National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

TikTok @bluffcitycombat Instagram bluff_city_combat_team Facebook The Bluff City Combat team Email bluffcitycombat@gmail.com You can alway go one extra step in life. This week's guest, Mike Coleman is a true example of that statement. Mike is a firefighter with the Memphis Fire Department and one of the founding members of its Firefighter Challenge Team. Pip and Mike chat about the formation of the team, competing and most importantly training. The overwhelming theme of Mike’s story is constantly progressing in everything you do in life. That attitude alone will have you asking yourself the question. What’s My Size Up???

With over 20 years in the fire service, Assistant Chief Justin McCarthy has learned one thing along the way, you can't replace people. As technology advances and we find ways to do more with less, Justin knows that it's the people that make the difference on the fireground. From his early volunteer days, Justin knew he wanted the experience within an urban department. New Haven, CT became home for Justin, where he had to relearn the job the New Haven way, which was so important to his foundation beginnings as a city fireman. Moving up through the department, he rode with some of the busiest companies and found his way to the Training Academy which lead him to the AC spot. During his tenure, Justin was responsible for so many different opportunities including the organization of their ceremonial unit for recognizing their fallen. During this time, New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres was killed while operating on the fireground on May 12, 2021. A memorable time in Justin's career, a time that we will never forget. From New Haven, Justin took an opportunity to change the scenery and took a job as the Assistant Chief in Greenwich, CT. A new zip code with a while new set of operational challenges. Like his beginning in New Haven, he has had to sit back and listen, learn the Greenwich way and find where he can compliment their department. Justin is up for the challenge and in enjoying his new role. He brings with him a simple approach by not overcomplicating the job. "Added layers, added problems." Justin has plenty of time ahead of him to continue forward progress in the fire service by protecting the old school mentality while allowing growth within his ranks. Maintaining a level of continuity across the board is important to Justin and his approach represents this challenge each day he educates the next generation of firefighters.

Train to your "Operational Reality"... Bobby Eckert can't talk about it enough. It's often discussed about the importance of training but how often do we train to the reality in which we respond and operate?? Does your training represent the actual fireground in which we are tested on daily?? Eckert Fire Tactics brings the streets to the training grounds. This helps build confidence which creates know how and initiative on the fireground. The other side of this is the support from our individual departments for those members that seek external training opportunities. As our firefighters gain experience on the training grounds, they become more effective on the fireground. Support your people and push them to pursue additional training and give them the tools they need to make it happen. Please, don't hold your firefighters back by making it difficult. Ego is a dangerous thing and it always gets in the way.

Another great conversation between Jeremy and Gerard. The reality is, this job is a roller coaster ride. We all experience the highs and lows of the job and with this comes the honest conversation about how we deal with it. Many of us feel the range of emotions throughout our careers and the funny thing is, only those that are into it get this crazy ride. Those that are disconnected and lack excitement and passion about the job don't struggle with the frustration and need for a recharge. "Get out of your firehouse" and see how others are doing it. A part of the conversation that Jeremy and Gerard hit on which is one of many ways to recharge your batteries.

Are you aggressively passionate in everything you do in life. Ofer Lichtman is . Whether it’s with running his business, TraumaPak or sharing his passion for emergency response. Mentorship, operational medicine, leadership and empowerment are all chatted about this week. It’s an episode you don’t want to miss and will have you asking that question. What’s My Size Up???

