Fire Engineering Podcast

Two Vollies and a Guest, a new podcast hosted by Jerry Knapp and Tim Pillsworth, is dedicated to practical fireground knowledge. With over 50 years of combined hands-on experience, they focus on technical and tactical skills firefighters need when every second counts. Expect robust discussions about real-world scenarios, including hazardous materials awareness, natural gas emergencies, nozzle reactions, and building construction considerations. Knapp and Pillsworth pull from decades of frontline experience, FDIC seminars, and fire service expertise to share actionable advice designed to improve safety and decision making on the fireground. 

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Command Show: Inside Leadership and Lifesaving Strategies with Waco Fire Chief Robby Bergerson

In this episode of Command Show, host Anthony Kastros welcomes Robby Bergerson, chief, Waco (TX) Fire Department. With 28 years in Waco and over three decades in the fire service, Chief Bergerson shares his unique journey from recruit to fire chief and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. He talks about a high-stakes apartment fire command, highlighting aggressive and coordinated tactics that resulted in multiple rescues. He also covers Waco’s fire department culture, community engagement, and the importance of servant leadership in today’s fire service.

Mayday Monday: Lessons from the 2019 Atascocita (TX) Fire Department

Mayday Monday returns for October as Chief Mike Mulligan, Brian Morgan, and Battalion Chief David Roark of the Atascocita (TX) Fire Department recount a harrowing commercial fire they faced in 2019. The incident reinforced how familiarity, communication gaps, and residential firefighting tactics can create dangerous complications during commercial fires. Despite the tough conditions and limited visibility, the firefighters navigated an 8,000-square-foot bar, ultimately issuing a Mayday when running low on hose and air. Miscommunicated building designations combined with a delayed Mayday response revealed key lessons in command responsibility and standard operating procedures. The department has since adjusted tactics—heavier initial response, larger hoselines, consistent building orientation, and enhanced rigorous training to prepare crews and officers for high-risk scenarios. This conversation offers a transparent look at handling complex commercial fires and the need for ongoing training, situational awareness, and teamwork in the face of adversity.

Fireground Strategies:  Lessons from Baseball to the Blaze

In this edition of Fireground Strategies, Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy dive into the complexities of decision-making under pressure by drawing parallels between baseball managing and incident command during fires. Using recent Yankees playoff controversies as a starting point, they explore how incident commanders must balance instinct, analytics, and experience when making critical calls on the fireground. The conversation touches on relying on company officers’ intimate knowledge of districts, the evolving use of data in firefighting, and the challenges of communication at every leadership level. They also unpack the importance of public relations, managing personnel dynamics, and understanding the strategic versus tactical roles in emergency response. Real-life anecdotes highlight the difficulty of seeing the full picture from inside a fire and the necessity of trust and perspective shifts. 

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Perspectives on Leadership: Transforming Fire Service Culture,  Leadership, Mental Health, and Inclusion

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw and Eric McCoy, chief, Huntington Beach (CA) Fire Department, explore the crucial role of culture in the fire service. Drawing on experiences from both coasts, they discuss breaking down stigmas by building a positive, mission-driven culture that embraces humility, fosters leadership at every level and supports mental health openly. Chief McCoy shares how Huntington Beach involved the entire department in crafting a leadership ethos that reflects shared values rather than legacy practices. They also talk about practical strategies, such as transforming committees into “engagement teams,” prioritizing face-to-face communication, and including families in firefighter support programs. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of creating cohesive teams amid diverse backgrounds and emphasizes servant leadership’s role in advancing a healthy organizational culture.

Brought to you by Fire Facilities https://www.firefacilities.com/

Brought to you by Fire Facilities https://www.firefacilities.com/

The Larry Conley Show: Cultivating Leadership and Passion in Fire Service Training

In this episode of the Larry Conley Show, David Conley and Larry Conley sit down with DJ Stone, division chief of training, South Walton (FL) Fire District. Stone shares his journey into the training officer role, revealing the challenges and profound responsibilities that come with shaping a fire department’s culture and capability. The conversation dives into five critical steps for training officers: surveying the landscape before initiating change, harnessing passion without alienation, earning respect through humility and authenticity, playing the long game by explaining the “why” behind change, and understanding the importance of building a supportive network. Both hosts emphasize character development and personal leadership as the foundation of effective firefighting, exploring how passion must be balanced with self-care and empathy. 

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Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: The Critical Role of Data, Building Intelligence, and Fire Prevention

In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, fire safety experts Jill Cotton and Jack Murphy cover a crucial yet underappreciated aspect of firefighting: leveraging data, building technology, and fire prevention strategies to save lives and property. They discuss why residential sprinklers remain vastly underutilized despite proven effectiveness, the complexity of high-rise and groundscraper buildings, and the urgent need for actionable preincident intelligence. Murphy shares insights from decades of fire prevention work and code enforcement challenges, emphasizing the importance of building legacy databases and real-time tactical awareness. Cotton highlights how technology can bridge gaps for under-resourced departments, stressing collaboration with fire inspectors and building owners. The conversation also emphasizes the necessity for firefighters to shift their mindset—viewing prevention and codes not as obstacles but as lifesaving tools.

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