The crew debates a firehouse classic: If most of our calls are EMS, should most of our training be EMS? With departments running 80%+ medical calls in many areas, is it time to shift focus—or double down on fire because it’s high-risk and low-frequency?

• EMS isn’t going anywhere.
  Call volume continues trending heavily medical. Fires are decreasing due to prevention, codes, and education.

• Train for high-acuity on both sides.
  Even if you run EMS daily, you still need reps on cardiac arrests, strokes, trauma, airway management, and rare presentations. Same logic as training for low-frequency, high-risk fire incidents.

• Service is service.
  Whether it’s a working structure fire or grandma on the floor, we’re there to solve problems. The public expects professionalism no matter the call type.

• Jack of all trades? Good.
  The fire service is an all-hazards profession. Being competent across fire, EMS, rescue, and prevention is the job.

• For new firefighters:
  You’re signing up for both. You’ll pull hose and you’ll run 12-leads. Train hard at both.

• New Engineer Tier Patreon members: Simon Gray & Ty Rowan

• Turnout Drill Wheel Winner: Simon Gray

• Merch shoutout + FDIC Burn Box teaser

• Road to 1,000 Spotify followers

Bottom line:
EMS vs. fire isn’t either/or. It’s both. Train accordingly.

In this episode, the crew sits down with K-Bill from Social FD to talk about the reality of social media in today’s fire service—especially how it impacts volunteer recruitment, retention, and community trust. From “Facebook warriors” and negativity in comment sections, to meeting the next generation where they are (yes… even Twitch), this one hits culture, standards, and how we can do better without tearing each other down publicly.

• Why Social FD exists and the problem it’s trying to solve for volunteer departments

• How social media can build trust → support → recruitment

• The uncomfortable truth: everyone’s an “overnight expert” online (and it’s hurting the fire service)

• Why departments shouldn’t ban everyday station content—the next generation lives online

• A real talk discussion on standards vs. public shaming (beards/NFPA/social media pile-ons)

• How to correct mistakes the right way: educate internally, don’t embarrass externally

• The crew rips Legacy Fire Cards live and talks using them to engage rookies and kids

• Snail Mail highlights + community shoutouts, including powerful mental health feedback

• The Burn Box (housekeeping segment shoutout)

• Unkie Seasonings (plus a fun giveaway tease tied to brisket tags)

  
  

• “Trust builds support, and support builds recruitment.” — K-Bill

• “A simple post can save a life.” — K-Bill

• “We’re tearing the fire service down with these arguments publicly.” — K-Bill

• “Educate first, then advocate.” — Brian

• “We’re the custodians of the fire service.” — Freddy

• “It’s not what you say—it’s how you say it.” — Brian

Social FD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping volunteer fire departments with:

• Online engagement support

• Free website hosting tools

• Social media scheduling/posting help

• Guidance on using content to build community trust and recruitment

Find K-Bill / Social FD:

• socialfd.org/links (all platforms + resources)

Also mentioned:

• Thinline Rock Station (online radio for first responders)

• Saturday nights (5–7pm CST) you can catch K-Bill featured on-air

• Honor Guard uniform opinions (ascot + blouse belt hate = strong consensus 😂)

• Listener shares first Honor Guard detail experience and learning etiquette fast

• Powerful mental health responses: encouragement to normalize getting help early

• Patreon and merch mentions sprinkled throughout (plus “Sorry, Rhett” moments)

If this episode hits home, share it with:

• A volunteer department that needs community support

• A chief/admin team debating social media policies

• A new firefighter who needs encouragement and culture done right

And as always: be kind, build people up, and keep the tradition strong—without becoming the comment-section NFPA police.

What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeSponsors / Housekeeping MentionsKey Moments (Approx. Timestamps)Quotes Worth PullingGuest Info: K-Bill (Social FD)Community / Snail Mail HighlightsCall to Action

The crew kicks things off in classic “kitchen table” fashion (yes… with an unfortunate shart confession) before shifting into a respectful, meaningful conversation about Honor Guard in the fire service—why it matters, what professionalism looks like, and how departments can build/strengthen their own teams. Along the way: sponsor shoutouts, a moment of silence for two fallen firefighters, and a trick-question flag trivia that gets Matt good.

