The C.A.N. Report

Jake Poulin always wanted to be a fireman since he was a small child. Jake Started hanging out at the firehouse at 14 years old in Swanzey, NH. He joined the Keene, NH explorers for extra time.

Jake then joined the Swanzey, NH call department at 18, graduated high school and went to the Lakes Region Community College for fire science. He was a live in student with the Gilmanton Fire Department for a semester and a half. Jake then was hired full time with the Belmont Fire Department when he was 20 years old. Jake then moved on to Keene Fire in 2018 to be closer to his family. Jake was promoted to Lieutenant in 2024.

Jake believes that Passion is the basics of firemanship, hose and nozzles, ground ladders, and search.

Jake talks about setting expectations, operating off of a playbook that should be communicated to members, fire rescue survey, limited manpower ops based on crew size especially pump operator actions and hose deployment.

After a few years he was put in a position and asked to lie on some paperwork, or risk being sent home without pay, and eventually forced to resign. Griffin was sent home that day, and that's where he thought his fire service career was going to end. He and his wife turned what was a sweet side gig ('Stache Salt) into their full-time job and relocated their family to Utah.

After staying involved in the fire service through training opportunities, attending conferences, and continuing to support the mission of the fire service, he found himself on a new department in Utah, and after some time has found his seat as Lieutenant on Engine 71. He and his wife are continuing to grow 'Stache Salt with a mission to provide excellent products that match the hard working members and mentality of the fire service. 
Griffin is passionate about realistic training, remaining a student of the craft, and getting back to the basics of the fire service. Search is the foundation and reason why we go to jobs, and he wants to help promote a culture of service to the citizens over FD member "safety." He currently serves as a member of the Ambassadors of the Craft Cadre, as well as helping with his local recruit academies. 

Donovan's motto is "Stay tough to kill". I believe he means it and he continue to spread that important message through his trainings.

Eric Wuensch has 5 1/2 years of combined volunteer/full time experience in the fire service with the Granite Shoals Fire Department. Eric is a recipient of the Medal of Valor for actions in the field. He is affiliated with the Dagum Fire Conference Crew and assists with the MV Fire Rescue Training. He is supported by his wife of 11 years Jessica and his two daughters Kinley and Hayden. Eric brings us into his world of passion, dedication and pride within the fire service. Eric talks about his brush with death..and coming right back to fulfill his life ambition. I hope you enjoy this Episode as much as I did. Nozzle Tov!!

Joseph Stalker is a Captain / Paramedic at the Hooksett Fire Rescue Dept and has been there for 20 years. Captain Stalker manages the department’s emergency medical services and is active in the fire-based EMS community. Captain Stalker holds a degree in Fire Science from the Lakes Region Community College and is in the process of completing his Bachelor's Degree in Applied Studies Management at the University of NH. He is also a credentialed Fire Officer (FO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He is a member of the state’s EMS Protocol Subcommittee and on the advisory board of the New England EMS Institute (NEEMSI). Captain Stalker is also a SWAT medic on the Southern NH Special Operations Unit based out of Derry, NH. He lives in Concord, NH with his wife Heather, and two kids Harper and Daniel. Captain Stalker truly has a passion for EMS and loves to educate others in the field or anyone who is looking to enter the EMS/Fire field. Captain Stalker talks about the importance of Fire-Based EMS, and how it serves a beneficial purpose in our field.

In honor of Men's Mental Health Month, I talk about my own personal experiences and struggles with a toxic work environment. Not all PTSD or mental health struggles are related to what we see in the field. The stress can come from inside the workplace. I came across an article written by two women who are married to firefighters, and they write about the impact that Organizational Betrayal had on their husbands and their family life. Tracy McCart and Kathy Edwards of the Fire Wife Life LLC article really touched me and inspired me to tell my story. I spent many years struggling to find a way to overcome my depression and guilt of on-the-job abuse. Abuse is not just physical, it is mental as well and it can truly take its toll on you. Thank you for listening to my story and I hope if you're feeling that there isn't a way out, that this inspires you to get help. No one needs to fight this battle alone. You are everything to someone.

Nate Gendreau started his passion for the fire service at 14 years old when he joined the Fire Explorers in Hudson, NH. Fast forward to 2018 when he began his education at the New Hampshire Fire Academy, where shortly after he obtained his EMT license and started working in private EMS. Then in 2022, Nate began working for the Epsom, Chichester and Deering fire departments. In 2023, he was offered a full time position with the Laconia Fire Department, where he obtained his A-EMT license. Nate had to work very hard to overcome some serious medical conditions to follow his dreams of becoming a career firefighter. At 13 yrs old, Nate was told that he could never become what he dreamed of doing...well he proved them wrong!

We're making a CRASH literally on this podcast with Josh Lantz of Universal City FD. Josh has overcome some big obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a career firefighter. Josh talks about his struggles and life lessons on not giving up and taking nothing for granted. Josh is a dialed in firefighter who's passion is infectious.

Putting the cart before the horse...I realized that after my first podcast, that I never introduced myself. Sorry about that! So here is the quick little introduction of me.

In this episode I sit down with Retired Deputy Chief John Chesnulevich of the Nashua Fire Department. John started his fire service with the Hudson Junior Explorer program when he was 15 years old. Fast forward to John starting with one of the busiest fire departments in New Hampshire at only 18 years old. John climbed rose to the ranks of Deputy Chief with Nashua Fire, retiring in 1991. John has worn many hats in the fire service and gives us some of his experiences that he went through in the '70s.