Make Due: Suburban Fireman Podcast

Episode 58 is coming at you fast as we welcome special guest, Justyn Fraize to the show to get his thoughts on building a strong fire culture in the suburban fire service. Justyn is a 25-year veteran of the fire service currently serving as Captain of Squad 18 in the Colony (TX) FD. Justyn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a fireman, instructor and family man. He's on numerous instructor cadres around the nations including Build Your Culture, Citizens First Fire Training, Forge Fire, H.O.T. FOOLS and the Georgia Smoke Diver Association (GSD #950). In addition to discussing suburban fire culture, we also dive into training, education, physical and mental conditioning, and leadership to name a few. Grab a couple drinks and enjoy!

Sean and Nick welcome special guest, Ryan McCormick to the show to talk about what it takes to build a winning team in the fire service. Ryan is Fire Chief of Alexander (AR) Fire-Rescue and the Collegeville Volunteer Fire Department. He's founder of the First In Fire Conference and brings 25 years of both career and volunteer experience to the show. This episode takes a deep dive into why there seems to be such a disconnect nowadays between chiefs and line personnel, the importance of mindset and training, navigating the waters of leadership vs management, balancing risk management with the inherently dangerous nature of the job, and how to build winning fire department teams. Grab a beverage and enjoy!

This episode welcomes special guest, Danny Beauvais to the show to discuss what it truly means to be a student of our beloved craft. Danny is a fireman with the Mooresville (NC) Fire Department and founder of the Student of the Game fire podcast. Danny has been on the job for over two decades and brings a ton of knowledge, wisdom and passion to the table. This episode dives into mindset, training, conditioning and something all true fire service professionals possess: a constant hunger to learn and improve. 

Please join us as we welcome to the show Chief Ryan Gates of the Cayce (SC) Fire Department. Ryan is also co-founder of Soda City Training and the Truck Company Misfits podcast. This episode takes a close look at firefighting in suburbia. From strategies and tactics, to challenges faced, tips for being more effective, suburban truck culture, to command's view of the suburban fireground, this episode covers all the bases! Grab a drink and turn up that dial, 'cause episode 55 is coming at you from the top ropes!

Part 2 of Episode 54 continues with special guest, Brandon Cory. Part 2 takes a hard look at the world of RIT. We discuss everything from the history of RIT and its evolution, data and how it impacts our decision making on scene, proactive RIT functions to the philosophy of rapid intervention, RIT realities, deployment and finally realistic RIT training. This episode is packed full of practical knowledge, experience, procedures and training tips and offers a thorough look at how and why we do what we do. Grab a drink and get your pencils ready 'cause Brandon drops some legit experience driven knowledge and passion in the second half of this two-part episode!

This episode welcomes special guest, Brandon Cory to the show to talk all things RIT. Brandon is a firefighter/paramedic with the Marquette City (MI) Fire Department, authored a chapter in the book "30 Fires You Need to Know" with Chief Billy Goldfeder and Frank Leeb, is a published author with FireRescue1.com and is part of the Build Your Culture cadre. Part I of Episode 54 dives into the physical, tactical, mental and emotional components of a call where Brandon was deployed as the RIT team on a LODD at a working structure fire. Brandon shares his experience, insights and the struggles that followed that fateful day. Part I is certain to challenge each and every one of us to be better firefighters and people and is dedicated to the memory of Captain Ben Lauren who paid the ultimate sacrifice on March 13, 2020. Rest Easy Brother.

"From the top ropes!" Sean and Nick welcome special guest, Chief Scott Thompson to the show to discuss some of the hottest issues facing today's fire service. Chief Thompson is currently the Fire Chief of the Colony (TX) FD, is author of the book "The Functional Fire Company" and was keynote speaker at FDIC 2024. This no-holds-bar, haymaker of an episode is raw, real and addresses these issues head on. Join us in this unapologetically blue-collar conversation that is sure to challenge you to assess your department's approach to recruitment, retention, culture, risk and more! Turn up that dial, hit play and enjoy!

Join Sean and Nick as we welcome special guest, Jason Hoevelmann to the show. Jason is the Fire Chief of the Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District, is author of the Fire Engineering book "The New Company Officer", was keynote speaker at FDIC 2024, sits on the FDIC advisory board, and is owner/operator of enginehousetraining.com. In this jam-packed episode the crew dives into several important topic ranging from leadership at the company and chief officer level, organizational purpose/focus, education vs experience and finally insight into ways to improve your chance of getting selected to teach at FDIC from an advisory board member's perspective. Chief Hoevelmann drops some absolute gold in this episode! Buckle up! Episode 52 is coming at you fast! (This is the part where you click "PLAY")

This episode takes a look at the ins and outs of rural fireground operations as we welcome to the show former Navy vet, Loveland-Symmes (OH) FD Captain, and Fayetteville FD Asst. Chief Bill Adkins to the show. Bill is also heavily involved as an author and featured contributor at Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment magazine where he has dozens of published articles. We examine the challenges faced in the rural vs suburban fire setting, tactical considerations, command thought processes, water supply issues and apparatus specification considerations unique to those settings. With 85% of the American fire service operating in either rural or suburban fire departments, this episode provides a framework for operational success when having to truly make do with the limited resources and personnel that plague the lion's share of departments across our country. 

We welcome Chief Dave McGlynn back to the show to discuss all things leadership related. With all the emphasis on leadership these days, there are seldom discussions had on the dark side of leadership: the sacrifice, loneliness, conflict and stressors that come with being in these roles and positions. We tend to focus on the feel-good parts of leadership, while neglecting the responsibility that comes with making tough decisions and standing tall in the face of adversity. This episode is a deep dive into what it takes to effectively lead, manage (I know it's a dirty word in some circles), and mentor while still maintaining your passion in leading!