Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast

By Scott Orr

What's Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast about?

The podcast for and about firefighters, "Code 3" covers topics of interest to those in the fire service, in about 20 minutes, through interviews with those who know it best. From Chiefs to Probies, Engineers to Firefighters, and Paramedics to EMTs, award-winning journalist Scott Orr talks with them all.

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Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast episodes:

04.14.2024
How to Combine Safety and Aggressive Firefighting with Ryan Scellick
There’s a constant battle between firefighters who believe that safety on the fireground precludes aggressive tactics. The opposite is also true. What’s the compromise between the two? It seems as if firefighters don’t believe that it’s possible to be both...
03.28.2024
Storage Unit Fires: Look for "Residents" with Tim Thompson
What’s potentially harder to locate victims in than a hoarder house? A stuffed-full self-storage locker. But that’s exactly what can happen. And even if the victim’s not inside at the time of the fire, their activities may have caused it....
03.14.2024
Fighting fires can also damage your hearing (with Brian Daboul)
Are you ready for this? There’s a whole class of hazardous chemicals that can damage your hearing, and they’re by-products of your average structure fire. Yes, that’s right: When you burn home furnishings, you don’t just get carcinogens. You get...
03.01.2024
PFAS in Turnout Gear May Be Hard to Replace with Bryan Ormond
A recent study done at North Carolina State University took a look at PFAS chemicals used in turnout gear and came to some interesting conclusions. PFS layers are what give current turnout coats and pants their oil and water repellency....
02.15.2024
Last Man Out with Jeremiah King
One of the best ways to learn anything is by experience. A better way, though, is to learn from others’ experiences. That’s why we’re talking with today’s guest—to get some insight from...
02.08.2024
HyperSight Vehicle-Mounted TICs with Stan Cannata
Anyone who has ever fought a wildland fire knows situational awareness is critical to safety and effectiveness on the fireground. But visibility, a key part of that awareness, is often limited by thick smoke in the wildland fire environment....
01.18.2024
NFPA: Is it Doing the Job? with Bobby Eckert
The National Fire Protection Association seems like a pretty important organization. For example, Its reports are routinely used by fire departments to justify staffing requests. But not everyone is satisfied with how the NFPA operates. Some members of the fire...
07.13.2023
Firefighter mental health in small bites with Sheena Glover
If you’ve ever known a firefighter who committed suicide, you know how it can change your life. It may have come as a complete surprise to you. Or maybe you had been worried about the firefighter’s state of mind. There’s...
06.29.2023
10 Years Gone: The LODD of the Granite Mountain Hotshots (with Todd Able)
Friday, June 30, 2023, is the 10th anniversary of the deaths of 19 wildland firefighters in Arizona. They were hotshots, the kind of people who really do fight fire with fire. Led by a consummate professional, the team made...
06.15.2023
Wildland Firefighting Decision-Making with Chad Costa
It’s getting hotter outside, and that traditionally signals the start of wildland fire season in the U.S. Nowadays, of course, there’s no real “season” when wildland fires burn. The season can be all year long in some parts of...
05.25.2023
Are You (Still) In Shape For This Job? with Aaron Zamzow
How fit are you? If you’re newer to the fire service, say two or three years in, you’re probably still in reasonably good shape. After all, you had to meet minimum standards at the fire academy. But unless you’ve kept...
05.11.2023
More on Reading Smoke with Phil Jose
On this episode, we’re talking with Phil Jose, the expert on reading smoke. As you may know—and as Phil likes to remind us—smoke is fuel. In most cases, it’s just waiting for the right conditions to ignite. We’ll discuss how...
05.04.2023
"The Call We Carry" with Cody Shea
We’ve talked several times on this show about PTSD and its effects on firefighters. It’s a serious problem, one that affects nearly 40 percent of first responders. On this edition of Code 3, we’re going to talk about a documentary...
04.20.2023
SLICE-RS, Risk, and Saving Lives with Robert Avsec
This week, we’re going to make some people angry. We’re talking structure fires, risk, and SLICE-RS. If you’re a probie, that’s an acronym for Size-up, Locate the fire, Isolate the flow path, Cool from a safe distance, Extinguish, Rescue and...
04.13.2023
Harassment: Still a Real Problem in Some Firehouses with Linda Willing
Today’s subject may make you uncomfortable. If it does, that’s not a bad thing—so stick with me. You could save your own career. I am talking about harassment in the fire service, both sexual harassment and other types. Now,...
03.30.2023
When Your Fire Service Brotherhood Isn't One ... with John Cuomo
