National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Five generations and 26 years with the Fire Service, Brad Ascenzi has some very deep roots in the fire service. From football, to the military and into the firehouse, each chapter along the way always circled back to the team mentality. Brad is passionate about his company, those he works with and the importance of making sure we do our part to make the job better. His 23 years with the Houston, TX Fire Department has afforded him incredible opportunities as well as some very close calls. All of this experience is wasted if it is not shared and passed on to the next generation. Brad believes in sweat equity, that experience matters and no piece of paper will replace actually fireground knowledge. We cannot get lost in the administration work of the job but focus on the simple job of hands on firefighting. As the Chauffeur of Tower Co. 18, Brad still pushes himself on the fireground, constantly testing his abilities and knowledge while sharing and talking with his company. Like his early days of team sports, a well coordinated and put together company represents the very best of what we offer on the fireground. We need play makers and go getters, leave the paper certificates behind and bring your physical and mental presence on every run you respond to. A great quote from the episode, "You'll never see a coward get in trouble", sums up exactly what it's like to ride Tower Co. 18. There is no place to hide on the job and we have no room for cowards imitating firefighters. This job requires an all in attitude and Brad Ascenzi certainly sets that tone each day he steps into the firehouse.

A well spoken , intentional and student of the game, Trevor Meador is the guy you want on your apparatus, in your company or just in your life. With 6 years with the Frederick County, MD Fire Department, he is enjoying "Truck House" life. Assigned to Station 4, he wheels the TDA through the tight streets of downtown but also is exposed to the country setting of the rest of the county. He credits his military time in finding discipline and direction so the fire department was a natural fit when he exited the Marines. Discussing the importance of a solid foundation, Trevor strongly believes that the Frederick County academy set him up for success. The system in place pushes the recruits to be the very best they can be which in turn, creates better, long term firefighters and officers. Trevor finds time giving back to his roots by instructing at the academy as well as working with Capitol Fire Training. Trevor was also directly involved in the LODD of Captain Josh Laird, who was killed on August 11, 2021 during a structural fire. Trevor was the covering chauffeur for that fire and he discusses the fire and the impact it had on him and the department. Not coming home with your crew after a fire can be a heavy burden to bare and Trevor discusses this and his ways in dealing with a LODD. "The motivated will find the way" is a quote from the episode and it truly sums up who Trevor Meador is. He lives by this mantra and lives it each day in life.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Motis Fire Rescue. Pip met the guys from Motis out at FDIC, however he has been carrying their SNAGGER TOOL for a few years. In another addition to the way the world works, Motis did a youtube video highlighting Pip’s guest this week Omar. An Icelandic firefighter whose passion for life and becoming better is unmatched. Why is this all strange??? Because the week before this all happened, Pip and his family booked a vacation to Iceland. Pip and Omar chat about all things Iceland, from its landscape to its people. Omar explains how firefighting may be different in his country, there are many similarities. Topics like fitness, mental preparation and crossfit are sprinkled into this episode. As well as Omar's vast knowledge of some amazing books. Pip and Omar chat about balance in life, and Omar describes that balance as basically Chaos. Chaos between the borders of chaos and order. Yet again asking that question. What’s your Size Up???

"When the horns sound, the town comes alive." Quoted by Eric Farley of podcast episode 237, this got Jeremy thinking. So often the guests on the podcast talk about their early days and the influence the fire service has had on them as a child. From there, Jeremy talks shop about the nostalgia of the fire service, legacy firefighters, entitlement, importance of story telling and how we all need to do better. Under 20 with Jeremy is a new segment in which Jeremy tackles different topics that were raised during previous podcast episodes. A quick listen and conversation starter. Take this conversation back to the firehouse and talk about it, because when we do, we make the job better!!

Eric Farley, the Fire Chief of the Westville, NJ Fire Department is the steward of the department's history and its foundation. 37 years in the fire service, 25 as a career firefighter ad the last 13 years as the Chief of Department, Eric fondly remembers his first days with the department. A town divided were the early days of Westville. Two separate fire companies rivaling one another for everything from money to bragging rights. Eric vividly remembers those early days and how important it was to open his ears and listen to those who came before him. Over the course of his career, he never lost his passion for the history and traditions of the department. When the companies merged later in his career, someone had to be the steward of this pivotal time in the Westville Fire Department's history. As many of the old timers faded away, Eric continues to protect the stories and efforts of those early days. It's important to remember your roots so that you do not lose sight of the big picture. Today, Eric wonders who will take the lead after he is gone, sharing the stories on which the department was created. We can only hope that the endless repeat stories around the apparatus bay or kitchen table stick with someone who will be the next historian of the fire department. These stories keep the memory alive and fuels the conversation for the next generation of firefighters. Eric Farley isn't going anywhere anytime soon. He still has a lot of work to accomplish while continuing to educate those he influences each day.

Ep 236. Reboot of Ep 136. We're the Watchers - Mo Davis by Jeremy Donch

This week Pip is joined by Mallory from Born Primitive for episode 21 . Pip was fortunate enough to meet Mal close to 10 years ago when BP was in its humble beginnings. Mallory and her team have grown exponentially over that time period. Becoming a force to reckoned with in the apparel space. Pip and Mal talk about fashion, athleisure wear and most importantly, JORTS. If you don’t know what they are, well listen in to learn about this amazing piece of apparel. Mallory talks about BP humble roots, unapologetically patriot mission and where the company is heading. Pip also introduces a new segment at the end of this episode. The Size Up 10, ten questions , rapid fire that will cause anyone to ask themselves that age old question. What’s my Size Up??

This week's Pip Talk is focused on my favorite show, Ted Lasso. Sadly, it has come to its end. But, that's not so bad. There's so much to talk about and this is just the start. Whats your favorite Ted Lasso (the show, not the guy) line????

Jeremy and Rob recently hosted a roundtable at the Ragtop Industries Open House on June 3, 2023. Included on the panel was Pete Callan, New haven, CT / Ragtop Owner, Assistant Chief Justin McCarthy, Greenwich, CT, Paul Conway, Conway Shields, Lt. Robert James, Frederick County, MD / Capitol Fire Training, Dan MacAuley, Boston, MA, Jay Erban, New London, CT and Ron Smith, Gary, IN.

Dallas Cooper @thedallascooper Keri Lawson @kerrij23 Rob Ridley @fairview39 Let’s work together to create a “Survivable Space” within the fire service. We all talk about creating a survivable space for victims in burning buildings, but this is The Size Up, so the Survivable Space here is not what you may think. June is Pride month and we brought back two past guests Dallas and Keri to talk about their experience within the fire service. Rob Ridley from National Fire Radio joins Pip this week as a co host. Last year for Pride month Rob and Pip spoke with Dallas about his experience as a firefighter for the City of Houston. Keri joins the crew from South Carolina this year to continue that discussion with Dallas. Throughout the episode Keri and Dallas offer up a “toolbox” of advice that everyone can pull information from to understand and implement an inclusive environment within their crew and station. Rob was able to apply a very common fire service term, creating a survivable space into something we all need to do better. Especially when it comes to our interactions with each other and asking ourselves the question. What’s My Size Up?