In This Episode

Cold Open: The “Literal Sh*t Show

• Unkie admits to a wet fart situation (aka: shart), sparking a round of “we’ve all been there” stories.

• Brian loses his appetite mid-conversation.

• Doug officially welcomes everyone to the literal “shit show” that is the podcast.

  
  

  ”Housekeeping & Updates

  
  

  Patreon Shoutouts

• New Patreon members welcomed:

  • Ricky Bird

  • Big Bob Penrod (Doug’s new nickname for him)

  • B. Stapleton (the crew debates what the “B” stands for—Brandon? Bradley? Bryce? Broseph? Bart?)

    
    

    Merch Update

• Merch is moving: shirts, hoodies, hats, and now embroidered hats are rolling out.

• Big thanks to everyone who’s ordered.

  
  

  Sponsor Shoutouts

• Unkie’s Seasonings

  • Unkie will be at Virginia Fire & Expo in Virginia Beach (Feb 19–21)

  • Hanging around heavy hitters like Taylor’s Tins, National Fire Radio, and more.

• Burn Box

  • The crew highlights recent box items (hoodie, stickers, mask bag).

  • “If you’re on the fence, jump off and get one.”

    
    

    Potential New Sponsor Idea

• The crew makes a strong case for Dude Wipes becoming a sponsor… for obvious reasons.

  
  

  Moment of Silence

The team honors two recent losses in the fire service:

• Firefighter Michael Mejia (National City FD) — passed from complications of a severe illness.

• Firefighter Howard Bennett (60) — fell into the icy Delaware River while inspecting a fireboat at Wiggins Park Marina.

  
  

  Main Topic: Honor Guard in the Fire Service

• The crew emphasizes Honor Guard as a prestigious, humbling, high-respect role.

• Doug shares that Honor Guard may be the most important work he does in his career.

Doug lays down a core philosophy:

• Honor Guard should be professional, tactful, and executed quietly.

• Cadence screaming or making it “about you” defeats the point.

• Unkie shares frustration with “Marine Corps cadence” style pageantry in civilian settings.

• Doug’s pet peeve: ascots (“Victorian era nonsense” 😂)

Matt shares a probationary-day moment:

• At a Memorial Day ceremony, he placed a wreath… and saluted his Captain instead of the flag.

• Crew compares Matt to “Officer Doofy.”

Unkie hits the crew with trivia:

• Trick question: What degree does the American flag angle during Present Arms?

  • Answer: It doesn’t. The U.S. flag does not bow—only other flags do.

  • Brian nails it. Matt gets smoked.

• Bonus trivia:

  • Texas is the only state flag that can be displayed at the same height as the U.S. flag (as explained in the episode).

• Ricky Bird praises the importance of recent mental health episodes.

• Kenny Mitchell encourages using the episode for roundtable training and discussion.

• Doug shouts out Chelsea from “Hold the Line at Home” for sharing mental health content.

• A listener shares they were admitted to a psych facility after letting things build up—crew praises the honesty and reinforces:

  • “It’s okay to not be okay. It’s not okay to stay not okay.”

• “Welcome to the literal shit show…” — Doug

• “You shouldn’t be heard.” — Doug on Honor Guard professionalism

• “Ditch your bricks.” — Doug (throwback phrase that may become merch)

• How does YOUR department run Honor Guard?
  Drop it in the comments—structure, training, uniforms, pay/OT, recruiting, etc.

• What’s the worst (or weirdest) Honor Guard/Class A uniform detail you’ve seen?
  Keep it respectful… but let’s hear it.

