Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

Isaac Frazier- 2nd generation Firefighter with 21 years of career experience. Former Capt of Special Ops with St.John’s County Fire/Rescue in Florida. Currently a Firefighter on Truck 2 with Wichita Fire Department, Owner of Tactical Advantage Training & Creator of Into The Job Firefighter symposium. My interview with Isaac went down a few damn good rabbit holes but overall the message given was as Firefighters, husbands, fathers, mothers, wives significant others sometimes we really need to self evaluate ourselves by assessing our own performance and abilities. We should self assess, reflect, criticize, and ask ourselves are we being accountable? It’s no secret Firefighters can eat their own in vicious ways but on the other end Firefighters can rise up to the occasion when needed. My favorite quote from Isaac was “ Some are not who they think they are.”IG: tacticaladvantagetraining & intothejob

29 years of combination experience. Former Assistant Chief of Training, EMS, Mobile Integrated Health and Professional Development for Fort Lauderdale Fire/Rescue. Currently Deputy Fire Chief for Jupiter Fire/Rescue which goes live in 2026. Like so many others I’ve been fortunate to interview the fire service wasn’t on Stephen’s radar. It was his dad who became interested in the profession and grabbed Stephen to go on the same ride with him. After that the rest as they say was history. The conversation Stephen and I had revolve around a few of his passions which include caring for our boots on the ground letting them know they’re valued and appreciated, training and how with this profession must go hand in hand and finally how your work ethic will speak volumes for those around you. IG: stephenfshaw123

24 years of combination experience. Deputy Chief for Haltom City Fire/Rescue in Texas. Growing up Charlie always wanted to be a Firefighter. His dream position was riding Officer for a Ladder company. Charlie got his start with Newport Beach Fire in California and worked there for 20 years rising to the rank of Captain before deciding to move to Texas where he ultimately took the Deputy Chief position for Haltom. Throughout his career Charlie has held himself to standards higher than his department’s expectations. If you are an individual who carries themselves in that regard it’s important to realize others around you may not agree with your ways and that’s ok. You can’t force others to view the fire service the way you do. One of my favorite quotes from Chief is “ You can’t expect somebody to out perform the department’s minimum expectations.” IG: dall.charlie

Matt Adkins- 14 years of combination experience. A Back step Firefighter for South Adams County Fire Department in Colorado on Tower 24. Matt never had the thought of being a Firefighter. Back at home on Summer break Matt saw a help needed sign at the local volunteer department and figured why not give it a shot. Upon entering the doors of the firehouse he was introduced to how individuals coming into the fire service need to view the job and the rest was history. It’s so important when coming into this profession that we seek out the passionate, into the job heavy hitters. Mentorship is key because it provides individuals with personalized guidance, support, and feedback from experienced professionals, helping them navigate challenges, develop new skills, achieve career goals, expand their networks, and grow both personally and professionally, ultimately leading to increased employee retention and a stronger organizational culture. IG: fun_in_retrospect

Anna Beth Robertson- 4 years of career experience. A Engineer/Relief Officer with Starkville Fire Department in Mississippi. Firefighting was never on Anna’s radar. She has family members in the emergency service field but only working in the office setting. It wasn’t until one day a member with Starkville mentioned to Anna to come and train with them during their workouts. After a few sessions one of the members asked “When are you going to have your set of turnout gear?” Which got the wheels spinning for Anna and she never looked back. The thing about mentors is sometimes you don’t even know you have one in your life. Mentors can help you grow as a person and achieve any goal that you put your mind to. And I personally believe the way Anna was raised and the mindset she has towards the fire service she will undoubtedly be a mentor to others. IG: abrobertson98

27 years of combination experience. Battalion Chief with Sevierville Fire Department and Deputy Chief for White Pine Volunteer Fire Department in Tennessee. Josh is a Chief whose mindset centers all around leading by example in everything you do. The higher the rank doesn’t mean the less you do. Josh completed the Georgia Smoke Diver program at 41 becoming the 9th candidate out of Tennessee to do so is a Chief I’d certainly want to work for. But Josh doesn’t let that go to his head. He still strives to remember what being a Firefighter is and doesn’t want the cob-webs to cover his turnout gear. IG: joshsinard

27 years of combination experience. Chief of Fire and Emergency Services for Cranberry Township. Scott got into the emergency services field from his father but it was the EMS route which led Scott to finding his passion with public safety starting out as a junior Firefighter. Scott believes in empowering individuals to be better versions of themselves. Scott also had a hand in forming the Standard Actions for Emergency Response group (SAFER) within Butler county in which 5 different Fire Departments teamed up to operate incident command jointly when it comes to emergency calls within the area. Scott has a vision of trying to provide the best service possible to the citizens and all who come into Butler County.IG: garingscott

9 years of combination experience. 2nd generation Firefighter. A Lieutenant on Ladder 1 for Roanoke Fire/EMS and Assistant Chief with Bedford Volunteer Fire Department. Matt is what I call bit by the fire bug and after hearing him talk you will clearly see why. Matt talks about the fire service with so much passion and conviction it’s contagious to go out there and want to better yourself which we should all strive for. Matt also openly discusses his trials and tribulations when it comes to find that balance between home life and work life. He didn’t have to open up about this but wanted to get the message out that there are times when we as Firefighters are going to need the help that we provide often day after day to the public we serve and there’s no shame in that.IG: beard_12

15 years of career experience. A Backstep Firefighter for New Braunfels Fire Department in Texas. When I invited Joshua to come on his response was why me? I’m just a nobody from nowhere. But when you hear Joshua’s story and most importantly his why the invite to come on will make sense. The conversation had was genuine and flat out awesome. It’s so easy to let getting better at this job sometimes distract our attention from what matters the most. What we need to keep in mind is finding the right balance between what we love and who we love. IG: strongarm30

22 years of combination experience. Captain on Tower 3 for Charlotte Fire Department and Cadre member/instructor with Insight Fire Training LLC. Growing up Thomas wasn’t really on the path of becoming a career Firefighter or attending college. It wasn’t until his senior year of high school that shed possibility of making that dream a reality. So with the advice of his Volunteer Fire Chief and college instructors Thomas found his way to North Carolina. Fast forward to today and Thomas couldn’t have imagined life without being a career Firefighter. Learning from TIC guru Andy Starnes Thomas’s whole outlook on life was shaped by the mentors he had and surrounded himself with. IG: thomas_anderson40