Fire Engineering Podcast

As the first line goes, so goes the fire. The first arrival report sets the tone for everything communicated afterward.

On this episode of Tactical Impact, Chandler Moore, fire chief and FDIC Advisory Board member, and captain with Martin County Fire and Rescue (FL) breaks down the three essentials of an effective fireground arrival report: content, flow, and tone.

What should officers communicate in their initial radio report? How should they organize the information? And how does their delivery affect communication on the fireground? Moore explores how officers can sharpen these skills to provide clear, effective arrival reports and establish a solid foundation for the incident communications that follow.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

Engine company operations, hose management, and firefighter training take center stage in this discussion of fireground tactics, equipment testing, and fire service research.

Lt. Shane Furuta of Federal Fire in Hawaii joins the show to discuss why mastering the fundamentals remains essential to effective firefighting.

The conversation explores hands-on training, hose management, low-pressure hose systems, equipment evaluation, and the role of research and data in improving fireground performance. They also examine resources such as the Firefighter Rescue Survey and explain why departments must apply research findings to their own staffing, resources, and operational needs.

Listen for practical insights on engine company operations, firefighter training, fireground decision making, and using data to improve tactical performance.

Firefighter Rescue Survey: FIREFIGHTER RESCUE SURVEY - For Them

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

What will determine the future of the volunteer fire service? Guest Mike Ledford joins Tom Merrill to challenge the excuses, outdated practices, and resistance to change that can hold volunteer departments back.

Drawing on lessons from the Wilmore (KY) Fire Department, Assistant Chief Ledford discusses practical ways to strengthen recruitment and retention, from improving how prospective members connect with a department to establishing structured duty crews and maintaining high training standards.

The conversation also examines the role of leadership, accountability, mentorship, and station culture in building a volunteer fire service that can meet the needs of its members and communities.

Volunteer departments cannot afford to rely on the way things have always been done. The future depends on leaders who are willing to identify problems, develop solutions, and take action.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

September 11 changed the lives of first responders and communities forever. Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth step away from their usual interview format to reflect on 9/11, sharing personal memories from West Point and local firehouses while honoring the friends they lost and remembering the lasting health impacts on first responders.

This heartfelt conversation goes beyond remembrance to examine the lessons emergency services and communities must carry forward. Knapp and Pillsworth discuss the importance of local emergency planning, establishing clear incident command structures, preparing communities for the unexpected, and educating younger generations about the events of September 11 and their lasting impact.

We cannot change what happened, but we can honor those who were lost by supporting survivors, strengthening preparedness, and ensuring the lessons of 9/11 are never forgotten.

In this episode:

• Personal reflections on September 11 from West Point and local firehouses
• Remembering fallen friends and the ongoing illnesses affecting first responders
• Why effective emergency planning and incident command matter
• Building community resilience through preparedness and education
• Keeping the memory and lessons of 9/11 alive for future generations

Two Volleys and a Guest is a podcast for the volunteer fire service, bringing important conversations and firsthand perspectives to the fire service community.

Subscribe to Fire Engineering for more fire service podcasts, training insights, and conversations that matter to firefighters.

#FireEngineering #VolunteerFirefighters #September11

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

Are your ground ladders ready when seconds count? Rick Lasky and John Salka discuss portable ladder maintenance, single-firefighter deployment, proper climbing angles, and proactive ladder placement to improve fireground safety. They also explore how historic fires, including the Great Chicago Fire, shaped fire prevention practices and modern building codes.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

How do you ensure an adequate water supply at a major commercial fire? On The Humpday Hangout, host Clark Lamping joins chiefs Dan Shaw, Brent Brooks, Jimmy Davis, and Daryl Liggins, along with Andy Soccodato, author of Water Thievery, to discuss fireground hydraulics and water supply operations. The panel examines friction loss in large-diameter hose (LDH), heavy hydrant hookups, multiple supply lines, four-way valves, drafting challenges, and mobile water supply equipment. They also discuss why incident commanders must recognize when to increase water supply capacity as fire conditions evolve. This episode offers practical considerations for firefighters, company officers, and incident commanders responsible for effective fireground water delivery.