Summary

In this episode, the guys welcome back Greg Rudiger (Resilient Another Day / The Radcast) for a real, needed conversation about mental health in the fire service—and why we must start talking to recruits and new members early, not just after 15–20 years of calls, stress, and life piling up. The crew covers how peer support, resiliency tools, spirituality, and the “power of the pause” can help firefighters stay in the fight—at work, at home, and into retirement.

• Greg returns (first appeared on Episode 75) for Episode 145.

• Matt sets the tone: firefighters are killing themselves—and we need to stop acting like it’s not real.

• The crew agrees this topic should be in fire academies nationwide, not treated as an afterthought.

Patreon update

• Patreon is growing fast: 12 members (with a recent surge of new sign-ups).

• The team discusses possible perks like watching the podcast live during recording via Riverside.

New subscribers shout-outs

• Tyler Carson (free member)

• Tyler Adams

• Jesus & Sophia

• Social FD (paid supporter)

Merch

• New flagship merch drop: shirts/hoodies/hats/long sleeves + specialty designs.

• Discount code mentioned: “Episode144” for 15% off (limited time).

Sponsors

• Unkie’s Seasonings

• Burn Box / FD Collectors Club

• Plus love for Blue Collar Firemen

Greg breaks down the shift toward a proactive approach:

• If firefighter survival training is 75% prevention, why isn’t mental health training the same?

• They’re teaching recruits common language + tools before they ever hit the street:

  • Stress continuum (blue/green/yellow/orange/red)

  • Breath work / mindfulness

  • Work-life balance, sleep, nutrition, exercise

  • Peer support resources and apps

• The goal: normalize “Cap, I’m not okay” and make it safe to say.

Brian brings up the tension:

• Some firefighters reject the mental health conversation as “victim mindset.”

• Greg responds: it’s not about weakness—it’s about leading with love, listening, and meeting the human.

• Also discussed: the “weaponization” concern—people claiming mental health issues to avoid accountability—without dismissing anyone who truly needs help.

Greg’s point hits hard:

• You don’t carry one tool on the rig—you carry a toolbox.

• Same for wellness: breath work might work today, but tomorrow it might be running, faith, calling a buddy, stretching, ocean time, etc.

• The theme: sometimes you have to sit in the uncomfortable long enough to move through it.

• The crew emphasizes not being afraid of silence—on the mic and in real life.

• The pause helps you:

  • respond instead of react

  • recognize what you’re feeling

Brian shares scripture and the Footprints poem to underline the spiritual dimension:

• Faith isn’t “religion as performance”—it’s spiritual grounding and support.

• Greg ties it into wellness: the spiritual pillar is often the missing piece.

• Shared theme: we’re not meant to carry it alone.

Freddy raises a huge point:

• Retirement can be dangerous for mental health—loss of structure, identity shift, isolation.
  Greg explains what they’re doing:

• retiree peer support groups

• intentional check-ins (personal phone/email, not “department HR”)

• spouse inclusion

• monthly breakfasts and continued connection

• Matt addresses a correction from a listener regarding PAH exposure discussion from Episode 144:

  • Clarifies the study measured urinary metabolites, not dermal skin measurements.

  • Reinforces the key takeaway: SCBA use (even for engineers in the hot/warm zone) reduces exposure.

• Comment: How are you “par checking” your people?

• What tools are you using—peer support, faith, exercise, breath work, counseling, retirement groups?

• If you’re struggling: reach out to someone (your crew, peer support, or the podcast team).

• Merch: https://the-cool-fireman.myshopify.com/collections

• Greg / RAD: resilientanotherday.com

• Social: @stay.rad10 (IG/TikTok)

Greg Rudiger

• Founder: Resilient Another Day (RAD)

• Co-host: The Radcast

• Offers: resiliency training + help building peer support frameworks (“can’t be a prophet in your own town” support)

Special Guest: Scott Jennie | Firefighter Cancer Support Network

In this powerful and timely episode, the crew sits down with retired Captain Scott Jennie, National Training Program Manager and California State Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN). This conversation dives deep into the realities of occupational cancer in the fire service, the cultural shifts needed to protect firefighters, and the life-saving resources available when the unthinkable happens.

