5-Alarm Task Force!

By Steve Greene

What's 5-Alarm Task Force! about?

News and Issues For Today's First Responders. We provide some of the top mentors, leaders and members of the Fire Service from the U.S. and Canada.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

5-Alarm Task Force! episodes:

04.08.2024
Episode 235: Episode 8-17 -Inspector Bradley R. Davidson – “The Flames of Fire”
If you have been or still are a firefighter and you have a few years (or more) under your belt, you have probably had a couple of “workers” that gave you a bit more than an east knockdown.Initially then, the...
03.08.2024
Episode 234: Episode 8-16 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – A 4-Person LODI & Successful Retention & Recruitment Campaign
There is no doubt that Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson has had a well-experienced path in the fire service, starting as a 15-year-old “water boy” and “hanger-on” to learn as much about firefighting as possible. It wasn’t long before Jacob was...
03.04.2024
Episode 233: Episode 8-15 – Capt. David Wiklanski – “The Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative”
David Wiklanski is an Engine Company Captain for an urban fire department in New Jersey. He has over twenty years in Emergency Services. Wiklanski is a speaker and writer, with most of his presentations on behavioral health, in addition to...
02.16.2024
Episode 232: Episode 8-14 – Nic Higgins & Chief Tom Marchiano – The New Firehouse Tribune
If you’re a firefighter and you have been on social media oh, let’s say some time around 2011, you could not help but notice the frequent posts from The Firehouse Tribune. Then, it was a couple of firefighters posting some...
02.09.2024
Episode 231: Episode 8-13 – Chuck Moran – Online Video Mastery
We all know that many fire departments across the country, both career and volunteer are struggling with retention and recruitment. And most are looking for new ways and/or tools to assist them in this endeavor. Sure, there’s advertising in the...
12.14.2023
Episode 230: Episode 8-12 – Chief Brian Fennessy (Orange County CA Fire Authority & Asst. Chief (ret) Scott Jones (L.A. County Fire & Rescue – “The QRF Program”
Mutual aid – fairly common in the fire service, right? Sure, there can be “stumbling blocks” in setting these arrangements up, such as personnel, different equipment, availability and even what might be seen as “silly” issues, like egos and a...
11.17.2023
Episode 229: Episode 8-11 – Peter Matthews – “What We Can Learn From an Uber Driver” & Retention and Recruitment for the Fire Service
Almost every industry in the U.S. has its “Trades,” that is, magazines devoted to and about that industry. The U.S./Canadian fire services are no different. There are numerous periodicals for us to choose from, one of which is the one...
11.08.2023
Episode 228: Episode 8-10 – Gamaliel Baer, PhD – The Need for Diversity of Mind, Body & Soul in the Fire Service
The American career Fire Service has often used basic testing and an interview of two when seeking new hires. And that may have served the need, “back in the day.” However, now into the third decade of the 21st Century,...
11.05.2023
Episode 227: Episode 8-9 – Nick Peppard & Sean Duffy – “Make Due” 3 Years Later
We have all seen videos on the news or on social media of big-city fire departments doing their “thing.” Lots of apparatus and a large contingent of firefighters and support staff. It is often an amazing site and sometimes, we...
10.25.2023
Episode 226: Episode 8-8 - Capt Mike Daley - FIREHOUSE Expo & Fireground Survivability
Every profession has standouts. These are the men and women who always strive to do their best for their profession, often going beyond the average levels and striving to always be prepared and ready to bring their “A-Game!”My guest on...
10.12.2023
Episode 225: Episode 8-7 – Kory Pearn – CRACKYL Magazine
We often refer to the “trades,” the publications of fire service, for learning tactics, theories, seeing new equipment and new developments in apparatus. However, there is more to what we do than simply, “How to…” More importantly, to do this...
10.06.2023
Episode 224: Episode 8-6 – Andi Clark – 1st Responder Physical & Behavioral Health
My guest on this podcast is Andi Clark. She is a certified Sleep, Stress and Resilience coach with over 30 years in the health and wellness industry. She specializes in teaching First Responders how to enhance their sleep quality, regardless...
09.28.2023
Episode 223: Episode 8-5 – Jim Burneka – Where Are We Today With PFAS?
Difficult to believe that the Firefighter Cancer Initiative is about six years old. A strong part of the credit goes to our Brothers and Sisters with the Boston Fire Department. Without their moving video, we may not have crossed into...
09.20.2023
Episode 222: Episode 8-4 - Danny Beauvais - "Student of the Game"
What type of firefighter are you? No, I’m not talking about engine, truck or rescue companies! How dedicated are you to what we do? Do you do/study/learn only what you are required to or are you a “student of the...
09.06.2023
Episode 221: Episode 8-3 - Capt. Dustin Lambert, PhD - "Driving Under the Influence of Dispatch!"
You are sound asleep. You’ve had a busy day with lots of runs. Add the training that was squeezed in and you’re exhausted. You lie down on your bunk and you’re “out like a light!” Seconds later, the horn blares...
08.31.2023
Episode 220: Episode 8-2 - Chief (ret) Charles Werner - "DroneResponders and More Tech!"
There is an old adage in the fire service that what firefighters hate the most are “status quo” and “change!” Doesn’t leave much wiggle room, does it? Nevertheless, our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force!” Chief (ret) Charles...