Key Hose is dedicated to the manufacture and delivery of the highest quality fire hose products, combining the best in raw materials with expert craftsmanship.

Sponsored by Key Hose: www.keyhose.com

What separates a good fire service instructor from a great one? It takes more than experience, rank, or knowing the drill manual. Great instructors know how to connect with students, deliver constructive feedback, and build the next generation of firefighters.

In this episode of Talkin’ Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Sam Villani, and Robert “RJ” James share lessons from their careers in fire service training, from the station drill ground to national conferences. They discuss the mindset, communication skills, and teaching techniques that help instructors become more effective educators.

In this episode:

• Fire Service Instructor Development: Making the transition from experienced firefighter to effective educator.
• Constructive Feedback: Correcting mistakes calmly without relying on yelling or ego.
• Training New Recruits: Adapting your teaching style to different students and environments.
• Instructor Leadership: Why humility, passion, and a willingness to learn matter.
• Mentorship and Legacy: Honoring the instructors who shaped their careers and reflecting on the lasting impact of 9/11.

Whether you're a fire academy instructor, company officer, training officer, or firefighter looking to share your knowledge, this conversation offers practical insights for becoming a stronger teacher and helping elevate the fire service.

Subscribe to Fire Engineering for more firefighter training, tactical discussions, leadership insights, and fire service education.

#TalkinTactics #FirefighterTraining #FireService

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

In this episode of Mayday Monday, Tony Carroll revisits the fatal fire in Howard County (MD), that claimed the life of firefighter Nate Flynn. Retired Incident Commander Chuck Ridgely joins to discuss what happened on the fireground and what the incident can teach firefighters about command, communication, and decision making under stress.

Ridgely walks through the challenges commanders faced during the incident, including conflicting information about the building, delays with the water supply, and limited visibility between different sides of the structure. He also discusses how command routines, tracking tools, and practiced procedures can help keep operations moving when conditions start to overwhelm the incident commander.

The conversation also looks at task saturation, the physical effects of stress, and what happens to decision making when a firefighter's heart rate and stress level climb. Carroll also covers box breathing as this episode's survival skill drill.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

Firefighter mental health cannot rest entirely on the individual. In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, Deputy Chief Stephen Shaw talks with Dr. Kellie O’Dare, research associate professor and deputy executive director at UCF RESTORES, about suicide prevention, mental health, and the role fire departments play in supporting their members.

O’Dare discusses research connecting 30 years of Florida Department of Health data with firefighter certification records and explains what that data can tell us about suicide risk in the fire service. She also introduces the Zero Suicide Framework, a seven part approach that gives organizations a framework for supporting firefighters throughout their careers, including the transition into retirement.

Shaw and O’Dare discuss practical ways departments can move beyond good intentions and build mental health support into the organization itself. They also talk about coping strategies, work-life balance, communication, stigma, and creating a culture where firefighters can ask for help before reaching a crisis point.

Perspectives on Leadership is produced by Fire Engineering, devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com

Fire departments have traditionally measured outcomes by what was lost: civilian deaths, injuries, and property damage. But what happens when departments start measuring what firefighters saved?

In this episode, we examine the shift toward positive fire service metrics, including firefighter rescues, lives saved, property protected, and the financial value of fire department operations. Newer initiatives such as the Firefighter Rescue Survey are helping capture outcomes that traditional reporting systems often overlooked.

The conversation also looks at how departments can use data to demonstrate their return on investment, including the value of protected property and ISO rating savings. For fire service leaders facing budget pressure, staffing challenges, and questions from city councils, these metrics can provide a much stronger picture of what a department delivers to its community.

Topics covered:
• Why traditional fire service metrics focus so heavily on loss
• Tracking firefighter rescues and positive outcomes
• Measuring the value of property protected
• Using ISO savings to demonstrate community return on investment
• How data can support staffing and funding decisions
• Building a stronger case for fire department resources

Subscribe for more fire service leadership, training, and operational insight from Fire Engineering.

This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: TheFireStore.com