The fire service is often called a brotherhood…or a sisterhood, these days. But how strong is that bond, really? One of the best places to see the strength of the brotherhood in action is when tragedy occurs. ...
03.23.2023
Using Fire Department Culture to Build Your Team with Jason Caughey
There’s a lot of talk in the fire service about the culture. It’s important, which you already know. It’s even celebrated in many cities. But one thing that’s more dependent on the culture of your department than you might think...
03.09.2023
How to Build Your Fire Department's Social Media Program with Scott Freitag and Kathy Goodman
Large-city fire departments with multiple PIOs have been showcasing their activities on social media for some time. If you have enough people, it’s no problem. But what if you want to try to engage the community without those resources? Social...
03.02.2023
The Fire You May Not Be Ready to Fight with Steve Lohr
Just about every area served by fire departments includes a large warehouse or two. If you drive by it, I am sure you wonder how well your department would deal with a fire inside it. But in the last few...
02.23.2023
Takin' Care of Mrs. Smith at the Phoenix Firefighters Symposium
Earlier this month, about 400 members of the fire service-from more than 20 states—got together for the Phoenix Firefighters Symposium. They were gathered to hear about Mrs. Smith. Back in 1996, Chief Brunacini—Bruno, to his friends—came up with the idea...
02.09.2023
Training for the Expected, Not the Exceptions with Doug Cupp
If you do enough training evolutions, you will inevitably come up against a trick scenario. You know, the ones where the instructors design something totally implausible into the scenario. They usually fool the firefighters doing the training…and then that allows...
02.02.2023
What’s Important for Firefighters to Argue About with Philip Clark
As a firefighter, you have probably developed some strong opinions on at least a few topics. Some people call them “the hill you’re willing to die on.” But no matter what you call them, you need to pick your...
12.01.2022
Looking Ahead to 2023 with Randy Hanifen
We’re getting close to the end of another year, and this one, like the last few, seems to have been pretty difficult in a lot of ways. Things are looking a little murky as we try to see the future...
11.24.2022
Risk: Yes, You DID Sign Up For This with Steve Prziborowski
Do you detect a lack of willingness among your firefighters to take risks? Have company officers –or your department policy—made “2-in-2-out” a hard-and-fast rule? Are they lacking passion for the job? Today’s guest has been noticing that trend,...
11.10.2022
Training So They Can't Get it Wrong with Fred Kauser
If you’ve been listening to this show for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I talk a lot about realistic training. It’s because there are fewer actual structure fires these days for younger firefighters to see first-hand. That means...
10.27.2022
A Lesson Learned with Kaci Corrigan
Today’s episode is going to be a little different. It’s a look back at a major learning event in a firefighter’s career. But, as you’ll hear, the lessons taught weren’t necessarily clear. And years later, the firefighter involved is...
10.06.2022
When Your Station Assignment Leaves You Out in the Cold with Linda Willing
No matter how large—or small—your fire department may be, it has one house that’s just not as busy as the others. Sometimes, that house is really slow. And it may feel like you’re missing all the action if you’re assigned...
09.29.2022
To Be a Black Woman in Today's Fire Service with Jennifer Osborne
On this show, we’re going to explore some of the unique experiences of a firefighter who is in the minority on two fronts: She’s a woman and she’s Black. Jennifer Osborne is a 16-year veteran of the Clark County,...
09.22.2022
You're a New Company Officer - Now What? with Jacob Johnson
If you’re about to promote to company officer, this show is for you. Most firefighters want to move up and take charge of the crew. It’s natural to assume you could do it better, right? And there’s the pay...
09.15.2022
Addressing the "Ridiculous Gap" of Fire vs. EMS with Wes Ward
I started out today’s interview intending to talk about the conflict between fire officers and lower-ranked—but certified--paramedics. It wasn’t long before I got caught up in a discussion about the “state of the Union” of Fire vs. EMS. It’s...
09.08.2022
Five Floors Up with Brian McDonald
Usually, I talk with a member of the fire service on this show, but today’s a bit different. Brian McDonald is an author, but not a firefighter. He’s written several books about New York City, and his latest is...
09.01.2022
The Care and Feeding of the News Media with Robert Leonard
What do you think of your city’s news media? Maybe you think of reporters and photographers as an annoyance. Perhaps you view them as a necessary evil. Or—and this is the best, I think—do you look at them as...
08.25.2022
Leading in a New Fire Service Environment with Sal Scarpa
If you’re thinking you’d like to try for a company officer or to move up to a chief officer position, I have a question for you: Who has been your example for how you should lead? I ask because...
