In this episode, Mickey discusses why the difference between urban, suburban, and rural firefighting isn’t nearly as significant as many make it out to be especially when it comes to Main Street USA.

This episode explores how identifying the odor of smoke on arrival can influence the sequential steps that follow. Whether it’s electrical, rubbish, or wood burning can help dictate the order of your actions and the decisions that come next.

What starts as a simple idea in the firehouse can grow into something that impacts departments across the country.

In this episode of the National Fire Radio Podcast, Jeremy sits down with Danny, Matt, and Shawn from Box Alarm Grilles to talk about the journey from hand-cut grille numbers made in a garage to a recognizable firefighter-owned brand in the fire service. What began as a way to identify apparatus in Danny's own department quickly evolved into custom grille numbers, mud flaps, and a business trusted by fire departments, dealers, and manufacturers nationwide.

This isn't just a conversation about custom apparatus accessories. It's an honest discussion about entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, scaling a business, mentorship, customer service, and balancing a full-time career while chasing a passion.

The group shares the realities of growing a firefighter-owned business, the importance of building products that last, learning through failure, and why reputation and relationships will always matter more than shortcuts. They also dive into volunteer fire service challenges, innovation in apparatus design, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who make you better.

Whether you're a firefighter, entrepreneur, apparatus committee member, or someone building a business from the ground up, this episode is packed with lessons that go far beyond the firehouse.

"Add Pride to Your Ride"

Check out Box Alarm Grilles at www.boxalarmgrilles.com

In this episode of the National Fire Radio Podcast, Jeremy sits down with two respected fire service leaders, Mike Ciampo and Larry DiCamillo, for an authentic conversation about the relationships, traditions, and leadership principles that shape a firefighter's career.

Rather than focusing solely on tactics, the discussion explores the human side of the fire service; how friendships are built through shared experiences, why humility creates better instructors, and how the greatest leaders never stop learning. Mike reflects on his remarkable career in the FDNY, growing up in a multi-generation firefighting family, being mentored by some of the department's legendary figures, and eventually becoming one of the most influential voices in the fire service through Fire Engineering. Larry shares his journey from a first-generation firefighter in Houston, discussing the mentors who shaped him and the importance of calm, confident leadership both on the fireground and in the firehouse.

Throughout the conversation, the three discuss the value of preserving fire service history, learning from mistakes, mentoring the next generation, and understanding that great leadership is built on respect, not rank. From apparatus history and truck company operations to stories of legendary firefighters and unforgettable firehouse moments, this episode serves as a reminder that experience is only valuable when it's passed on to others.

Whether you're a new firefighter or a seasoned officer, this conversation is packed with timeless lessons about brotherhood, humility, mentorship, and leaving the fire service better than you found it.

In this episode, Mickey discusses wall orientation and what left-hand and right-hand orientation really means. He covers why maintaining physical contact with the wall during a change of direction under stressful conditions matters, and how combining that with mind mapping and mental triggers helps you reorient yourself. Whether conditions change or you simply need to regain your bearings, these basic concepts can help keep you orient and re-orientate on the fire floor and floors above the fire.

In this job, words matter. The terminology we use shapes how firefighters think, react, and make decisions under pressure.

This episode explores how language can unintentionally program young firefighters to focus on one outcome instead of reading the details entire of the fireground. Are we developing independent thinkers or firefighters who simply follow a script?

What does it take to build a volunteer fire department where people actually want to serve?

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Jeremy sits down with Chief Tyson Converse of the West Glens Falls Fire Department (Queensbury, New York) to discuss the leadership philosophy that has transformed department culture and helped bring **12 new members through the doors in just seven months.**

Chief Converse shares why retention starts with respect, how treating members like family creates long-term commitment, and why a healthy culture is the single greatest recruitment tool any volunteer fire department can have. The conversation explores mentorship, leadership, balancing tradition with innovation, and the importance of building an organization where firefighters genuinely want to spend their time.

The discussion also highlights West Glens Falls' newest addition to the fleet, an HME Ahrens-Fox Core 62 Spectr II pumper. The department's decision-making process behind selecting a spec apparatus. From hot-dip galvanized frame rails and stainless-steel construction built for harsh upstate New York winters to the practical compromises that shortened delivery time, Chief Converse explains how thoughtful planning led to an apparatus designed around the department's operational needs.