08.11.2023
Episode 219: Episode 8-1 – Mynda Ohs, PhD – “Fully Involved Life” & “When the Calls Stop”
It is no secret that behavioral health has become an important topic, not just in the fire service, but for all arms of first responders. We are losing far too many of our Brothers and Sisters to their own hands,...
06.24.2023
Episode 218: Episode 7-19 – Diane Cotter – The State of the PFAS Battle Today
If you are a firefighter, career, volunteer, paid-on-call, WUI, etc., and you do not know anything about PFAS/PFOS, you are woefully behind in your firefighting education. I know, because I did not know about it either until 2017 when I...
06.13.2023
Episode 217: Episode 7-18 – Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez & Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle – The Firefighter Cancer Initiative
We are honored to welcome back our guests for this podcast, Dr. Caban-Martinez and Dr. Schaefer Solle, who head up the FCI in Florida and share their findings with medical and research teams across the country and in other countries,...
06.10.2023
Episode 216: Episode 7-17 – Deputy Chief Dave Robertson – “Hiring Based on Character”
It is no secret that fire departments across North America are “hungry” for more firefighters, including career, volunteer, paid-on-call and WUI. Why? There are various reasons behind it and if departments are to be successful in this endeavor, it might...
06.03.2023
Episode 215: Episode 7-16 – Chief John Vance – “Culture in Your Fire Service”
In the last ten-to-fifteen years, we have heard various terms used to describe the fire service, e.g., “We’re a family,” and “We have a culture.” In a number of ways, both of these phrases can be used with both positive...
05.05.2023
Episode 214: Episode 7-15 – Capt. Mike Daley – NFPA 1700 & Kill the Flashover
If you are a firefighter dedicated to being the best you can be, then this podcast/video is for you! Our guest is Capt. Mike Daley, who has nearly 40 years’ experience as a firefighter, officer and instructor. He has presented...
04.27.2023
Episode 213: Episode 7-14 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – Humanity in the Fire Service
When we talk about the fire service and firefighters, our thoughts often go to firefighters working at a fire, HazMat scene, big and shiny apparatus, the firehouse and more. However today, more than ever, we need to look at the...
04.13.2023
Episode 212: Episode 7-13 - Andrew Cunningham - The Wheeling WV Fire Buffs
For decades and decades, young children have always been enamored, curious and excited to see fire apparatus. Whether it was/is an engine, truck, rescue or even a “buggy,” we all loved to see the flashing lights and hear the sirens....
03.30.2023
Episode 211: Episode 7-12 – Chris Kessinger – Citizens First Fire Training
As firefighters we spend a large part of our careers learning our craft. Some learn from the start and keep it going throughout their careers. Others think that from the academy they learned what was necessary and only continue their...
03.02.2023
Episode 210: Episode 7-11 – The Responder Safety Institute & HASS Alert – “Distracted Driving”
We see it almost every day and sometimes, we are as much to blame as anyone else. We’re talking about distracted driving and the very real, very dangerous and fatal toll that it causes. From long conversations on your cell...
02.19.2023
Episode 209: Episode 7-10 – District Chief Vernon Hiller – “Firefighting & Beyond”
Challenges…this job has plenty of them! To be a firefighter, there are certain attributes necessary, e.g., good physical condition, willingness to learn, practice tasks, dedication to the task, being aware of what you are getting yourself into, etc. Perhaps this...
02.09.2023
Episode 201: Episode 7-9 – Brad Davidson & Chief Arjuna George – “Burn Out” & New Books
If you’ve been a firefighter for more than a year or two, you probably realize that this job is not what you thought it was when you were an adolescent, teen or even a young adult. This profession, career, volunteer,...
01.18.2023
Episode 200: Episode 7-4 – Dennis Fox – SmokeAlarmSafety.Org
If you purchased a toaster-oven and it either did not toast correctly or it burned everything you put in, what would you do? What about that beautiful new refrigerator that matches your décor, but all the frozen food defrosted and...
01.14.2023
Episode 199: Episode 7-8 – Chief Anthony Correia – “Character, Attitude & Values”
Chief Anthony Correia has over forty years’ experience in both Fire and EMS. A past chief in Missouri and New Jersey of both career and volunteer departments, he has taught around the country and at local, regional and national conferences....
12.28.2022
Episode 198: Episode 7 - 7 - Chief (ret) Todd LeDuc - 2022 Review
Chief (ret) Todd LeDuc is currently the Chief Strategy Officer of Lifescan Wellness Centers. Prior to this position, he served as the Executive Assistant Chief of the Broward Sheriff’s Office – Division of Fire-Rescue, working his way up from paramedic...
12.22.2022
Episode 197: In Memory of Chief bBobby Halton - His Podcast on 17AUG2014
This past Monday evening, December 19th, the Fire Service suffered the loss of a pillar of our Community, Chief Bobby Halton. Chief Halton was the Executive Editor of "Fire Engineering," and the director of the annual FDIC. His love for...
12.08.2022
Episode 196: Episode 7-6 – Chief (ret) Marc Bashoor – After-Action Reports & More
Chief (ret) Marc S. Bashoor has over thirty years of Fire/Rescue experience, including rising from firefighter to Chief of the Prince George MD Fire-Rescue Department, which is the largest integrated combination career and volunteer department in the U.S. He has...
