National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Today Rob sits down with Peter Volkmann to talk about CISM, mental health, and how first responders of today are tackling mental health as a whole. Pete was also Rob's initial trainer for in CISM when he joined the Hudson Valley Critical Incident Debriefing Team.

Episode 213. Walt Lewis by Jeremy Donch

Episode 212. Kestin Wiemer by Jeremy Donch

Episode 14 of The Size Up by National Fire Radio was sponsored by Mercedes Textiles. They want to know, just how often you CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT. Now, being a hose manufacturer , you may think they mean the equipment on your apparatus, but they aren’t talking about that equipment. They mean YOUR EQUIPMENT. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and Merecedes has partnered with the not for profit DETECT TOGETHER.

Jason Messerschmidt, Director of North American Sales for Teledyne FLIR joins Jeremy for an active discussion about thermal imaging and Teledyne FLIR’s commitment to the fire service. Celebrating their 10th anniversary of their popular K series thermal imaging camera, Teledyne FLIR proudly boasts that they are the inventors of thermal imaging. Through advancement in technology, they have been able to make thermal imaging cameras available for all positions on the fire ground. Situational cameras for condition monitoring and tactical cameras that can be utilized for more advanced decision making, Teledyne FLIR has a camera for your needs. Their continued push to drive down costs while manufacturing better technology is at the core of their mission. Combining a traditional mindset with the latest advancement in technology allows for a more efficient and effective firefighter. Teledyne FLIR is committed to the fire service by providing the very best products while ensuring education and training remain at the forefront of practical application. Changing the game and pushing the job forward will continue to fuel Teledyne FLIR’s drive to ensure the best possible equipment for today’s fire service.

Andy Plofkin enjoys his life. His no excuse love for the fire service has created so many incredible experiences along his journey. From his early childhood days of watching and wanting to emulate those who served with his family in the fire department, Andy knew he had a long road ahead of influencing in the fire service. His influence comes in the form of over 40 years serving as a firefighter as well as working in the industry for over 30 years. Currently working as the Director of North American Regional Sales for Safefleet, the company that owns such popular brands such as Elkhart Brass, FoamPro, FRC and Rom, Andy travels half the year educating and supporting the fire service. His connections are vast and his reach is immense. When he's not teaching, making connections or closing a deal, he enjoys life by the lake and takes time to think about the fortune he has had along the way. Proud to be a fire buff and the heritage from which he came, he proudly talks about his family and the guys he still rides with at the local volunteer firehouse. Andy Plofkin has immense joy looking back on his years traversing this nation educating and talking fire. There's nothing better than that... or perhaps, there is. The perfect Old Fashioned. He has had plenty of years to perfect his pour and he is willing to share his secret so that other can enjoy the delicious brown cocktail that he so eloquently talks about.

"Everything Matters" is the underlying theme of Brandon Lewis' life. He'll tell you alot of luck played a part in his career and the fortunate events that have led him to where he is today. But after getting to know him, one thing is for certain; he has created alot of his own luck. Opportunity can be found but you have to put in the hard work, have the passion to pursue it and then know when to execute on it. Brandon has that flare about him. Leaving home and chasing fires, Brandon found himself in a new place and it was his mission to become grounded there and to be the best he could be. Finding strong mentors and his willingness to learn, Brandon has found himself the opportunities he had been looking for. Now a Lieutenant at Co. 14 in Atlanta, GA, his move from the backseat to the front seat has not been without plenty of learning along the way. "Trust the Process" and your "Sphere of Influence" are two things that continues to push Brandon to be better. His endless laughter and constant smile reaffirms his love of the job. Being apart of the Fire Life Training team and teaching others around him has pushed him to continue his learning as well. He is a constant student and someone who has plenty more to give back to the fire service. Brandon Lewis is an infectious person with his love and passion, not just for the fire service but the people he surrounds himself with. "Everything Matters" to Brandon and it should... it has made him the person he is!! Well done brother!!

10 year Philadelphia firefighter Dave Weinman wanted one thing early on in his career, more fires. "Trying to find more fires" was something Dave wanted so that he could be the firefighter he always wanted to be. Landing at Ladder 13 on the west side of Philadelphia is home for Dave and he hopes to stay there until the day he walks out on his terms. Mentors early in his career coupled with his own pursuit of "Pride and Ownership" set the stage for his tinkering with tools and equipment. Always being hyper focused on whatever he set his mind to, Dave continued to learn the tools of the trade in addition to finding it as a way to learn something new. From there, he taught himself how to renovate his home, restore old infrastructure and frankly, became a jack of all trades. Realizing his passion for the restoration industry, he began his own YouTube channel, "Parts and Restoration", on the advise of his brothers in the firehouse. From there, this father of two became successful in the space and was soon being part of a television series on the History channel, "Secret Restoration". Dave credits his all of this to his hard work and his willingness to fail. "We cannot ignore our mistakes" is something Dave is adamant about. It's a part of life and certainly apart of being a firefighter. Dave Weinman is exactly who he is and he doesn't want to be anything else. Things become really good when you become content and happy with who you are as a person. Dave has an incredible future ahead while he continues on his life's journey of being the guy he chooses to be. -- Check out Dave Weinman's YouTube channel, "Parts and Restoration".

With 756 podcast’s under his belt, James Geering is what we may describe as a serious podcaster. Pip was stoked to be able to interview him, being that Pip has been a guest on the Behind the Shield Podcast , not once, not twice, but three times. James and Pip spend their time talking about the vast array of guests he has had the privilege of interviewing and learning from. Hence the title of this episode , The Perpetual Student. James speaks of his goals for himself, the podcast and his listeners. As well as some of the issues that are currently plaguing Emergency Service providers worldwide. We highly recommend adding Behind the Shield to your current podcast rotation, or you can literally pick through past episodes if you are looking for more information on a specific topic. James is also an author, his book, One More Light can be found on his website or Amazon. IG:@behindtheshield Website. www.jamesgeering.com

Throw back episode of the The Coffee Table Podcast that debuted in 2021.