This isn't simply a conversation about a fire truck, it's about leadership, culture, community, and building a volunteer organization that will continue serving its citizens for generations.

Topics Covered

• Building a volunteer culture that attracts new members

• Leadership through respect and mentorship • Retention before recruitment

• Volunteer fire service challenges and opportunities

• Community engagement and organizational growth

• HME Ahrens-Fox Core 62 Spectr II overview

• Spec apparatus vs. custom builds

• Fire apparatus design for harsh winter environments

• The future of the West Glens Falls Fire Department

Subscribe to National Fire Radio for conversations that preserve the traditions of the fire service while embracing the innovation shaping its future.

In this episode of A View from the Top Floor, Mickey Farrell explores why the fireground has more in common with a chessboard than most realize.

Using one of Anatoly Karpov’s most famous observations—that pawns are the foundation of every position, this episode breaks down how every action on the fireground creates a response, and every response determines the outcome. Through the lens of E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome), Mickey explains why success isn’t built on dramatic moments, but on disciplined decisions, calculated positioning, and understanding the consequences of every move.

From stretching the first line, forcing the door, cutting the roof, coordinating the attack, every move either improves your position or gives the fire an advantage. Like chess, the fireground rewards those who think ahead, anticipate reactions, and understand that victory is rarely the result of one brilliant move, it’s the product of countless small decisions made correctly.

Checkmate isn’t luck.

It’s the outcome of every move that came before it.

In window orientated search, the choice between headfirst and feetfirst isn't just about technique, it's about the platform you're operating from. Each method has its pros and cons, and understanding this can make all the difference in a high-stress situation.

In this episode, Mickey talks about how the platform dictates your entry method, whether it’s a portable ladder or a fire escape. Always assess your surroundings and stay oriented to your escape route.

Ultimately, it’s about preserving your safety while maximizing your tactical advantage. What have you learned about this?

As part of the ongoing HME Ahrens-Fox collaborative project highlighting the people and apparatus driving the future of the fire service, National Fire Radio's Jeremy Donch sat down with Greenwood Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Shinkle to discuss leadership, growth, culture, and what it means to help shape a rapidly evolving department.

With 27 years of service and the distinction of being Greenwood's longest-tenured career firefighter, Chief Shinkle offers a unique perspective on the department's transformation from a small, partially staffed organization into a thriving, fully career department serving one of Indiana's fastest-growing communities. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the importance of company officers, maintaining connection to the firefighters on the floor, and ensuring the next generation understands the sacrifices and hard work that built the department they serve today.

Chief Shinkle shares candid thoughts on the transition from company officer to battalion chief, the challenges of staying connected after promotion, and why strong leaders must continue advocating for the firefighters riding the backstep. As Greenwood continues to expand with new stations, new apparatus, additional staffing, and a state-of-the-art training facility, he emphasizes the department's commitment to preparing young firefighters for long-term success while preserving the culture and traditions that have defined the organization for decades.

The conversation also highlights the rewarding experience of watching firefighters develop, promote, and build careers of their own. For Chief Shinkle, leadership is measured not by rank, but by the impact left on the people who follow. As retirement slowly approaches, his focus remains on ensuring Greenwood Fire Department is positioned for continued growth and excellence long after his final shift.

This episode is a powerful look at mentorship, leadership, organizational growth, and the responsibility of passing the torch to the next generation of firefighters.

In this episode of the National Fire Radio Podcast, Jeremy sits down with Al Pratts and Joe Grossi of Promotional Prep, a firefighter-focused training and development company dedicated to helping candidates navigate both the entry-level hiring process and promotional exams throughout the fire service.

Drawing from their experiences as chief officers in North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue and the Hoboken Fire Department, Al and Joe have built Promotional Prep around a simple mission: develop better firefighters, better officers, and ultimately a stronger fire service. The conversation goes far beyond test preparation. Jeremy, Al, and Joe explore how today's firefighters are gaining access to more knowledge than any previous generation, why critical thinking has become more important than memorization, and how promotional testing is evolving to identify leaders who can adapt and make sound decisions under pressure.

They discuss mentorship, officer development, firefighter readiness, and the responsibility senior members have to prepare the next generation for success. Al and Joe also share their personal journeys into the fire service, lessons learned through their own promotional experiences, and why investing in firefighters before they ever step into an academy may be one of the most important things we can do for the future of the profession.