11.18.2022
Episode 195: Episode 7-5 – Capt. E.J. Henninger – A Firefighter & Fire Protection Systems Engineer
As society evolved over the last fifty years, more and more people learned, either via determination or happenstance, to “wear multiple hats.” And that trend has probably grown as opposed to, abated. Our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,”...
11.03.2022
Episode 194: Episode 7-3 – William “Bill” Dungey – Resilience & “The Wedge”
If you are a firefighter, we know that the work we perform is taxing, throwing and climbing ladders while wearing over 40 pounds of gear AND carrying tools, being on the nozzle, etc. With that said, many feel that they...
10.28.2022
Episode 193: Episode 7-2 - Blue Card & B-Shifter - MAYDAYS & Radio Traffic With Nic Brunacini & Josh Blum
There are instructors, local, regional and national conferences and you can learn tactics galore. But back in the late '60's and 70's, the late Chief Alan Brunacini helped to change our way of thinking on the fireground, especially for those...
05.26.2022
Episode 192: Episode 6-20 – Chief Brandon Fletcher – Leadership, Ownership & Volunteers
The face of the volunteer fire service has changed dramatically since my days back in the mid-1970’s and early 1980’s. The day-to-day dynamics of our society have changed dramatically and made it more challenging for people to be able to...
05.18.2022
Episode 191: Episode 6-24 – “The EFO Program,” Part II with Helen Johnson, Chief Nelson Pyle and Chief Harold Phillips
This is Part II of our presentation about the EFO (Executive Fire Officer) program, offered at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg MD. Our guests went through the long educational process needed to achieve this level. While one is required...
04.20.2022
Episode 190: Episode 6-22 – Ryan Johnston - Owner Maine-lac Training – Ladder Placement on College Campuses
Whether you call them ladders, trucks, towers, platforms or tillers, ladder operations are in their own category. And our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” knows his category very well!Ryan Johnston is a 24+ year career firefighter and...
04.09.2022
Episode 189: Episode 6-21 – “The EFO: What It Was, What It Is & What It Will Be – Part I
Many of us have seen or heard of the acronym, EFO. However, how many of us actually know what it stands for: Executive Fire Officer. Does the designation apply to any level of Chief? Could any firefighter, of ant rank,...
03.13.2022
Episode 188: Episode 6-19 – Cory Hohs & Brock Aun of HAAS Alert
Within the last decade, one of most dangerous calls that first responders respond to, are emergencies on active roadways. In 2021 alone, 65 first responders (fire, police, EMS, recovery operators road rangers) died when stuck by a vehicle while on...
02.25.2022
Episode 187: Episode 6-18 – Capt. James “JP” Childers
Training…some of us love it, some don’t. Some enjoy teaching…some don’t. However, there are those who are teachers, instructors and mentors, who have the passion to teach and our guest today, is one of those with a strong passion to...
02.19.2022
Episode 186: Episode 6-17 – Chief Justin Bailey – The Importance of a Training Calendar
It is no secret that voluntarism is at a low in this country. Society always changes and evolves and with that said, this problem is far broader than just the volunteer fire service. Even before the pandemic, fewer and fewer...
02.04.2022
Episode 185: Episode 6-16 – Battalion Chief John Hayowyk Jr & Capt. James Kovacs
On January 14, 2022, a massive fire erupted at a pool chemical and supplies manufacturing plant erupted into a massive inferno in Passaic NJ. Due to its location, it was first called in as a car fire on a highway...
01.20.2022
Episode 184: Episode 6-14 – Lt. Aaron Zamzow – Fire-Rescue Health & Fitness
No stranger to “5-Alarm Task Force,” returning guest and good friend, Aaron Zamzow joins us to discuss the new level of his company, “FRF – Fire Rescue Fitness. These topics have been very important to Aaron for over 15 years. Having...
01.15.2022
Episode 183: Episode 6-13 – “Make Do Your Damn Can Job!”
Strange title for an episode, right? Not if you know my guests for this episode. Our comrades and friends, Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson, Captain Nick Peppard and Lt. Jason Liska, “dropped by” to discuss our mutual passions and concerns. Each of...
12.11.2021
Episode 182: Episode 6–12 – Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski
I am pleased to welcome back an excellent fire officer, instructor, mentor, author and friend, Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara CA Fire Department. Too much time has passed since his last appearance and we are glad that our schedules...
12.02.2021
Episode 181: Episode 6–11 – FF Jason Burns – The PFAS in Our Bunker Gear
Cancer and other dangers we face in the fire service are not new topics, but they have “morphed” a bit. Initially, it was though that only those who worked the “Pile” after 9|11 were being affected. Then, the various carcinogens...
11.25.2021
Episode 180: Episode 6–10 – Nicholas Higgins, Author – “The 5-Tool Firefighter”
What makes a great firefighter? And who judges who is a “good” firefighter or a “great” firefighter? To be honest, it should e no one else but the image you see in the mirror. For that person in the mirror,...
11.18.2021
Episode 179: Episode 6–9 – Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson – “DO YOUR DAMN JOB!”
We are so pleased to have B.C. Jacob Johnson back on “5-Alarm Task Force!” Chief Johnson has taught his class, “Do Your Damn Job!” at local, state, and regional conferences. His message is crystal clear, “It is the responsibility of...

