The C.A.N. Report

Make sure you're sitting down for this one...better yet...Gear up and get some reps in! Marcos Orozco brings the heat!!

Marcos Orozco is passionate, driven, educated and humble! The man doesn't no the meaning of the word quit. Marcos has been dedicating his mind and body to the fire service and to make others better. Marcos has been doing workouts in his gear for over 15 plus years and has created programs for others to reach their potential. Marcos has been through some negative and dark times in his life, and instead of using that as an excuse to fail in life, he has used his experiences to thrive and to push others to succeed.

Marcos is extremely humble and down to earth. Marcos is also co-owner of True Grit Training, where they provide realistic “live fire” trainings as well as RIT and Search and Rescue classes in the Denver metropolitan area.

Marcos has been an instructor for over 11 years and travels all over the country teaching HOT classes and giving his lecture “Improving fire ground performance through fitness and mental fortitude”.

This was a wicked fun conversation and even though we had some technical difficulties during the interview...we preserved and got it done!

Thank you Marcos for being a part of this and for making others better. Nozzle Tov!!

I had the honor of being invited to the Northeastern Fire Summit in Wells,Maine, hosted by the New England FOOLS. While I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting incredible people from all over New England, including Canada, Mississippi and New Jersey.

One of those incredible people where Chris Gray. Chris Gray is a Battalion Chief for Central Falls Fire Department in Rhode Island. BC Gray started as a volunteer/paid call firefighter in Lincoln R.I. where he was eventually hired as a career member. BC Gray started with the Central Falls Fire Department in 2004, and now serves as a Battalion Chief. BC Gray has served on the R.I. Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce, achieving the rank of Squad Leader. Became an Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal Fire/Arson Investigator for R.I., Lead Instructor for the RI Fire Academy, owner and operator of Truck Co. Manifesto prop design and training company. BC Gray is a Member of the new England FOOLS, Board member and presenter for the International Association of Arson Investigators, which has led him to the field of Lithium Ion battery fires including EV/Hybrids.

BC Gray and I have a brief discussion on his background, how he came to investigating EV and lithium ion battery fires. His experience at the Station Nightclub fire and his own personal struggles with mental health and how to seek help. BC Gray, is one of the most humble and down to earth people that I have had the pleasure to meet. Thank you Chief for spending some time with me and telling us a little about yourself. BC Gray will definitely be a repeat guest on The CAN Report.

I hope you all enjoy this session...Nozzle Tov!!

Chief Erik Thomas is the fire Chief for the Atkinson Fire Department. Chief Thomas has had a lengthy career before starting his new journey as a fire Chief for the town of Atkinson. I've had the pleasure of working with Erik for many years and then eventually becoming good friends. Erik is a wealth of knowledge, open and honest. He has been someone that I have turned to for advice on many occasions. Erik has been a paramedic for over 20 years and was a Captain before leaving for the Chief position. Erik is an accomplished bass player as well and currently tours with The Annie Brobst Band.

I had a great sitting by the fire in the "Ford Room" and learning more about Erik and his take on the fire service culture. I hope you enjoy and take some lessons that Erik has learned in his life with you. Stay safe...Nozzle Tov!

I had the opportunity to sit down with Keenan Hagerty. Keenan is a solid and motivated young man. Keenan started with the Junior Firefighter Program while in High School. As soon as he started he knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Keenan hit the ground running, with the Junior program. He soon was promoted to an Officer for his charter and then selected to be a Junior Officer for the NH Emergency Services Explorer Training Academy. Keenan's background in High School sports helped to equip him in the physical demands that the job requires. Keenan has gotten some great advice from his "Grampy" through the years and he talks about how much he appreciated him. Keenan is now enrolled in the Lakes Region Community College and will soon be starting his first job as a career Firefighter. I ask that you share this episode to anyone who is in high school or a teenager that is looking for a direction in life. I hope you all enjoy this episode as much as I did. Nozzle Tov!!

Alex Rafeld is a backstep firefighter for the Columbus Division of Fire. He has 7 total years on the job, 6 years career, and 2 years working for Columbus. He serves on the E board of the Central Ohio FOOLS as the chapters training coordinator. He has a passion for training and honing his craft, especially when it comes to engine operations. Lastly, he runs the Project Backstep Facebook page where he shares his thoughts and documents his journey trying to be a better firefighter every day in hopes to inspire others to get out and do the same. Alex is dialed in and loves to get the reps in when he can. Alex lives for the job, but knows that family comes first. I hope you all enjoy this podcast as much as I did. Nozzle Tov!!

