17 years of combination experience. A Captain on Engine 1 with Mooresville Fire-Rescue. It’s very easy for a Company Officer to talk about expectations and not execute. I’ve been fortunate to witness first hand how putting words into actions leads to building a crew that actually wants to show up to work, train, run calls and overall just get good at the job. Captain Smith said it best in his interview. “The job is much better when you’re good at it.”

IG: russell.smith528

9 years of combination experience. A newly promoted Lieutenant on Ladder 96 with Woodlawn Fire Department. From a very young age Zak always wanted to be a Firefighter. The path that it took to get there wasn’t as easy as most would like but Zak was able to maintain persistence, resilience, continuously learning and adapting, built a strong support network, and overcame challenges with determination and ultimately found his home with Woodlawn Fire Department.

IG: firemanzak_cf

3rd generation Firefighter with 19 years of career experience. A Captain with Shawnee Fire Department in Ohio. Mike believes that you can teach the skill set when it comes to the mechanics of being a Firefighter but you can’t teach passion to go with it. That must come within the individual. At the workplace not everyone is passionate, so it's extremely important for organizations and Leaders to identify and differentiate their passionate employees as they are pivotal to success.

28 years of combination experience. 2nd generation Firefighter. A Captain on Squad 7 with City Of Camden Fire Department in New Jersey. Published author, creator and owner of Eckert Fire Tactics. Love him or don’t Bobby has a huge passion and love for the fire service and will let you know that. There’s a story behind every person. There’s a reason why they are the way they are. Think about that before you judge someone. As an officer Bobby believes that he is there to serve for his people and not the other way around. Leading by example in everything that you do.

IG: eckert_335

14 years of combination experience. Former tiller-man now driver on Ladder 1 for Tacoma Fire Department in Washington. Jon got his start a little later on in life with the fire service but it was always something he thought of doing. His wife pushed him to fulfill his dream and he did just that. The road wasn’t easy upon entering but Jon stayed true to himself and sought out mentors and attended conferences that would propel him to the Firefighter he is today. Sometimes in life especially when it comes to your career in the fire service we must take OWNERSHIP.

IG: quonzie

19 years of career experience. A floating Lieutenant with Montgomery County Fire/Rescue. And creator of When The Smoke Clears Podcast. Russell had an Uncle who served with the FDNY and on top of that he has always been into anything related to Fire trucks. So upon moving back into Maryland he would often visit and ride with members of Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department Company 34 in PG county. From there he turned to the cadet program in PG obtained all his certifications and began applying to career departments when Montgomery called and gave him his shot. Russell is a very humble Lieutenant that remembers its more about just pointing and giving commands. Russell is going to get in the trenches and be the first to perform whatever skill or task is needed. One of his biggest pet peeves is learning to “Control the things we can control.”

IG: reverend.pain

4th generation Firefighter with 17 years of combination experience. 2024 Texas Fire Chief’s excellence and Fire Instructor of the year winner. Division Chief Of Training along with Wellness and Fitness director for Cypress Creek Fire Department in Texas. Creator and founder for Ironclad Wellness that provides mentoring, coaching and peer support to first responders struggling with their own mental health. Jason certainly did not have to come on the podcast and openly discuss his own struggles. But I applaud him for doing so because in this day and age we need more individuals like him to openly discuss their own battles which in return can show others out there who maybe hiding in plain sight that help is out there and they’re not alone. I truly truly hope the listeners can listen and pick up the nuggets Jason drops within this episode. I can’t thank Jason enough for coming on and talking shop.

IG:guardiangrounds &ironcladwellnesjc

Jim Petruzzi- 48 years of combination experience. Captain with City Of Pittsburgh Bureau Of Fire who retired back in 2020 stationed at 8 Engine & Truck. One thing about retired members within the fire service is even though they’re not on the job anymore they still can listen, teach, give sound advice, and can relate to so many different situations and experiences because they have been in our shoes. Jim got a little bit of a late start within his career but was able to absorb and learn from the individuals he wanted to emulate. And when he talks you can see just how much of an impact they had with his mindset and how he chose to lead.

47 years of combination experience. Retired Chief Of Department with the FDNY back in 2023. At a very young age Tom was surrounded by the fire service starting with his father who was a volunteer. After joining that same volunteer department as his Father and a few ride alongs with neighbors who were with FDNY it was inevitable for Tom to find his passion. Upon entering the FDNY Tom was surrounded by senior men who were not on the job but into it and within the interview Tom explains why we all should be. I truly hope the listeners can gain a little bit of knowledge from what Tom speaks.

23 years of combination experience. A Capt/Station commander at Station 6 with Montgomery County Fire/Rescue where he’s been at for 19 years. The conversation Jason and I had was one that should start discussions with others you work with but most importantly within yourself internally. Are you being the best version of you within the organization you serve regardless of rank? If you’re a Company officer I want you to listen to an incident that occurred with Jason and ponder what would you have done in that situation? One of my favorite quotes from Jason is “We train from probable to possible.”