08.11.2022
Situational Awareness Saves Lives with Richard Gasaway
Some people call it auto-pilot. It’s that ability to arrive at a scene and immediately go to work. That’s a learned skill, and it has a place on the fireground. But another learned skill that may be even more...
08.04.2022
Learning from Dark Days with Chad Costa
Every firefighter can recall the worst incidents in his or her career—you know, the ones that made a serious impact on their psyche. They may not have realized it at the time, but these are the days that helped shape...
07.28.2022
Bring back the rescue culture of firefighting with Daniel Folks
I have a question for you today. Why did you become a firefighter? I know, you probably haven’t had to think about it since you were interviewed before hiring. But why did you choose this career? If you’re like...
07.21.2022
When Engine Companies Must Do Truck Company Work with Justin Bailey
Smaller fire departments often work with less personnel than they need. That means there are very few specialists in a volunteer department or a rural agency. One of the specialists you’ll miss right away if you join one is...
07.14.2022
Physical Conditioning for Firefighter-Athletes with Daniel Higuera
Firefighters are athletes. You may be part of the culture that already knows and accepts this truth. But if this is a foreign idea to you, or if you disagree, consider this: Even if you mostly run medical...
07.07.2022
Firefighting in the Wildland-Urban Interface with Clare Frank
Now that the wildland fire season lasts pretty much all year long—and homes continue to be built further from city centers--the focus is turning to homes in the wildland-urban interface. Fires that threaten homes along the edge of cities...
06.30.2022
Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect with Corley Moore (And notes on the Granite Mountain Hotshots)
I have no idea how many times I have heard the old phrase, “Practice makes perfect.” Of course, nowadays, we understand that it’s wrong. If practice is going to be worthwhile, we need to practice the right things the...
06.16.2022
What MCI Incident Commanders Should Know with Vincent Bettinazzi
There have been several unfortunate mass-casualty incidents recently as the result of an active shooter. Although the public’s attention is usually focused on the police response, these events ask a lot of a fire-medical incident commander as well. If...
06.02.2022
First-of-its-Kind Firefighter Aid Mission to Ukraine Successful | with Eric Hille
A few weeks back, we talked with Eric Hille, a San Miguel, California firefighter about his plans to take a team of volunteers to Ukraine. The mission, called Task Force Joint Guardian, would be the first-ever effort to send...
05.05.2022
A Career as a Sister in a Brotherhood with Cindie Schooner-Ball
A while back, firefighter Cindie Schooner-Ball started a blog where she wrote about her time as a “Sister in a Brotherhood.” She had plenty of material to work with–for 28 years, Cindie was a career firefighter in Broward County,...
04.14.2022
How to Prepare Officer Candidates (and Their Departments) with Paul Watlington
There’s a lot of advice floating around that explains what a firefighter needs to do to get promoted to an officer position. And there’s quite a bit about leadership and what to do once you ARE promoted. On this...
03.31.2022
Preparing Women for the Fire Academy
Depending on who you ask, women make up roughly four to five percent of US career firefighters. That’s why it’s still a news story when a woman is promoted to a leadership position in a major fire department. How...
03.24.2022
California firefighter plans aid mission to Ukraine | Guest: Eric Hille
A firefighter in San Diego County, California, has started Operation Joint Guardian, an effort to help the people of Ukraine. Eric Hille, a veteran of the US Army, planned to just send USAR equipment over there. Many civilian structures are...
03.17.2022
Is This What You Signed Up For? with Bob Horton
If you’ve ever walked into a firehouse and heard someone say, “This isn’t what I signed up for,” or if you’ve thought it yourself, let me relate a quick story. About five, six years ago, I was visiting station...
03.10.2022
Mayday and the Aftermath with Steve Conn
The evening of March 21, 2003 was normal for the crew of Colerain, Ohio Township’s Engine 26. The guys were cleaning up after dinner. Then the dispatcher interrupted them with a call to a structure fire. When they...
02.17.2022
What happens to you if Qualified Immunity goes away? | Guest: Brad Pinsky
If you’re a firefighter or medic, especially a volunteer, you’re able to do your job because the law grants you the ability to do it without fear of legal reprisal if someone decides you made a mistake. That’s thanks to...
02.10.2022
Earning (and Saving Lives) While They're Learning with David Mattox
There’s an unusual fire department in Fairbanks, Alaska. It’s called the University Fire Department. It serves a University of Alaska campus and nearby North Star Borough from two stations. What makes this department special is that all the...

