We’ve talked a lot about upholding fire service standards on this show. On this episode, we’re going to discuss a voluntary oath, if you will, that you can take to reinforce your beliefs. It’s called the Vigilant Creed, and it was developed by Corley Moore. He’s a 22-year-firefighter from Oklahoma who started a blog, called “Firehouse Vigilance,” in 2017. As a student of fireground leadership, Corley believes firefighters should have resources like The Vigilant Creed.

As times change and research becomes more accurate, we learn more about fire behavior. And the more we learn, the faster fires get put out. With today’s construction techniques and materials, that also means a safer fireground. That’s why today’s guests worked together to write a book: “The Evolving Fireground: Research-Based Tactics.” Joining me for this episode are P.J. Norwood, a Deputy Chief Training Officer for the East Haven Connecticut Fire Department, and Sean Gray, a 21-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Cobb County Georgia Fire Department.

Greg Jakubowski talks about ground ladders-how to chose which one you need in a hurry, and why it's important to train with them. He’s a fire protection engineer and certified safety professional. Greg started his fire service career in 1978. He is a Pennsylvania state fire instructor and a former chief of the Lingohocken, Pennsylvania Fire Company.

I love instructions on how to do stuff. That’s why today’s show is about how to be a firefighter. Not how to fight fires, but how to be a firefighter. They’re two different things. My guest today is the author of "The Firefighter's Little Black Book: Your Pocket Guide To Safety" But it’s not just about safety on the fireground. It’s also about keeping your job safe and holding onto your integrity. It's written by Stan Tarnowski.Stan has served as fire chief, 911 and EMA director in Union City, Georgia. He began his career in 1975 with the Boston- Logan International Airport Fire Department. Stan’s been a deputy and suppression chief at the Georgia State Fire Academy, and chief of training at the Henry County Fire Department. And he is currently the president of Firesafe Consulting Group.

Narcan has been pitched as the single best way to deal with opioid overdose. And while it does work, it’s being overused and misused. Some EMS providers and cops are administering it just-in-case … even if they aren’t sure they’re treating an opioid overdose. But Narcan has a lot of nasty effects on the patient. My guest today says EMS providers rarely need to use it at all. Dr. Bryan Bledsoe is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the UNLV School of Medicine. He routinely works the Emergency Department at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. He’s board certified in emergency medicine and EMS.

Here’s an idea: Yoga for firefighters. Wait—don’t skip this episode yet! You owe it to yourself to hear about this, because, even if you think yoga’s not for you, it can probably help. It’s got a lot of benefits for firefighters. Here to explain why is Shannon McQuaide, the Director of FireFlex Yoga. That’s right, she runs a business specifically tailored to providing yoga for the fire service. She comes from a fire family, so she knows what firefighters need. She has 10 years of experience leading professional development training programs.

The most powerful position in the firehouse is likely NOT the Captain. You know who I’m talking about: the Senior Man. He commands respect simply because he’s seen a lot. But, whether he recognizes it or not, he’s also got a lot of responsibility. My guest today is a Senior Man, and he’s here to tell us what that really means and why. Casey Clinkscales has been a firefighter for 12 years, most recently in Irmo, South Carolina.

Training is the key to knowing how to fight fires, especially when your department doesn’t respond to frequent real-world structure fires. It’s also the way to make sure no one gets hurt. But there’s a right way to train and a whole lot of wrong ways, according to my guest today. He’s here to tell us how training goes wrong and how it can be more realistic. Robby Owens has been a firefighter for over 20 years. He’s a captain in the Henrico County, Virginia, Division of Fire.

Let’s talk safety. Or, rather, let’s talk risk, because we know firefighting isn’t safe. Risks are all about choices. The objective is to make choices that minimize risk. There are ways to do this, and my guest today says we need to do them. David Cain retired as a deputy chief at the Boulder Colorado Fire Department, where he served for 34 years.

It’s been over 70 years since President Harry S. Truman issued the first Presidential Report that told citizens how to survive a house fire. But people still don’t seem to give fire the respect it deserves. They go back in to burning homes to save pets or property. They still won’t change smoke alarm batteries or call the fire department, even when they live in a city where firefighters will do it for them. Why? Here to give us some possible answers and solutions is Ray Reynolds. He’s the Director of Fire & EMS for the Nevada, Iowa, Fire Department and a member of the IAFC’s Fire & Life Safety Section's Board.