Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Chad Costa about working the front lines of 2020's devastating wildfires. Costa, from the City of Petaluma, CA, Fire Department, worked the the August Complex Fire - California's largest wildfire for several weeks. Costa explains decision-making at wildland incidents and the importance of communications in incident action plans. He also shares what happened when 2017's fires threatened his wife and children as he worked another incident.  

Peter Matthews talks with Lt. Jonathan Baxter, the recipient of the 2019 Firehouse Thomas Carr Community Service Award. Baxter, who serves as the public information officer/homeland security operations for the San Francisco Fire Department, was nominated for his extraordinary outreach efforts on everything from fire prevention to surf safety. Baxter shares the incredible outreach the department has had during his time overseeing the efforts and how his law enforcement background has led to additional safety programs.  

Peter Matthews talks with firefighters Jason Beck and Jon Metz about the harrowing incident that led them to be named the recipients of the 2019 Firehouse Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor. The two McCall, ID, firefighters arrived first to find a large debris field and a 20-foot wall of flames following a propane explosion that heavily entrapped a young girl. Hear how the two were able to rescue the girl and what role training played in the miraculous rescue. 

Peter Matthews talks with East Contra Costa, CA, Fire Protection District Fire Chief Brian Helmick about the recent policy limited interior fire attacks at structure fires. Helmick called the policy the toughest decision in his 20-plus year career, stating the district's funding model, which has not changed since the 1970s, only allows for three engines to over 250 square miles and creates long response times. Find out what led to the decision and how Helmick is working to improve the district's budget and future plans.

Peter Matthews talks with DC Fire and EMS Department Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo about his duties in Washington, D.C., where the media is always checking in. Maggiolo took the PIO position after retiring from a career at CNN where he covered everything from war and politics to natural disasters  and local fire stories. In Washington, the media is always contacting him for seemingly routine incidents that can turn into worldwide news. Find out how Maggiolo, who grew up in New York City during the FDNY's "War Years," carried his love of the fire service into a career covering one of the largest departments in the country.

Follow DC Fire and EMS Department on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Peter Matthews talks with Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel about the response involving protests and riots following George Floyd's death. Fruetel explains what firefighters encountered as dozens of fires burned throughout the city, including tactics, situational awareness working with the National Guard and law enforcement and he shares tips for fire departments who may also encounter similar incidents. 

Peter Matthews talks with Fort Worth, TX, firefighter Frank Becerra, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while working at a crash scene. Becerra, who was told he would not return to work, shares what he went through during his year-long recovery, a story about a second struck-by close call and thoughts on roadway safety.

Peter Matthews talks with Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Director Royal Mortenson and Deputy Director of Research Programs Richard Kesler about the rollout of the state's Exposure Reduction Project. The program provides fire departments with training and equipment to decontaminate PPE on the fireground in the effort to battle firefighter cancer.

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, who serves as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) about COVID-19 and the U.S. fire service. 

Ludwig and IAFC staff have been working with the White House and others in Washington, D.C., to get relief funding for fire and EMS agencies, including CARES, FIRE Act and SAFER programs. The IAFC has worked with Amazon to create an exclusive membership to purchase urgently needed equipment.

The IAFC is tracking firefighters who have been quarantined or tested positive for COVID-19 patients and the financial and operations impact of the pandemic on fire service budgets.

Ludwig said the biggest commidity during the pandemic is information and the IAFC is compiling best practices to put together a guideline for the future. 

Peter Matthews talks with Buffalo, NY, Fire Captain Sean Eagen about maydays. Within months, Eagen's former crew was involved in one mayday incident and Eagen himself called a mayday for a downed member and helped mitigate the incident.

Eagen, who has over 20 years in the busy urban city of Buffalo, talks about the fire department and fire responses before detailing the two 2019 mayday incidents. 

The two discuss what Eagen and the department did following the incidents, including crews conducting more mayday and rapid intervention training after the stark reminders off those maydays hit home.

Eagen and John Hayowyk co-host The Thin Redline Podcast. You can follow Eagen on Twitter and contact him by email at [email protected].