about a host of topics surrounding his recent retirement, but they all come back to the common theme of Staying Relevant. John has decided to continue his teaching career by traveling the country providing classes at conferences and for specific departments. That’s what works for him, it may not work for you. Who knows, but you need to find that thing. That thing that keeps you going, keeps you relevant and causes you to ask that question. What’s My Size Up????

Lt. Kevin Pfluger of the Live Oak Fire Department from Live Oak Texas sits down with Rob on this episode of The Gospel to talk about the challenges of making firefighters in a short staffed fire department. Breaking down the 6 months of probationary field training, Kevin talks about how they take a new firefighter and make them into a Live Oak Firefighter. Kevin even offers up their probationary book to share for those who need a jumping point that are in a similar situation.