Eric Hurst is living the dream job he hoped for... From his early years of chasing fire trucks and capturing the action for his vlog, he developed relationships and trust within the firefighting community. From there, he began his journey to where he is today, the PIO for the South Metro Fire Rescue Department in Colorado. His passion for documenting the craft has built a solid foundation in which he, along with his team, have created a nontraditional way in which people have come to know their department. Early on, social media in particular was considered to be dangerous for the job. Eric set out to change that perspective and to use social media to the departments benefit. Today, their YouTube page boasts over 187K subscribers along with countless followers on their other social channels. The job of the PIO in todays' times is exciting and Eric and his team are up for the challenge. Promoting the job, their department and more importantly, educating the public about the service they provide within their communities was the upfront goal, however, there is so much more to the influence they now have across their platforms. With the trust of their administration, the PIO team at South Metro is helping shape and build their department while simultaneously providing education and training for not just their community and department, but the world. This 24 hour a day job is a passion for Eric, so much so, that he has created his own personal YouTube page, Eric Hurst, in which he quickly amassed a large following as well as he documents his travels to different departments. This episode is a glimpse to the inside world of Eric and his daily grind as he represents the best of the fire service.

"Go spread the fireground gospel"... LJay Geist has been a student of the fire service since his early years. Looking for more, he has traveled to conferences and made connections with complete strangers just to push himself forward in the fire service. Making the connections and forming relationships with like minded people has impacted LJay greatly. These relationships make him better and encourages him to step out further and give back to the fire service. He now teaches hands-on and speaks at training events. He sometimes has to pinch himself to realize that he is now standing in front of the room instead of sitting in the crowd. But he has never lost sight of the importance of being a student and learning from those he surrounds himself with. His passion is focused on the main mission, "Promote Growth". We have a duty to protect the job and push those around us to be better. Tailboard Leadership and believing in people drive LJay each day to focus on his game while boosting those up around him. He know has a larger stage than just his fire company, but his message remains the same; go out and spread the fireground gospel!!

How does one know when they become the "Senior Man"?? There is no formal process or recipe for how and when it happens. But there are the ingredients that are necessary for who becomes the "Senior Man". Jess Rodzinka, a Captain with the Charlottesville, VA Fire Department found himself navigating this situation during his 25 year career. The informal leader of the firehouse, this position is often talked about but what is an actual "Senior Man"?? The skills and traits required to carry this title. It's not being the oldest, it doesn't require being the longest serving... it's more than all of that. The one who is looked up to, the one who makes shit happen, the one the boss talks to to make things happen. Respected and protective of the company, its' rules and operations. The list goes on and on with what goes into this pivotal position. Jess dives in and speaks about the ins and outs of the "Senior Man" position and has created a class about it. He speaks from first hand knowledge and experience. His passion for his people, the integrity of the company and the importance of legacy. These traits are all part of the job and meaning of the "Senior Man."

For episode 31, Pip welcomes Rick Roman. Rick is a firefighter with the FDNY and founding member of the @fdny_crossfit affiliate. So yes, these 2 do talk about Crossfit and much much more. Rick talks about his education and working in the sports performance industry as well as his time on the Crossfit Med Team. Rick recently competed in the World Police and Fire Games. So many great fitness and firefighting nuggets were dropped in this episode that will get you asking yourself the question. What’s My Size Up????

Pablo Gener has never been one to settle on where he is, but rather, pursuing his internal quest to be a firefighter in an urban department that goes to fires. His career provided plenty of time and experience with great departments across Florida, but recently landing in Jacksonville fulfills his mission of what he set out for early on. Pablo uses the term, "By the grace of God" when speaking about his "luck" during his career but I believe that we can create our own luck when you are mission focused and doing the right thing. This Cuban immigrant comes from strong, hard working parents who came to the US to provide a better life for him and his siblings. Influenced by his parents work ethic, Pablo grinded, working many different jobs once his baseball career ended and struggled to find his "calling". When he found the fire service, he knew exactly where he wanted to be. From early on, he was influenced by FDNY buff videos, magazines and anything the job could offer. He was hungry to learn more and this pushed him to always want more. He is the co-founder of Build Your Culture with Sean Duffy, he teaches for the National Rescue Consultants, works with the Training Division and travels spreading the good word. His story is exciting and his passion is unmatched. Pablo Gener cannot get enough about the job and continues to find more as his fire service journey continues. -- Contact Pablo on IG @pgen305