What's 5-Alarm Task Force! about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

5-Alarm Task Force! episodes:

Episode 235: Episode 8-17 -Inspector Bradley R. Davidson – “The Flames of Fire”

Episode 234: Episode 8-16 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – A 4-Person LODI & Successful Retention & Recruitment Campaign

Episode 233: Episode 8-15 – Capt. David Wiklanski – “The Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative”

Episode 232: Episode 8-14 – Nic Higgins & Chief Tom Marchiano – The New Firehouse Tribune

Episode 231: Episode 8-13 – Chuck Moran – Online Video Mastery

Episode 230: Episode 8-12 – Chief Brian Fennessy (Orange County CA Fire Authority & Asst. Chief (ret) Scott Jones (L.A. County Fire & Rescue – “The QRF Program”

Episode 229: Episode 8-11 – Peter Matthews – “What We Can Learn From an Uber Driver” & Retention and Recruitment for the Fire Service

Episode 228: Episode 8-10 – Gamaliel Baer, PhD – The Need for Diversity of Mind, Body & Soul in the Fire Service

Episode 227: Episode 8-9 – Nick Peppard & Sean Duffy – “Make Due” 3 Years Later

Episode 226: Episode 8-8 - Capt Mike Daley - FIREHOUSE Expo & Fireground Survivability

Episode 225: Episode 8-7 – Kory Pearn – CRACKYL Magazine

Episode 224: Episode 8-6 – Andi Clark – 1st Responder Physical & Behavioral Health

Episode 223: Episode 8-5 – Jim Burneka – Where Are We Today With PFAS?