🔥 Episode Highlights

• Scott’s transition from the fire floor to national cancer advocacy

• Why firefighter cancer rates continue to rise nationwide

• Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of annual safety stand-downs

• The myth of “it’s just part of the job” — and why it doesn’t have to be

• The critical role of peer-to-peer (badge-to-badge) support during a cancer diagnosis

• How Firefighter Cancer Support Network helps firefighters and their families, free of charge

• What to do immediately after receiving a cancer diagnosis

• Navigating workers’ comp, presumptive laws, and self-advocacy

• Why overhaul is one of the most dangerous exposure periods

• “If you smell smoke, you smell cancer” — fighting fire aggressively and smart

• Culture change: accountability at every rank, from probie to chief

• Why engineers often experience the highest PAH exposure levels

• Small daily habits that significantly reduce cancer risk

• Early detection, screenings, and why education saves lives

  
  

  🧠 Key Takeaways

• No firefighter should ever fight cancer alone

• Occupational cancer is preventable with awareness, behavior change, and accountability

• Clean gear, clean air, clean cab — every call, every time

• Leadership is not rank-dependent; anyone can speak up and make a difference

• Firefighters must prioritize long-term health to enjoy retirement with family

🎗️ About Firefighter Cancer Support Network

Firefighter Cancer Support Network is a nationwide nonprofit providing:

• Peer-to-peer mentorship

• Cancer toolkits and survivor guides

• Education and training

• Navigation support for diagnosis, treatment, and recovery

• Resources for firefighters, EMS professionals, and immediate family members

All services are free of charge.

👉 If you or someone you know needs help:
🌐 https://www.firefightercancersupport.org/
📞 Assistance available via website or hotline
🧑‍🚒 Volunteer mentors and state directors available nationwide

🛒 Support the Podcast

Check out our latest merch and help support the show:
👉 https://the-cool-fireman.myshopify.com/collections

🤝 What’s Next

The Cool Fireman Podcast will be planning a future Fill the Boot–style fundraiser to directly support the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Stay tuned for details.

As always — thank you for listening, supporting, and being part of this community.

🎙️ Roll it, Gigi.

The Cool Fireman Podcast | Featuring Matt, Brian, Doug Bishop, and Unkie (Adam)

Episode summary

Episode 143 starts with classic pre-show chaos (tech issues + “Instagram crushing”), then pivots into a real-deal conversation about upstaffing—why it matters, how it’s triggered, what it looks like across the country (snow/ice, hurricanes, wildfires), and the hardest part of emergency operations: deciding when you can’t respond. The crew also hits sponsor updates, a powerful moment of silence request, and finishes strong with Snail Mail—highlighting promotion motivations and a listener question about leading with love from the back seat.

NEW MERCHANDISE STORE:

https://the-cool-fireman.myshopify.com/collections/all

14:40 – Moment of silence (LODD / cancer-related death)
A listener email from Tyler Adams requests recognition of David Hendricks, Crescent VFD (Crescent, Texas), who died from job-related cancer (email dated Jan 15). The crew honors him with a moment of silence and discusses the continuing impact of occupational exposure and long-term health effects.

Main discussion: Upstaffing (what it is + why it matters)

20:20 – What triggers upstaffing?
Doug breaks down winter storm operations: snow/ice projections, above-ground power lines, down trees, stuck units, and how departments decide to add resources.

Storm readiness checklist & resources

• 72/48/24-hour storm checklists

• “Storm boxes” / totes with required items

• Instant chains, Z-cables, heavy chains (deep-snow thresholds, speed limitations)

• Brush trucks + MSU/ambulance support + occasional snow plow attachments

• Parks/forestry departments helping with non-powerline tree calls

28:40 – Hurricane realities & hard decisions
Brian shares hurricane lessons learned: evacuations, resource shortages, and what happens when response becomes physically impossible. The crew talks about the public expectation of “they’ll come” vs the operational reality of risk assessments and responder safety.