I get to sit down with Rob Policht of Flow and Vent. Rob is dialed in as they come. Truly humble and down to earth. Rob and I talk about...well pretty much...EVERYTHING. It was great a conversation, and we certainly hope you all enjoy it. Thank you Rob for being on the show and for being so dedicated to the craft. Make sure you listen to Flow and Vent podcast on Spotify as well.

Episode 23 with BC Jeff Stone. Chief Stone has over 30 years of experience in the fire service. He is as humble as they come and is a forever student of the fire service. On this episode, I have a chance to talk with Jeff about the lessons that he learned while coming up in the fire service and what he continues to learn today. Jeff loves giving back what he has learned and truly believes that it's a gift to do this job...and he ain't wrong! We talk about mentors, training and how his department managed a fire scene that had some different and difficult problems, but through teamwork, mutual aid and trusting in your team made it for successful outcome for all.

Battalion Chief Jeff Stone

- Dad to 2 amazing service minded professionals.

- Lifetime student of the Fire Service

30 Year Member of the Concord NH Fire Department

- Engine Boss at heart.

- 3 years as Battalion Chief

- 22 years as a Company Officer

36 Years in the Fire Service.

Fire Instructor at the NH Fire Academy

Spend time working with many departments as a sort of consultant / instructor. Just willing to help departments get on plane with Fire Service Hydraulics, Hose, Nozzles, Fire Attack and passion of Standpipe Operations, primarily in “Low / Mid Rise, Large Building” environments.

Passionate and inspired by leadership and company level dynamics, fireground operations, and blending the new generation with the more tenured members on the job.

On this episode of the CAN Report I sit down with Chief Klose and discuss an important topic that we all should be aware of...what happens during an LODD and how to prepare?

Chief Klose is currently a team leader and the benefit specialist for the Granite State Fire Service Support Team. A team of volunteers that assist municipal organizations when they have a Line-of Duty Death.

Chief Klose researched and developed the State of NH Line of Duty Death and Serious Injury Contingency Plan in 2001, when he was a member of the Derry Fire Department.

This is an important for Career and Volunteer firefighters, Chief Klose breaks down the type of services provided and the paperwork that every firefighter and departments should have for their members.

Chief Klose has worked tirelessly to help families retrieve benefits owed to their loved ones. Chief Klose speaks on the difficulties dealing with the red tape and legalities that are involved with the process. This is a not miss episode and I thank Chief Klose for sharing this important information and to his team for all that they do for us. Nozzle Tov! Listed is the link that Chief Mark had spoken about for your use. https://bja.ojp.gov/program/psob

Will Thalheimer is Lieutenant of the Derry Fire Department. Will currently runs the Recruit and Orientation program for Derry. Will is a National Fall Firefighters Foundation Everyone Goes Home Advocate and on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend Command Staff.

Will has written for Fire Engineering and Firefighter Nation Magazine. He has a strong belief that we need to remember the fallen and to learn from their sacrifice. Will has been a mentor to so many and continues to motivate and inspire others on a regular basis.

Join us as we talk about firehouse culture, firefighter fitness, building a solid crew, giving back with our knowledge and experience, attending outside trainings bringing and much more. Thank you Will being a guest on The CAN Report and for what you do for the fire service. Nozzle Tov!

Episode 20!! I can't believe we made it to 20 episodes! Thank you to all of you for following and listening. Thank you for coming along on this adventure with me. On this episode we sit down with Rusty Ricker. Rusty is the President of the New England FOOLs Chapter, and he has been a firefighter in the state of Massachusetts for over 36 years. Rusty comes from a long line of firefighters and the passion has carried onto his sons as well. We sit down with Rusty to talk about the history of the New England FOOLs, what it means to be a FOOLs member and the benefits that come with it. On this episode Rusty talks about the Northeastern Fire Summit in Wells, Maine which is March 14th through the 16th. Rusty has seen many changes in the fire service and has seen many friends come and go. We talk about those changes and talk about the relationships made in the fire service. Thank you, Rusty, for being on the show and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Nozzle Tov!!