Episode 222: Episode 8-4 - Danny Beauvais - "Student of the Game"

Episode 221: Episode 8-3 - Capt. Dustin Lambert, PhD - "Driving Under the Influence of Dispatch!"

Episode 220: Episode 8-2 - Chief (ret) Charles Werner - "DroneResponders and More Tech!"

Episode 219: Episode 8-1 – Mynda Ohs, PhD – “Fully Involved Life” & “When the Calls Stop”

Episode 218: Episode 7-19 – Diane Cotter – The State of the PFAS Battle Today

Episode 217: Episode 7-18 – Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez & Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle – The Firefighter Cancer Initiative

Episode 216: Episode 7-17 – Deputy Chief Dave Robertson – “Hiring Based on Character”

Episode 215: Episode 7-16 – Chief John Vance – “Culture in Your Fire Service”

Episode 214: Episode 7-15 – Capt. Mike Daley – NFPA 1700 & Kill the Flashover

Episode 213: Episode 7-14 – Asst. Chief Jacob Johnson – Humanity in the Fire Service

Episode 212: Episode 7-13 - Andrew Cunningham - The Wheeling WV Fire Buffs

Episode 211: Episode 7-12 – Chris Kessinger – Citizens First Fire Training

Episode 210: Episode 7-11 – The Responder Safety Institute & HASS Alert – “Distracted Driving”

Episode 209: Episode 7-10 – District Chief Vernon Hiller – “Firefighting & Beyond”

Episode 201: Episode 7-9 – Brad Davidson & Chief Arjuna George – “Burn Out” & New Books

Episode 200: Episode 7-4 – Dennis Fox – SmokeAlarmSafety.Org

Episode 199: Episode 7-8 – Chief Anthony Correia – “Character, Attitude & Values”

Episode 198: Episode 7 - 7 - Chief (ret) Todd LeDuc - 2022 Review

Episode 197: In Memory of Chief bBobby Halton - His Podcast on 17AUG2014

Episode 196: Episode 7-6 – Chief (ret) Marc Bashoor – After-Action Reports & More

Episode 195: Episode 7-5 – Capt. E.J. Henninger – A Firefighter & Fire Protection Systems Engineer

Episode 194: Episode 7-3 – William “Bill” Dungey – Resilience & “The Wedge”

Episode 193: Episode 7-2 - Blue Card & B-Shifter - MAYDAYS & Radio Traffic With Nic Brunacini & Josh Blum

Episode 192: Episode 6-20 – Chief Brandon Fletcher – Leadership, Ownership & Volunteers

Episode 191: Episode 6-24 – “The EFO Program,” Part II with Helen Johnson, Chief Nelson Pyle and Chief Harold Phillips

Episode 190: Episode 6-22 – Ryan Johnston - Owner Maine-lac Training – Ladder Placement on College Campuses

Episode 189: Episode 6-21 – “The EFO: What It Was, What It Is & What It Will Be – Part I

Episode 188: Episode 6-19 – Cory Hohs & Brock Aun of HAAS Alert

Episode 187: Episode 6-18 – Capt. James “JP” Childers

Episode 186: Episode 6-17 – Chief Justin Bailey – The Importance of a Training Calendar

Episode 185: Episode 6-16 – Battalion Chief John Hayowyk Jr & Capt. James Kovacs

Episode 184: Episode 6-14 – Lt. Aaron Zamzow – Fire-Rescue Health & Fitness

Episode 183: Episode 6-13 – “Make Do Your Damn Can Job!”

Episode 182: Episode 6–12 – Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski

Episode 181: Episode 6–11 – FF Jason Burns – The PFAS in Our Bunker Gear

Episode 180: Episode 6–10 – Nicholas Higgins, Author – “The 5-Tool Firefighter”

Episode 179: Episode 6–9 – Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson – “DO YOUR DAMN JOB!”