34:10 – The hardest call
Brian and Doug hit the human element:

deciding to stop dispatching during severe conditions is one of the most mentally draining decisions in a career.

38:00 – Mandatory vs volunteer upstaffing
Doug explains how their staffing system pushes out texts/emails and how, if needed, upstaffing becomes mandatory—especially when conditions demand it.

41:10 – EOC + finance side (FEMA reimbursement)
Brian outlines how disaster declarations and documentation flow through local/state/federal layers and why accurate documentation is essential for:

• overtime reimbursement

• resource requests

• budget survival after repeated disasters
  He also notes current conversations around FEMA process changes due to bureaucratic delays.

49:20 – West Coast comparison: wildfire “upstaffing” via pre-positioning
Matt explains how CA handles wildfire readiness: red flag pre-positioning, North Ops/South Ops strike team staging, OES resources, and “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation messaging.

50:50 – Post-incident notes (critical takeaway)
Brian recommends crews capture notes after each operational period to support post-incident critique and justify future staffing/tools.

Snail Mail (listener highlights)

Zach’s take on promotions
Stay at the level you’re passionate about. Promotion for title/pay increases risk when leadership lacks heart and preparation.

Colt’s question: “How do you lead with love riding backwards?”
Matt shares Pastor Joby Martin’s definition:

Love is my joy in the Lord expressed toward others at great expense to myself.

Calls to action

• Join Patreon: Rookie ($1) / Engineer ($2) for extra content + Turnout Drill opportunities

• Submit a Moment of Silence request: email coolfireman @ gmail.com

• Snail Mail: drop comments/questions on Spotify—your message may be featured

• Stay engaged: support legislative efforts affecting firefighter safety, cancer research, and operational risk

The crew comes in hot (volume, chaos, and immediate regret from anyone driving to work) and rolls straight into classic Cool Fireman banter—plus an update on Doug being on a kid-free Disney cruise doing “arts and crafts” (which may or may not be locked behind the Engineer Tier paywall 😂). From there, the guys hit housekeeping: Patreon, merch, sponsors, and giveaways, then pivot into the main conversation—promotions in the fire service.

They break down the real reasons people promote (and the wrong ones), why leadership exists at every rank, and how transparency and trust from chiefs/officers can shape culture and reduce frustration. The episode closes with a strong call to action about the one character trait you value most in an officer, a Snail Mail segment featuring standout listener comments, a moment of silence, and the best outro in the business… Roll Gigi 🎤⬇️

Highlights & Key Moments

Cold Open Chaos (aka “Not on Mars!”)

• Immediate high-volume intro and rapid fire jokes.

• Doug update: Disney cruise with no kids, plus the legend of Doug’s “arts and crafts.”

  
  

  Housekeeping

• Patreon shout: Engineer Tier teased for behind-the-scenes content (including Doug cruise content).

• Giveaways teased (Engineer Tier perks + fire service goodies).

• Merch reminder: Still live through Notorious Fire (and somehow still too exclusive for the hosts to own).

  
  

  Sponsors

• The Burn Box (monthly gear + training aids + a recipe feature)

• Unkie Seasoning (Elizabeth Salt / Chipotle love, and shoutouts to supporters)

Main Topic — Promotions & Leadership in the Fire Service

Core question:
Should you keep climbing the ladder… or is it totally fine to stay a firefighter (or stay where you are)?

Big Takeaways

• Promoting for title or pay alone = bad foundation.
  Unkie’s take: the best reason to promote is to lead.

• Leadership ≠ rank.
  Brian’s point: there are “leaders” everywhere, but “leadership” is different—and can be positive or negative depending on intent and character.

• Don’t promote the best “widget maker” just because they’re good at the job.
  Sometimes the best move is to keep great firefighters right where they are for effectiveness and culture.

• Readiness matters.
  Freddy pushes back on “I’m up next because seniority” promotions—if you haven’t put in the work, it can be dangerous.

• Transparency builds trust.
  Brian’s argument: chiefs and officers can reduce frustration by explaining the “why” behind decisions—budget, legal requirements, policy changes, and more.

