National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

With over 30 years in the fire service, Darren Brinkkoeter still remembers the sights and sounds of growing up as a fireman's kid. Hiding in the back of his fathers car as he races off to the fire in town, Darren knew very early on that firefighting was in his bones. There was little chance he wasn't going to end up riding those firetrucks he so loved growing up. Those years greatly influenced his passion and desire to be the best firefighter he could be. Spending 27 years with the New Braunfels, TX Fire Department, retiring as a Battalion Chief, Darren had the opportunity to work alongside his father early on in his career. Upon retiring, he served as the Chief of Department for the Canyon Lake, TX Fire Department, a growing department and community that presented many challenges. Darren enjoyed his time in Canyon Lake, expanding services and leaving his stamp on the department they are today. He currently is a Region Section Chief for the Texas Division of Emergency Management where he puts his management and communication skills to work during large scale emergencies and responses. Darren's knowledge and demeanor is steadfast and his passion and love for service is ever present. Even many years after retiring from New Braunfels, TX, Darren is still invited back annually to speak with the new firefighters about the tradition and history of the department. This gives him great pride in still being apart of the process while giving back to the fire service that gave him so much throughout his life. He is a humble gentleman who has so much to offer to those who are fortunate enough to meet him.

On todays throwback episode, Jeremy and Rob are joined by the OG himself, retired lieutenant David Gallagher of the Huber Heights Ohio Fire Department. The OG shares with us his stories about coming up through a changing fire service and shares some of the personal events that shaped who he has become in his career. Currently, Dave is continuing to pass on his knowledge as an instructor with the Massachusetts Fire Acadmey and OSTA.

This month marks the 5th anniversary since NFR launched. It has been an incredible journey. This is a quick conversation about our beginning and the foundation in which we continue to build upon today.

Jeremy opens the Northeastern Fire Summit with his keynote, Bridging the Gap. New England FOOLS, March 3-5, 2023.

20 years in the fire service, the last 8 with Sacramento, CA, Steve McClain knows one thing... he wanted to run with fast paced companies and go to fires. Sacramento offers a wide variety of opportunity and admittedly, Steve will tell you the knob is the best seat in the game, but the truck certainly offers more opportunity. And opportunity is what he likes. Sacramento has an organized approach to work. Fluid riding positions and a culture that breeds aggressive firefighting. These factors are built upon the hard work of those that came before Steve and the firefighters' of Sacramento. So it is imperative to protect these values and continuing the mission of keeping the job good. Steve has a passion for training and working with the next generation. Being able to help shape the narrative while instilling the right stuff into the recruits has made for an enjoyable time as a Drill Instructor. "True Believers" sums up everything that is good about the job and Steve's love for Sacramento. He is careful to protect the job while making sure he does his part in moving it forward. "West Coast" Steve has been coming east coast for some time now working with Eckert Fire Tactics and being afforded the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with Brothers from the right coast. Steve McClain is not slowing down anytime soon. Protecting the job and making an impact will keep him busy for a long time to come.

JP Sokolowski is a career firefighter with the newly formed Wenatchee Valley Fire Department in Washington state. This picturesque location is now home to two departments joining forces to better serve the public. Taking two different cultures, sets of rules, guidelines and anything else you can think of and then putting them together to make something new will certainly present some challenges. Forging forward, it takes time to build culture. It has to be organic. How do you know who you are when traditions and experiences are just beginning to happen? They are at the beginning of their history so finding themselves and discovering their culture is a huge part of the equation. JP is up for the challenge and in fact, he works hard to help shape the future by focusing on today. He has a passion to teach and inspire which is why he instructs and creates. JP's contribution to the fire service far exceeds the Wenatchee Valley region. He is a successful artist and creator. His social media reach has opened doors across the globe creating new designs, logos and artwork for the fire service. He is helping craft the narrative for culture throughout fire companies by capturing the uniqueness of each company he designs for. So, when JP is not in the firehouse or on the training grounds, he can be found attached to his tablet drawing, designing and building pride for firefighters globally. Mixing both passions has allowed for tremendous growth for himself and it continues to push him each day in making the job better. -- Check out JP on his IG @jp_sokolowski_art

When you show interest and treat people right, it leaves a lasting impression on them. Brandon Strickland, a Battalion Chief with Decatur, AL remembers all to well his chance encounter he had at 8 years old with the local fire department. From that day forth, the groundwork was laid and Brandon knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Through the volunteer service as a teenager, to becoming a Youth Minister early on, Brandon focused on community and service. Pursuing a full time career path was only a matter of time. "You just can't preach the sermon, you have to live it out." These words spoken by Brandon sum up his passion and love for the job and the people we serve. He believes in integrity, a strong moral compass and building those up around you while pushing yourself to always be better. Purpose, Passion, Discipline and Excellence. Four talking points that drive home Brandon's commitment to the fire service are front and center in this episode. Continuing his strive for excellence, he is the program chair and lead instructor for the Alabama Smoke Divers, a program designed to push specific individuals to push their physical and mental abilities in moving this job forward. Brandon's commitment is undeniable and he is certainly unapologetic that he loves the job!!

"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!!

Grip and Rip!! Rob and Jeremy dive into personal accountability and how it relates to the good, the bad and the ugly of leadership. -- Email the Show!! podcast@nationalfireradio.com

20 years later and the scars of February 20, 2003 still remain present in so many lives. This is a replay episode from 2022 in which we sat down with Jason Erban at RagTop Industries and captured his story which included responding to the Station Nightclub fire 20 years ago. A moving and powerful story by someone I truly admire in the fire service. -- Today we sat down for a special interview on location at RagTop Industries with Retired Warwick RI Lieutenant Jason Erben. Jason’s career in Warwick spanned 21 years where he retired as the Lieutenant of Special Hazards 1. We hit on family influence from Jason’s Father being a retired Battalion Chief, PTSD, growing up in the fire service, and the accomplishments of his career. But one event stands out and Jason shares with us the story of a bitterly cold night in February of 2003 when the alarm rang in for the Station Nightclub. February 20th of 2003 would prove to be one of many pivotal fires in Jason’s career and during our time he touches on the superhuman response of that evening, his family's involvement, and why sharing this experience is crucial in keeping the memory of those we lost from this incident alive. Jason recently found himself being called back to the job and has since started a second career with New London Fire (CT), is an instructor with Eckert Fire Tactics, Vector Rescue, and the Rhode Island Fire Academy as a Tech Rescue Instructor. This episode is one you won’t want to miss.