National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

When things get complicated... When we run with well trained firefighters day in and day out, the role of Command can become quite routine. Routine can become complacency, complacency can kill. When things get complicated is not the time to put your lackluster performance to the test. Command staff needs to be on their game each and every time they go out the door. The level of expectation that our people have for accountability and protection from our command staff is unmatched. We expect our incident commanders to be able to work on instinct supported by a firm structure. There is an art to running a well coordinated fire and Nick Martin certainly is OCD about it. As the Chief of Operations for Salisbury, NC Fire Department, Nick has put together a program that keeps the Chief training just like the rest of the department. Command is an integral part of the system and needs to be practiced and deployed always. Ensuring competency on the fire ground and confidence from your people requires the IC to be dialed in. Nick is passionate and well informed when it comes to discussing commanding the fire ground. He travels often speaking on the topic as well as running Combat Ready Fire Training and producing polished social media content to reinforce his beliefs in the job. He is a value resource and is hyper focused on making the job better. --- Check out Nick Martin at www.combatreadyfire.com or shoot him an email at nmartin@combatreadyfire.com

The fire department has taught Tyler Whitfield so many things other than fighting fire. Laundry, cooking and making coffee are skills he did not possess prior to the fire service. With 9 years in the fire service, 6 with Clearwater, FL, Tyler had never had to do those things prior to living in the firehouse. You just don't know what you don't know. Whether it's hooking ceilings or making a fresh pot, the fire department offers an opportunity to learn all aspects of life. It requires patience and mentors. Becoming proficient in the current position before moving on is imperative to Tyler. Today, he finds himself in positions that often are filled by more senior firefighters. But as the job trends younger, these positions still need to be filled and so he has made it his mission to learn everything he can so that he is proficient before moving on. How can you be an engine boss if your own skills are lacking?? Supervising a crew while focusing on your job requires confidence and know how. It takes practice and it takes heart. Tyler has both. Outside of the firehouse, he is the President of the Cigar City FOOLS, works with the County Technical Rescue Team and works with new hires. With his relentless passion for everything fire, Tyler is in the perfect spot to effect change. Recognizing those coming into the job might have some know how and experience, Tyler believes we need to harness that instead of breaking the individual down. Capture their life skills and experience and make it work to the benefit of the department. If the Candidate knows how to flow water, then Tyler can at least teach them how to do their laundry, cook and make the best dam coffee on the job. All of it matters and Tyler believes in paying it forward and making the job (and its' people) better!! -- Continue the conversation with Tyler Whitfield at firefighter3393@gmail.com

Small town roots run deep, very deep. Joe Palumbo, Sr. lives in Pennsauken, NJ, volunteered for Pennsauken, NJ and recently retired from Pennsauken, NJ. His love of the community lead him down the road of finding the fire service. Volunteering in 1994 was a great time to be a fireman in Pennsauken, NJ. Jobs were bountiful and the hook was instant. Joe knew firefighting was going to be his career. After a few stops along the way, Joe found himself hired by his hometown department. He has hit many milestones after 28 years in the fire service, including being the first career Chief for the township. He is certainly proud of the history and culture that is present within the department. But this didn't come with ease. There were tremendous growing pains over the years while transitioning from a large volunteer model to today's combination department. The process was bumpy and not without struggles. Looking back, Joe reflects on how the department was "losing our relevance to the community" and that change was needed. He credits so many that he served with along the way as to why the current fire protection within the township is where it is today. Acknowledging his own sacrifices though, Joe now knows that being caught up in every aspect of the small town fabric certainly can take its' toll. Proud of his accomplishments and where the department is today, Chief of Department Joe Palumbo, Sr. retired at the end of 2022. As he continues to visit the firehouse to share a cup of coffee, it is now his turn to provide the storytelling while keeping the history alive. Educating the next generation about the foundation of this proud department is imperative so that the buy in remains strong. After all these years, Joe's legacy will live on through those that he touched along the way. His demeanor and steadfast approach makes Joe Palumbo, Sr. a stand out. He now gets to watch his son take the reins and continue on the family tradition within the town they love, Pennsauken, NJ

Captain of Planning and Research was never really in the forward vision of Nick Papa's career. He enjoyed being an engine boss and going to fires. He enjoys the personal growth of himself and his crew when they work the fire ground. However, comfort can be a conundrum. Looking for opportunity and future growth, stepping into the role of the Captain of Planning and Research in the New Britain, CT Fire Department took Nick out of his comfort zone and thrusted him into a position that he is enjoying. This new position has allowed Nick to focus on the other aspects of the job that he might not of had the opportunity to learn. His ability to structure their first inhouse recruit academy was a huge win for the department. Nick is now in a larger, more influential position within the department that can affect larger scale change. Protecting the core principals and culture of the department is important and he can ensure that this is prevalent each day when mentoring the next generation. His passion for furthering his own education opens the door for new possibilities in which he can now pass along to his Brothers and Sisters. All of these items coupled with learning the administration side of the job will give Nick the necessary tools to be better. Uncomfortable keeps you learning. Taking a chance on something new is a challenge Nick Papa welcomes. In the course of a career, a quick stop over can be instrumental in personal growth and being a better firefighter and boss. Absorb as much as you can so that you make your time count. Nick is doing just that. -- Check out Nick Papa at www.firesidetraining.org or reach out to him at firesidetraining@yahoo.com. He is a powerful instructor and a published author adding tremendous value to the fire service.