• But… some chiefs can’t take feedback.
  Freddy points out a real flaw: if leadership takes feedback personally, “open dialogue” becomes punishment and resentment.

  
  

  Culture Note

• Respect the rank, but trust is earned—Matt’s view: you can respect position without automatically trusting the person.

Call to Action

In the comments:
Drop ONE word that describes the character trait you value most in an officer.
Examples: Trust. Transparency. Humility. Consistency. Accountability. Communication.

Snail Mail Highlights

• Zach is back with another heater:

  • No social media

  • Functional strength + longevity

  • Daily journaling + Bible/prayer with his wife

  • Being slow to speak and intentional with words

• Steven Weber confirms pronunciation (short “e” like “grill”) and shares his lifestyle goal: cut soda/sweets + get back to early gym mornings.

• Courtney focuses on: more water, journaling, building muscle, and finding a therapist.

• Continued love for the What3Words discussion and “word of the year” accountability.

Moment of Silence

The crew closes with a moment of silence for the brothers and sisters lost over the last week.

Outro Celebrity Moment

Gigi joins at the end (dance life + birthday shoutout), then delivers the iconic closer with a mic drop energy:
“ROLL GIGI!” 🎤⬇️

The guys kick things off with some classic pre-show chaos (storms, Starlink, “Wicked” talk, hay and horses) before shifting into a real conversation about health and fitness in the fire service. Freddy frames it as a “new year” topic—less about resolutions and more about lifestyle consistency—and Matt shares his on-duty heart attack story as a reminder that being “in shape” doesn’t automatically equal being protected. They dig into nutrition habits, added sugar, energy drinks, sleep, accountability apps, and the idea that the goal isn’t a number on the scale—it’s being capable on the worst call of your career.

Key Topics & Moments

Weather, Starlink, and Farm Life

• Wind gusts, Starlink shifting in the yard, and the dream of stable internet for streaming youth sports.

• Doug’s day includes hay pickup and a farrier visit (hoof care)—Matt learns a new word.

  
  

  Quick Shoutout

• Happy Birthday to “GG” (the outro celebrity) — the crew encourages listeners to comment birthday wishes.

  
  

  Patreon Updates

• The crew thanks new and ongoing Patreon supporters and starts a “virtual turnout drill” segment:

  • Subscriber spotlight questions like sunrise vs sunset, favorite sandwich, and bucket list.

• Merch store is still live, with the tease that Patreon members may get exclusive items.

  
  

  Sponsors

• Unkie’s Seasoning

• Tom / The Burnbox (including mention of their latest box and the “calendar”)

Main Topic — Fitness, Diet, and Being Ready

Freddy sets the tone: our job isn’t compatible with “fitness rollercoasters.” Staying ready matters because you never know which run will test you.

Matt’s On-Duty Heart Attack (Oct 18, 2022)

• Matt shares he had a heart attack on duty with no warning signs, despite being active and in good shape.

• He believes his fitness level helped him survive and recover.

• He talks about how it changed his mindset around diet, sugar, lifestyle, and annual health checkups.

• He mentions deeper cholesterol metrics like ApoB and Lp(a) and encourages listeners to talk with their cardiologist—especially with family history.

  
  

  The “Skinny but Unhealthy” Trap

• Matt describes being the “fattest skinny guy you ever met” (lots of sugar, sweets, and junk).

• Discussion of insulin resistance as something worth learning about and paying attention to.

  
  

  Freddy’s Reset: Sleep, Energy Drinks, Added Sugar

• Freddy shares his own weight swings and what derailed him: school schedules, stress, poor sleep, energy drinks.

