Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

8 years of career experience. A Master FF/Medic on Engine 10 with Virginia Beach fire department recently transferred to the training division. Matthew has a strong and I mean strong passion when it comes to Engine work, water mapping and the science of water application. Even though he only has 8 years on when you hear Matthew talk you’d think he’s been on the job longer than that. The discussions we have in this episode were simply amazing and truly hope the listeners gain a little bit of gems from it. IG: mrwuwu_

18 years of volunteer and career experience. A Captain on Ladder 301 for Summerville Fire/Rescue in South Carolina. Kevin shares an experience he had during his younger years when he thought as he describes “Being invincible” finally caught up to him. Fast forward years later as a company officer he gets a phone call that forever changed his life. Mental health is a very important topic for Kevin that he doesn’t take for granted and wants others to know the days of leaving your feelings at the door before coming into work should be past tense. IG: charlestonfences

6 years of career and volunteer experience. A Lieutenant with Garden City Fire/Rescue in Georgia assigned to Engine 201. Mike comes from an array of government work that ultimately led him to finding his path into the fire service. What’s truly remarkable about Mike is his sense of humility that although he is a company officer he doesn’t put himself above the rest of the individuals he works with. Yes he’s an Officer but still a Firefighter at heart that’s still learning and just wants to be “Out in the streets” doing Engine work. IG: mg_mm77

Nate Shuler- 17 years of career experience. A Lieutenant with the City Of Winder Fire Department where he is assigned on Engine 1. Bearers Of The Oath Cadre member who has formed a strong passion with everything Search. Nate was a Fireman who was afraid to get out of his comfort zone when it came to training until one day a co-worker invited him out to the MAFFC conference. After attending that one outside event it was game over and forever changed the way Nate viewed outside training and getting out of your own bubble to explore what the fire service truly is.IG: natethagreat207

22 years of volunteer and career experience. A recently promoted technician on Rescue Squad 3 for the DCFD. As Eric began his career deep down he always wanted to go and work for a metropolitan size department. In 2014 he took a leap of faith and applied for a lateral transfer and was accepted thus living the dream. Eric started out on the Engine but the ultimate goal was to be assigned to one of the 3 Squads in DC. There’s no secret that if you have a goal in mind and want to achieve it the work has to be put in point blank and Eric Budd is a true example of this.IG: huntinfishinfireman

20 years of career and volunteer experience. A floating Captain with Howard County Fire Rescue in Maryland. I was fortunate to be able to meet Josh at the 2024 Training Days in Greensboro a few weeks back where he presented a fantastic presentation on RIT/Mayday & being overall fit for duty. The conversation Josh and I had was very informative, insightful and should make us all think as Firefighters what we can do to improve and be better. But also the very real and true realities of the job when it comes to actually facing a mayday situation within our own department. IG: forged_and_unbroken_fire

Comes from a long line of volunteer Firefighters. 4th generation Firefighter with 18 years of volunteer and career experience becoming the first Career Firefighter within his family. Currently a Lieutenant with the City of Xenia Fire Division in Ohio. Cory believes strongly in outside training, transparency within respective crews and forming a positive culture within firehouses. Although we need Fire department leaders to be on board with certain changes in culture water boils from the bottom and in order to effect change we must first look within ourselves. IG: cstroup30

4th generation Firefighter with 19 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a Firefighter/Training Officer with the Decatur Fire Department in Texas on Squad 115. James has a huge love for being physically prepared for what the job can bring and passion for adequate training. What sets James apart from others is his willingness and openness to discuss a part of his life some would never want to share out in the open. The term Mistake means a wrong judgement, wrong action proceeding from faulty judgement. The truth is whether you want to admit it or not we all have had our own mistakes in life no one is perfect and we weren’t made to be. What’s important is that we learn from it, correct it and keep moving forward while surrounding ourselves with individuals who don’t judge us.IG: cookiebravo1

Jesse Horton, a seasoned firefighter, discusses family legacy, fire department operations, formation of a training company, community initiatives, complexities of emergency services, discipline, policies, gray areas in firefighting, truthful communication, and firefighter wellness in an engaging conversation.

20 years of career experience. A senior backstep Firefighter with the Philadelphia Fire Department on Ladder 14 which is one of the busiest ladders in Philly. Jesse is a second generation Firefighter. Although he wanted nothing to do with the fire service at first he ended up following the footsteps of his father (Also a truckie)who retired with over 25 years of dedicated service. Jesse loves the job and has a smile on his face every time he shows up for duty. His end goal is simple, leave the job better than he found it and also going to fires.IG: firedog4514