Fire Engineering Podcast

Want to learn how to keep communities safe during special events? On this episode of Two Vollies and a Guest, hosts Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth speak with Fire Department of New York Captain (Ret.) Christopher Flatley about planning, executing, and evaluating special events. They focus on the importance of after-action reviews (AARs) and improvement plans: conducting hotwashes, drafting actionable AARs, assigning owners with deadlines, and using the issue‑discussion‑recommendation format. Flatley walks through special event planning and execution—Times Square New Year’s Eve, local Fourth of July fireworks, hospital bio‑containment exercises—and stresses data‑driven threat assessments, incident action plans based on the Incident Command System, tabletop exercises, operational security, and resource mitigation for heat, medical surge, and perimeter blocking. They detail how to turn lessons into real improvements, avoid public exposure of sensitive plans, and build resilient volunteer response teams.

Across the volunteer fire service, conversations about mergers and consolidations are becoming impossible to ignore. Departments are facing increasing demands, shrinking membership, and rising expectations from the communities they serve—forcing leaders to take a hard look at how they operate and whether working together might be the path forward. But these decisions are about more than budgets and efficiency; they involve tradition, identity, and the future of the fire service itself. On this episode of Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Brad Pinsky takes an honest look at what mergers and consolidations really mean for volunteer departments, the challenges they bring, and the opportunities they create for building stronger, more sustainable organizations.

On this episode of Command Show, the panel breaks down how a three-man crew used vent-enter-isolate-search (VEIS) to pull a woman from her bedroom with seconds to spare. While the adrenaline was high, the execution was clinical. The panel shares raw, play-by-play details of the Porterville (CA) Fire Department's overnight response to a house "fully engulfed" with a confirmed victim trapped inside. They talk about the save, the friction of the job, and the critical decision to clear an egress point rather than just blindly dragging a victim. 

This podcast is brought to you by Tablet Command. www.tabletcommand.com/get-started-lp

This episode explores why fire service professionals must step outside their own jurisdictions to maintain their edge. Hosted by Todd Edwards, this episode's panel includes:

The discussion covers national-level instructors going to regional settings. They discuss massive events like FDIC, smaller "microconferences," and how these events provide unique spaces for involvement. The panel shares their experience with outside training and departmental stagnation, offering fresh eyes on familiar tactics.

Want to learn how to build fire service culture? Combat veteran and NAS Fort Worth (FL) Fire Chief Samson DeSessa joins hosts Billy Hux and Bobby Drake for this episode of Point of Origin. DeSessa shares lessons from 34 years across military, private security, and the fireground. He explains his simple mentorship model: build the relationship, do the work, then teach others to mentor. He shares roundtable leadership and four promotion pillars: attitude, teamwork, grit, and leading by example. 

On this episode of The Training Officer, host Dave McGlynn sits down with David Polikoff, a retired battalion chief from Montgomery County, Maryland, to discuss the critical need for structured incident command training. Polikoff shares how his experience at the National Fire Academy revealed a widespread lack of confidence among officers managing high-stress scenes. In order to bridge this gap, he developed a "crawl, walk, run" training methodology that utilizes simulation software and portable radios to build muscle memory before officers ever step onto a real fireground. They dive deep into into the practicalities of scene management, emphasizing the use of tactical worksheets and the delegation of authority through divisions and groups.

On this episode, Maria Hovanes, product manager at IDEX Fire and Safety, explains how FireLink—powered by the Captium ecosystem—converts vehicle, pump, and water-flow telemetry into actionable maintenance intelligence. Hovanes details how FireLink captures chassis fault codes, pump activity, nozzle pressure (via SAM and SAM Boost), engine and idle hours, and logs events automatically. The platform provides a single, manufacturer-agnostic dashboard and traffic-light health indicators, so fleet managers, chiefs, technicians and external service providers see the same source of truth. She explains for departments without dedicated fleet staff, visual summaries, and downloadable reports simplify shift readiness and compliance reporting for warranties and NFPA audits. Hovanes describes how Captium ties fire apparatus, rescue tools, and EMS ambulances into one cloud database, improving prioritization and accountability across the fleet.

Link to the previous Spotlight podcast with Jason Cerrano: https://www.youtube.com/live/zv5eqbB2-Xk?si=np3bv34NBFJznJTQ

Article mentioned: https://www.fireengineering.com/magazine/total-readiness-with-firelink-supporting-crews-before-and-after-the-call/

This episode of Fire Service Court addresses the grim reality that more firefighters are lost to suicide than to line-of-duty deaths. The panel covers PTSD, suicidal ideation, issues with the traditional "tough it out" mentality, and how mental health services are evolving within the fire service. They explore the recent executive order directing federal agencies to fast-track psychedelic medications for serious mental illness, marking a potential shift in treatment for emergency responders. The panel discusses the federal action to transition substances like MDMA and psilocybin from restricted Schedule I research silos into clinical tools for treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.

What does it take to perform under extreme pressure when lives are on the line?

In this episode, retired FDNY Deputy Chief Thomas Dunne shares insights from 33 years on the job and his book "Pressure Proof: A Guide to Performing Under Stress." From real fireground incidents to high-level leadership, he breaks down how to stay focused, make decisions, and lead with confidence under stress.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Whether you're in firefighting, leadership, or any high-pressure role, these lessons will help you perform when it matters most.

#Firefighting #Leadership #FDNY #StressManagement #DecisionMaking

How do you rebuild firehouse community? Host Larry Conley reflects on the lost art of firehouse community and building trust for this episode of The Larry Conley Show. He draws on 33 years on the job, discussing how technology, private rooms, and routines have eroded "community currency." Conley outlines practical steps to rebuild cohesion and reviews the EMPOWER (Envision, Mutual Victory, Proactive, Organize Priorities, Work Together, Empathetic Listening, Recharge) framework.