What's Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast episodes:

How to Combine Safety and Aggressive Firefighting with Ryan Scellick

Storage Unit Fires: Look for "Residents" with Tim Thompson

Fighting fires can also damage your hearing (with Brian Daboul)

PFAS in Turnout Gear May Be Hard to Replace with Bryan Ormond

Last Man Out with Jeremiah King

HyperSight Vehicle-Mounted TICs with Stan Cannata

NFPA: Is it Doing the Job? with Bobby Eckert

Firefighter mental health in small bites with Sheena Glover

10 Years Gone: The LODD of the Granite Mountain Hotshots (with Todd Able)

Wildland Firefighting Decision-Making with Chad Costa

Are You (Still) In Shape For This Job? with Aaron Zamzow

More on Reading Smoke with Phil Jose

"The Call We Carry" with Cody Shea

SLICE-RS, Risk, and Saving Lives with Robert Avsec

Harassment: Still a Real Problem in Some Firehouses with Linda Willing

When Your Fire Service Brotherhood Isn't One ... with John Cuomo

Using Fire Department Culture to Build Your Team with Jason Caughey

How to Build Your Fire Department's Social Media Program with Scott Freitag and Kathy Goodman

The Fire You May Not Be Ready to Fight with Steve Lohr

Takin' Care of Mrs. Smith at the Phoenix Firefighters Symposium

Training for the Expected, Not the Exceptions with Doug Cupp

What’s Important for Firefighters to Argue About with Philip Clark

Looking Ahead to 2023 with Randy Hanifen

Risk: Yes, You DID Sign Up For This with Steve Prziborowski

Training So They Can't Get it Wrong with Fred Kauser

A Lesson Learned with Kaci Corrigan

When Your Station Assignment Leaves You Out in the Cold with Linda Willing

To Be a Black Woman in Today's Fire Service with Jennifer Osborne

You're a New Company Officer - Now What? with Jacob Johnson

Addressing the "Ridiculous Gap" of Fire vs. EMS with Wes Ward

Five Floors Up with Brian McDonald

The Care and Feeding of the News Media with Robert Leonard

Leading in a New Fire Service Environment with Sal Scarpa

Situational Awareness Saves Lives with Richard Gasaway

Learning from Dark Days with Chad Costa

Bring back the rescue culture of firefighting with Daniel Folks

When Engine Companies Must Do Truck Company Work with Justin Bailey

Physical Conditioning for Firefighter-Athletes with Daniel Higuera

Firefighting in the Wildland-Urban Interface with Clare Frank

Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect with Corley Moore (And notes on the Granite Mountain Hotshots)

What MCI Incident Commanders Should Know with Vincent Bettinazzi

First-of-its-Kind Firefighter Aid Mission to Ukraine Successful | with Eric Hille

A Career as a Sister in a Brotherhood with Cindie Schooner-Ball

How to Prepare Officer Candidates (and Their Departments) with Paul Watlington

Preparing Women for the Fire Academy

California firefighter plans aid mission to Ukraine | Guest: Eric Hille

Is This What You Signed Up For? with Bob Horton

Mayday and the Aftermath with Steve Conn

What happens to you if Qualified Immunity goes away? | Guest: Brad Pinsky

Earning (and Saving Lives) While They're Learning with David Mattox