Fire Engineering Podcast

Mike Scotto, lieutenant (ret.), FDNY, joins host Dave McGlynn for a discussion about truck company and tower ladder operations for this episode of The Training Officer.  Scotto addresses apparatus positioning, tower-bucket tactics, victim removal into the bucket, search techniques from outside venting, and more. He shares crew-drill ideas—roll‑down gate cutting, saw handling, hook tricks, portable stream considerations—and how to build low-cost props for realistic practice. This episode provides helpful info for new truck operators, chief officers planning training, and veteran firefighters wanting concise, no‑nonsense ways to improve safety and effectiveness on every call. 

Host Doug Cline urges firefighters and emergency responders to preserve their history and mentor the next generation during this episode of Fire and Training. Drawing on four decades of frontline experience—from a 1985 gymnasium fire to early paramedic days and formative training events—Cline mixes personal anecdotes with practical advice. He uses the metaphor "be the salt" to argue that preserving memorabilia, stories and procedures not only honors the past but flavors the future, stressing that leadership isn't granted as a result of rank but instead it's earned through coaching, curiosity, and a passion for lifelong learning. 

FDIC 2026 is right around the corner, and this preview episode lays out exactly why it matters for today’s command staff. The focus isn’t hype. It’s preparation. From chief-level decision making to evolving fireground strategy, this episode of Command Show centers on what officers will actually take back to their departments after a week at FDIC International.

Hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush break down key classroom tracks, leadership development sessions, and the practical value of being in the room with instructors who’ve led through large-scale incidents, staffing shortages, and organizational change. The hosts also discuss command presence, accountability systems, and how expectations for chief officers have shifted over the last decade.

If you’re attending FDIC, this episode will give you a clearer plan for how to spend your time at the show. If you’re not, you’ll understand what conversations are shaping the national fire service right now. 

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

Every year firefighters and officers invest thousands of dollars to attend FDIC International in Indianapolis — but many arrive without a plan. In this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley and his guest, Dave McGlynn, break down how to approach FDIC as if it's a fireground operation. From size-up and building familiarization to strategy, contingencies, rehab, and after-action review, they outline a disciplined framework designed to maximize professional and financial return on investment.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned conference veteran, this conversation will help you avoid burnout, overspending, and missed opportunities. And it will ensure you return home with measurable leadership growth. Don’t just attend. Deploy.

What makes training across generations effective? And how does training affect career trajectories and firehouse culture? In this episode of The Backstep Boys, hosts Ron Kanterman and Tom Aurnhammer welcome guest Dave McGlynn. They unpack generational shifts and talk through concrete ideas for recruiting, mentoring, curriculum design, and how to make training stick long term. 

What makes high-rise firefighting unique? Dave McGrail, an author and retired assistant chief from the Denver (CO) Fire Department, joins host Eric Dreiman for this episode of Hooks & Hoses. The two take a closeup look at the challenges of operating at and commanding high-rise buildings. Dave McGrail will teach "The High-Rise Firefight" at FDIC in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For Command Show's Firefighter Rescue Survey Update, hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush take a look at the Firefighter Rescue Survey release on The First 5,000 Rescues. Join them to learn where to access this information the context of the numbers and how to use it for making data-driven decisions and establishing evidence-based procedures.

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

This episode of the Women in Fire podcast tackles tough subjects. Kim Phillips, district chief, Houston Fire Department, and Paige Colwell, battalion chief, Forsyth County (GA) Fire Department, explore trust and ethics in a profession defined by courage and service, emphasizing how individual missteps can damage entire departments’ reputations and community support. They look at challenges brought on by social media, from viral videos impacting public perception to the complexities of free speech versus professional responsibility. They also address internal culture issues like hazing, harassment, and disciplinary accountability, highlighting the need for consistent standards enforced from the top down.

A firefighter going from captain to probie (yes, in that order) is not something we see every day. On this episode of Humpday Hangout, Politics & Tactics host Frank Ricci interviews Danny Stratton about making this very move from the Camden (NJ) Fire Department to the Philadelphia Fire Department. During the conversation, they cover handling adversity and search tactics as well as truck company strategies and radio communication.

Anthony Rowett welcomes Ken Keller, the deputy chief of the Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue Department, to Generation Engine. They talk about the critical role of mentorship and innovative training methods that are shaping Mobile Fire Rescue's success. The conversation addresses budget challenges, leveraging technology, and social media to enhance training efficiency. They also spend time on marine firefighting, touching on the unique complexities of fires in a major U.S. port. This episode reveals the importance of interagency relationships, learning from past incidents, and strategic planning tailored to maritime emergencies. Fire service professionals will find valuable perspectives on balancing classroom education, field readiness, and leadership development vital for today's evolving fireground challenges.