Today Rob sits down with Ithica, NY Firefighter Russell Vidler. Russ is an Army Veteran who was looking for the camaraderie and brotherhood he found serving and found it in the fire department. His natural love for fitness found him now teaching the physical fitness program of the NYS Career Recruit Academy in Montour Falls NY. We talk about fitness, PTSD between the Fire Department and Military and how to be a good husband and father.

Pulling a woman from her burning home in June 2019 thrusted Danny Dwyer into the national headlines for weeks after this fire. One would think that the spotlight was for his heroics and bravery, but in fact, it was for the disciplinary charges that followed that evening. Danny became the "poster child" for the ongoing struggle between firefighters doing their job and the new "safety culture" that has crept into our departments. He performed the way the public blindly expects us to - to provide safety and protection in their worst moments. From this, the "Danny Would Go" movement swept across the American Fire Service. People taking each side of the argument, but where was Danny during all of this commotion?? He was dealing with the fall out and the pressures of being thrusted into a national debate. This wasn't the easiest for Danny and his family but one thing is for sure, he never surrendered his conviction and belief that he performed in the very best traditions of the fire service that night. Danny did go, and he would go again, and again, and again. Staying true and believing in himself, he left the City of Atlanta to focus more on himself and his family. He now rides with a new jurisdiction and he is more excited about the job than ever. He struggled along the way but he found the way back to loving the job and being vindicated by the commission three years later. Life continues to move forward for Danny and he is in a place today where he can influence change. Those principles that let him down back in 2019 will never factor into his mentoring and he'll be dammed to let the public or his people down like he was let down years ago. Danny continues to Go. He doesn't know any other way...

A loyal family man and the life of the party, Rich Stack is just one of those guys who you enjoy being around. His funny antics and sparkling eyes makes him stand out amongst the crowd. His passion for the job and his confidence in himself and his people make Rich a great Boss. Currently assigned as a covering Lieutenant, Rich is on his 22nd year with the Chicago Fire Department. His early days of volunteering with his father set Rich up for wanting to become a career firefighter. After many attempts, his dream became reality and he hasn't looked back. Working in busy companies, Rich gained plenty of experience and knowledge. Teaching for the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), On-Scene Training Solutions, Affordable Drill Towers and a few other organizations, Rich knows training matters. But even the best can get jammed up in a fire. Rich discusses a close call he had on January 6, 2014 in which he found himself in a precarious position. Rich was able to walk away but it left him struggling with his "experience" that day. Working in the busiest company, teaching, walking tall with experience and yet he got jammed up. "It wasn't supposed to happen." Rich discusses the situation and the aftermath of how he dealt with it. The job is full of ups and downs and sometimes we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of it. Rich Stack is friend, Brother and someone I admire. His willingness to share and reflect on his career will certainly help many other firefighters who might struggle with similar situations. Rich makes this job better.

After 22 years with the FDNY, Lt. Steve Gillespie needed a change of scenery. His career spanned with busy companies throughout the Bronx, the majority of his time spent with Squad 41. Finding his way to the Squad Company allowed for Steve to grow as a firefighter, mentored by some of the best firefighters he has ever met. But the position also exposed him alot of the down side of the job as well. Dealing with trauma and tragic incidents such as several LODD fires including September 11, 2001, Steve realized he needed more than just the kitchen table to help him cope with his past experiences. Finding an outlet and changing the scenery led him to retiring from the FDNY and moving to SC to become the Training Captain of the North Charleston, SC Fire Department. This change of pace and distance away from New York City let him focus on himself and the mental and physical healing he needed. Always missing the job up north, Steve found ways to manage his struggles and still remained in love with his childhood passion. Today, he is fully retired and teaches across the country. His immediate focus is on mental health and "Surviving the Job". His class discussed Steve's battles and offers ways to communicate and deal with the daily stresses of the job. "You never know the weight of something until you don't have to carry it anymore." His class is part of his own healing and working with different organizations helps him each day as he shares his story and experiences in hope of reaching others. Steve Gillespie doesn't regret his experiences and the damage that comes with being a firefighter. He does know that not focusing on his own well being could've had a very different outcome. His passion for the job and the Brotherhood keeps him going and allows him to help others even after his second retirement from the job. --- If you want to continue the conversation, you can reach Steve Gillespie at smg9340@outlook.com.

A trending term in the fire service, "Ate Up" accurately defines Ben Wilson. Being "Ate Up" is everything... everything about the fire service. From sun up to sundown and even in his sleep, Ben loves the job and everything that comes along with it. His high energy, infectious love for the job began riding shotgun with Dad in the Chief's Buggy at a young age. From there, every step of the process had him hooked. Going on his 16th year, 9 as a career firefighter in Fauquier County, VA, he is in the sweet spot of relating and understanding the new kids in the firehouse to having a deep appreciation and respect for the senior man. His methods are "goofy" and so is his personality, but that's what makes Ben a standout. Concepts like "Treat the FD like a Gang" or "Be a Fireman, not a Spectator" are just two themes he dives in on. Ben is all in and he wants everyone else around him to be as well. Disconnect?? Grab a puzzle and have the fellas sit down and figure it out together. He's creative, he's a sales man and an operator. Because his passion excites him, be chose to put himself out there and share his passion and experience with the world. Accepting ownership of who he is and his experience, Ben shares alot of it on his Instagram account, @F.D.I.R. Ben has so much in front of him and nothing is going to slow down his drive and excitement. Spend some time with him and you will be better for it. People with an infectious attitude and passion cannot be stopped. Look out for Ben Wilson.

Jeremy ends up on the other side of the microphone for the 24/48 Podcast.