Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews sits down with Marc Aloan, who was recently promoted to battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department. Aloan, a champion of firefighting culture and tradition, talks about the transition from company officer to chief and shares what he has learned over the last couple months.

The two talk about Aloan journey from the volunteer fire service and military to joining the career fire service and how experience and education prepared him for his current role.

Finishing up the show, Aloan shares advice for firefighters looking for firefighting jobs in in the Southeast and how it varies from the Northeast where he is from.

Resources:

• The Fire Inside

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews brings on Capt. Jake Henderson from the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department, who is currently assigned to Quint 24 on the city's east side. Henderson, a second-generation firefighter, runs coffee_with_the_captain, an Instagram account where he shares thought-provoking shares passages from books aimed to inspire firefighters, officers, chiefs and also in your off-duty life.

On this show, Henderson shares his perspectives from the works of both popular and lesser known authors, adding his personal insights on how it applies to the fire service, or personal growth. 

Henderson shares his choices for each rank, and offers suggestions for books outside the fire service, plus tips for how to engage and retain the words read via audio books.

Resources:

• coffee_with_the_captain on Instagram

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Pearland, TX, Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Johnson about mentoring in the fire service. Johnson has been blazing the path to re-introduce mentoring to all ranks within the fire service and he shares his views on the best way to mentor, and how mentees can seek trusted coaches. 

Whether you are a veteran firefighter or officer, or a new relatively new member, Johnson shares practical advice on how to share wisdom and knowledge, coupled with constructive insight to better prepare the future of your department. 

The two discuss ideas for each rank to be successful, and what mentoring truly is in the fire service, plus a look at some of Chief Johnson's favorite books.

Resources:

• Being a New Officer: More than Passing a Test

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews is joined by Edward Tracey, the captain of Rescue 11 at the Rochester, NY, Fire Department. Tracey, with 30 years in the fire service, has written for Firehouse and spoken at their events on topics including firefighter training.

On this podcast, Tracey goes in-depth on this two recent articles about micro-learning and tips for enhancing company-level drills. 

The two discuss each rank of the fire service's role in education, how to create realistic technical rescue training and expands on Tracey's study of how firefighters learn best.

Resources:

• Short Drills: Microlearning Principles Improve Training Sessions

Peter Matthews talks with Dr. Rich Gasaway about what firefighters need to know about situational awareness in 2021. Gasaway, who retired at rank of fire chief after a 30-year career in the fire service, has studied situational awareness impacting firefighting operations that resulted in near-miss, injury and firefighter fatality incidents. The two discuss what firefighters working on today's fireground need to know and how they can avoid becoming a statistic.

Peter Matthews talks with John Lewis and Robert Moran about training, tactics and leadership in today's fire service. Known as The Jersey Guys, Lewis, a retired lieutenant from Passaic, NJ, and Moran, currently fire chief in Brewster, MA, explain how firefighter training tactics has evolved since they began teaching. Having served in volunteer and career fire departments, the two discuss effective training, plus share tips share leadership tips for officers and chiefs. Find out more about their Firehouse Expo 2021 HOT and classroom session. 

Peter Matthews talks with retired Fire Chief Charles Werner about how fire departments and other public safety agencies are deploying drones for countless operations. 

Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Demond Simmons about his article, "Smart Training and Firefighting." Simmons explains the basis for the article and concept, which explains the roles of "smart" and "aggressive" in educating firefighters. Also, a discussion on the role of company officers in encouraging their firefighters to  work smarter on the fireground. 

Peter Matthews talks with Nashville Fire Department Director/Chief William Swann about the Christmas Day explosion. Chief Swann shares how previous incidents and trainings with local, state and federal agencies allowed for a unified command to be established and operate smoothly after the bombing that damaged over 40 buildings. The two discuss the lessons Nashville Fire has learned from the Christmas Day explosion and the deadly March 2020 tornado and how important training and preparation are for all first responders. 

Peter Matthews talks with longtime Firehouse contributor and speaker Lt. Mike Daley about his December magazine article on training and operating at night. Daley, who is a longtime fire instructor, explains the challenges firefighters encounter at night on the fireground or emergency scene and the need for training in after sunset. Get tips and tricks for training and operating safely and effectively and how to use the tools on your rig to help you see the real scene.