Nick Ledin is a firefighter paramedic with the O Claire Fire Department in Wisconsin, currently assigned to Engine 2. Nick has been a student of the job for over 16 years. He is a major contributor to ‘Firefighter Rescue Survey’, was the former president of the Northland FOOLS, and is an affiliate member of FireNuggets. Nick is a technical committee member for NFPA 1700, he was a former technical panel member for UL FSRI’s PPA and PPV Study as well as a part of UL FSRI’s Public Education Advisory Group. On top of this Nick is a co-host of the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Nick Ledin is a deep thinker and an incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable fireman. This conversation was thought provoking and certainly one of my favorite podcasts to date. In this episode we discussed search, the powerful 2 in 2 out position paper Nick was a part of publishing earlier this year, risk vs reward and of course the infamous attempted heist of the class name “church of search”. https://data-not-drama.com/2024/05/18/removing-two-in-two-out-a-modern-data-supported-defense-of-our-core-mission/https://www.firefighterrescuesurvey.comhttps://www.firenuggets.comhttps://hortonsandhunt.com/

Mickey is a Lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department. He is a third-generation firefighter with 29 years of experience, the last 23 years being with the FDNY. Mickey has been instructor at the New York City Fire Academy, as well as a speaker and instructor at conferences all over the country. He is the founder and author of Top Floor Tactics, and the host of A View From the Top Floor Podcast. When Mickey speaks about the fire service he does so in a poetic manner that invokes passion for this profession. His views are unapologetic, derived from experience, and profound. This was certainly one of my favorite conversations to date. Like all of our podcast I learned a great deal and was left with lots to think about. https://hortonsandhunt.com/

In this episode we got the chance to sit down with Justin McWilliams. Justin is a veteran on the fire service and currently serves the citizens of Clackamas Fire in Oregon as the Captain of Heavy Rescue 5. Anyone who has followed Justin knows he has a unique unapologetic personality. This is exactly what the fire service needs and exactly why I was so stoked to finally have this conversation. Justin is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about search. He has a no nonsense, practical approach to this cornerstone skill of our profession and that’s what we dive deep into during this episode. Justin is the creator of the search culture page on Instagram and if you are not following do so immediately. This page isn’t about looking salty, getting likes, it’s about spreading fact based information and knowledge about search. We hope you enjoy this episode!https://hortonsandhunt.com/

Kyle Romagus is a 21-year veteran with East Montgomery County Fire Department in Texas. He oversees the training division as a Battalion Chief, and in his words, is in love with engine work. Kyle is the owner of smoothbore cartel and founder of Engine Company Resurrection. Kyle teaches engine operations for several well-known fire service instructor groups such as:• FD tactics• Brothers in Battle• Oathkeepers Kyle’s primary objective is to share knowledge about the value of Engine work with his fellow firefighters.Kyle travels the country providing lectures and hands on training on engine company skills and provides one of the most compelling lectures on fire attack in the industry.On top of that his organization provides sponsorship opportunities for firefighters to attend conferences around the country. His efforts are well known, respected, and his instructional methodology is second to none.https://smoothborecartel.com/https://hortonsandhunt.com/

 Today on the podcast, we got a chance to sit down with Logan Broberg. Logan is first and foremost, a proud husband, and a devoted father, however he is also a firefighter with ten years on the job. Currently serving as a Squad Chauffeur in Kissimmee FL. Logan is the Founder of Rogue Firemanship Training, dedicated to honing skills and improving performance. On top of that, you guessed it Logan is A proud Georgia Smoke Diver, #1158 and Georgia Flames graduate, #312. He is a student of the craft, who is clearly passionate about continuous learning of the trade of firemanship. This was an excellent conversation with a hard charger. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.https://roguefiremanship.com/ https://hortonsandhunt.com/

David Rhodes, a 37-year veteran who retired as battalion chief with the Atlanta Fire Department, shares his extraordinary journey in the fire service. He discusses the importance of ambition and mentorship in personal growth, emphasizing how connections formed at conferences shaped his career. Rhodes highlights the unique Georgia Smoke Diver program and its transformative training, revealing the challenges of maintaining quality amid high recruit numbers. He also critiques the balance of formal education versus hands-on experience in leadership roles, underlining the need for compassionate leadership in firefighting.

Anthony Kastros, a 33-year fire service veteran and founder of Trainfirefighters.com, shares insights from his extensive career. He highlights the importance of assertiveness and leadership in firefighting, alongside the need for resilience shaped by personal tragedies. Kastros stresses reviving direct knowledge sharing, bridging leadership gaps in training, and enhancing accountability through video feedback. He also discusses evolving challenges and mental health in the field, advocating for strong, authentic leadership to improve team dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Jarrod Sergi, a Captain at Norfolk Fire Rescue and State Instructor, shares insights on effective leadership in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of building team cohesion and setting clear expectations. Jarrod discusses his journey from firefighter to captain, highlighting credibility and continuous development. He covers navigating morale issues and fostering strong relationships within the team. Additionally, his book, "No Nonsense Leadership," offers practical strategies for company officers, blending humor and professionalism in high-pressure environments.

Clark Glass, a dedicated fire captain from the Atlanta Fire Department with a career spanning over two decades, shares insights into his journey from small departments to leading heavy rescue operations. He discusses the rigorous Georgia Smoke Diver program and the importance of functional fitness for firefighters. The conversation also touches on close calls and lessons learned during dramatic rescues, emphasizing the need for teamwork and intuition in life-threatening situations. Clark’s passion for firefighting shines through as he reflects on the job's calling and the camaraderie within the firefighter community.

Brian Brush, training chief for the Midwest City Fire Department, shares his wealth of experience in the fire service. He discusses his impactful FDIC keynote speech, emphasizing the shift towards rescue operations. The conversation dives into fireground objectives and the importance of tactical adaptability in modern firefighting. Brush advocates for improved training and knowledge sharing to enhance safety and efficiency. His insights on developing future firefighters and evolving training models promise to inspire both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.