In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy sits down with Kevin Cowperthwait, Jack McPartland, and Bob Pressler of the Christiana Fire Company in Delaware to break down what makes a truly successful firehouse culture—and why theirs continues to stand out.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of Christiana from a traditional “come from home” volunteer department into a high-performing, hybrid system built on staffing, accountability, and relentless training. With a response area covering nearly 200,000 people and running thousands of calls annually, the department has developed a model centered on repetition, clearly defined roles, and a commitment to doing the job the right way every time.

At the core of their success is culture. The team discusses how expectations are set early, how mentorship is intentionally built into every position, and why allowing firefighters to make decisions—and even mistakes—is critical to long-term growth. From the concept of “stealing the nozzleman” to building confidence through real-world experience, the episode highlights how leadership can shape the next generation of firefighters.

They also tackle bigger issues facing today’s fire service, including overcomplication in training, the loss of mentorship, and the importance of sticking to fundamentals. The message is clear: firefighting is not about trends or gimmicks—it’s about mastering the basics, trusting your people, and fostering an environment where firefighters can truly practice their craft.

This episode is a powerful look at leadership, culture, and the mindset required to build and sustain a high-performing firehouse in today’s fire service.

When we talk about Maydays, the conversation usually goes straight to the worst case scenario. But there is a lot to learn from the near misses too. Those moments, the ones that almost turned bad, can teach us just as much, sometimes even more. Every fire is different, and understanding the tempo of the fireground can make all the difference.

In this episode, Mickey gets into the idea of aggressiveness in firefighting. Being aggressive is not about moving fast or forcing the issue. It is about understanding your role, reading the situation, and adjusting when the conditions change. Sometimes the right move in the moment is a quick correction that keeps a bad situation from turning into a Mayday at all.

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy Donch sits down with Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Scott “Zig” Ziegler for a powerful and wide ranging conversation about firefighting culture, leadership, resilience, and personal growth.

Ziegler reflects on his early days in Highland Park, Michigan, where he worked in a severely underfunded fire department operating out of a makeshift warehouse station. With broken equipment, minimal resources, and young firefighters learning on the fly, the crew faced constant fires and dangerous conditions. During this time, Ziegler began documenting fires using helmet cameras and posting the footage online, unintentionally becoming one of the early pioneers of fire service video documentation. What started as a way to share videos with coworkers quickly gained attention and eventually led to national media coverage highlighting the realities firefighters faced in struggling cities.

The conversation explores the gritty reality of urban firefighting, the importance of experience in leadership, and how departments like Detroit continue to maintain a culture of aggressive firefighting while adapting to modern challenges such as increased EMS call volume and evolving operational demands.

Ziegler also shares his personal journey to becoming a Detroit firefighter, including years of waiting for the department to open hiring again. That persistence ultimately paid off when he joined the Detroit Fire Department and fulfilled a dream he had since high school.

Beyond the firehouse, the discussion turns to Ziegler’s presence on social media where he regularly shares insights about leadership, business, personal development, and faith. He explains why he chooses to focus on positivity and growth rather than negativity online, emphasizing the importance of influencing others in a constructive way.

The episode closes with a candid conversation about faith, purpose, and personal accountability. Both Jeremy and "Zig" reflect on how spirituality, mentorship, and meaningful relationships have helped shape their perspectives on life, leadership, and service.

In this episode, I break down the real-world decisions behind firefighter removal—when to package a downed firefighter and when speed takes priority. Training gives us structure, but on the fireground, those lines blur fast. We’ll talk about how to bridge the gap between textbook drills and the messy reality of getting one of our own out alive.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Peter Askey, President of Ricochet Manufacturing, for an inside look at the company’s Philadelphia facility and the mission behind designing modern firefighter PPE.

Peter shares his unconventional journey—from aerospace engineering and private equity to leading a growing turnout gear manufacturer focused on protecting first responders. Ricochet began producing EMS and technical rescue gear before entering the structural turnout gear market in 2011, with a clear goal: build gear that prioritizes mobility, comfort, and firefighter-driven innovation.

The conversation explores how Ricochet works directly with firefighters to improve gear design—from eliminating outdated features like traditional throw tabs to engineering advanced mobility systems such as bi-swing backs and underarm gussets that allow firefighters to move freely while working. Peter also discusses the critical role of education in PPE selection, explaining how turnout gear performance depends heavily on fabric combinations, protection layers, and department-specific operational needs. Departments must balance mobility, durability, and protection when building gear specifications.

The episode also dives into Ricochet’s growth story—including winning a major U.S. Air Force contract supplying turnout gear to roughly 14,000 firefighters across the service, a milestone that forced the company to scale rapidly while maintaining quality and firefighter trust. Finally, the discussion turns to one of the most important issues facing the fire service today: PFAS in firefighter gear. Peter explains how the industry is transitioning to PFAS-free materials, the trade-offs involved, and Ricochet’s commitment to improving firefighter health while continuing to innovate.

This behind-the-scenes conversation highlights the craftsmanship, engineering, and firefighter feedback that drive the evolution of modern turnout gear—and the people dedicated to building it.

As Mickey is driving through Harlem, this quick “from the front seat” message breaks down the true definition of a taxpayer, where the term comes from, and how understanding that building type shapes what we’re actually looking for in our size-up and what it means for the fireground.

It also covers the importance of getting to the rear and delivering a detailed report, confirming a true secondary means of egress and how that directly impacts positioning and operations.

In this episode, Mickey talks about a phrase that is often misused on today’s fireground: “making a window a door.”

We should not be making every window a door. There is a distinct difference between venting for entry and rapid egress versus venting for forward progression on the fire floor and the floors above.

Knowing when and why you’re venting keeps actions intentional, coordinated, and tied to the objective on the fireground.

In this episode, Mickey talks roof operations—legacy buildings versus modern construction, and why common sense still matters on the fireground.

Inspection cuts aren’t there to tell you what kind of building you’re on or what your next move should be. That work should already be done through size-up, district knowledge, and experience.

Once the saw starts, the decision is already made. The roof isn’t a place to hesitate or figure things out in real time. Inspection cuts are for confirming fire extension and fire travel, not for determining steps that should already be understood.

If you’re using the saw to learn the building, you’re already behind the tempo of the fire.

Know the building before you get there and you’re already in position to make a positive impact.

KEEPING CALIFORNIA ENGINE CULTURE ALIVE- FROM THE BACK SEAT

Preserving Engine Culture from the Back Seat is a fire service discussion on mentorship, leadership, and the traditions of the engine company. From the back seat of the rig, firefighters learn more than the job-they learn culture, accountability, and what it means to lead. Through shared experience and guidance, engine culture is passed down, shaping the next generation of firefighters.

Jeremy moderates this coffeehouse roundtable during the Long Live the Engine Conference in Santa Monica, CA. Joined by Jeff Adams, Santa Monica Fire (CA), Devin Strehl, Oakland Fire (CA), and Adam Ramirez, Richmond Fire (CA), they discuss the California culture that is fueling the love and passion for the job.

Special thanks to:

Fire Nuggets California

Six 5 0 productions

Access Granted

Bay Area Fire store

Dogtown Coffee

Fight Fire Get Dirty

In this episode, Mickey tackles a critical issue plaguing the American fire service: the widespread misunderstanding between OPENING UP and OVERHAUL on the fireground. The discussion breaks down tempo, the role of modern technology, and the responsibility to stay professional while still making decisive moves. The episode also emphasizes clean margins during overhaul and offers practical, building-specific strategies that translate directly to the street.