• He’s rebuilding with:

  • 30 minutes of daily movement

  • Zone 2 cardio

  • Cutting energy drinks and soda

  • Reducing added sugars

  • Using protein powder in coffee as a “mocha” hack

  • Daily pushups + squats challenge (and the struggle of wanting instant results)

    
    

    Doug’s Take: Whole Foods > Processed Foods

• Doug leans into the “back to basics” approach:

  • More whole foods, fewer lab-made processed foods

  • Water over soda

  • Black coffee and cutting sugar where possible

• He gives a nod to Megan at RescueRD as a resource for nutrition guidance (and suggests having her back on).

  Apps & Tools Mentioned

• Bevel (Freddy): fitness tracking, calories/macros, accountability

• MyFitnessPal (Freddy): previous tracker

• Yuka (Matt): barcode scanner that rates foods and highlights additives/ingredients

• Encouragement to take advantage of wellness programs: labs, ECG, treadmill, etc.

  
  

  Snail Mail Highlights

• Listener Zach shares his 2026 word(s): Seek and Trust (faith, academy prep, baby #3, trusting the process).

• Colt shares appreciation for the ICS conversation and downloads What3Words after the episode.

  
  

  Quotes to Pull for Clips

• “This job isn’t compatible with rollercoasters. You’ve gotta stay ready.”

• “Make it a lifestyle. If you stop, you feel off.”

• “I was the fattest skinny guy you ever met.”

• “If you’ve got family history—get a cardiologist. Once a year.”

• “You were treating the monitor, not the patient.”

Call to Action

What lifestyle change are you making in 2026?
Not a “resolution”—a real, achievable shift that makes you better for your department, your family, and yourself.

Drop yours in the comments.

In This Episode

End-of-year check-in, burnout vs bandwidth, and a listener-requested deep dive on ICS — plus a What3Words tangent (because of course) and a big 2026 announcement from Brian.

The crew rolls into the final stretch of 2025 running on fumes: Brian’s voice is cooked, Adam’s been sick for weeks, Doug is… at the emergency vet because a dog ate a sock (classic). The guys talk holiday reality, emotional bandwidth, and how hard it is to truly “shut off” work.

Then a listener (Jeff) hits them with a solid request: let’s talk ICS — from small incidents to big ones, staffing, comms, unified command, and why the chain-of-command matters even when it feels inconvenient.

Matt ties it into his own real-world lesson: don’t bypass your assignment / supervisor just because the Division is “right there.” ICS isn’t just for the person talking on the radio — it’s for the whole system listening.

Matt also breaks down What3Words (and how it helps with remote rescues and wildland ops), Adam talks unified command challenges, and Brian sets the record straight on how volunteer departments handle ICS on the East Coast.

And then… Brian drops the news: a new North Carolina fire-service podcast is officially live.

Key Topics

• End-of-year fatigue + why the “heaviness” of late December is real

• Emotional bandwidth and the struggle of checking work email nonstop

• Housekeeping: Patreon, merch, and what the team needs to grow it

• Moment of silence for fallen first responders

• Thoughts & prayers for Sam from Fire Tech and his dog battling Lyme disease

• Listener request from Jeff: Tabletop discussion on ICS

• Why ICS works best when you don’t skip the chain

• Unified command realities with fire/EMS/law (and why it breaks down)

• Volunteer vs career: ICS isn’t a staffing issue — it’s a culture & training issue

• Wildland fire ICS: strike teams, divisions, branches, briefings, and why it scales

• What3Words + Avenza maps for remote rescue location accuracy

• Call to action: Rate ICS in your area from 0–10

• Big news: Brian launches “Carolina Fire Watch” (NC-only fire service show)

  
  

  Quote-Worthy Moments

• “I hate that little red dot with the number in it.”

• “ICS can expand and retract… and that’s the beauty of it.”

• “Inspect what you expect.”

• “If you allow agencies to respond who won’t do ICS… you’re assuming liability.”

Call To Action

🚨 On a scale of 0–10, how well does ICS actually work in your area today?
Drop your number + why (and keep it respectful — don’t name departments).

Sponsors

• Unkie’s Seasoning – go grab the goods and support the family

• The Burn Box (Tom) – monthly firehouse gear, tools, and surprises

  
  

  
  

  Community / Snail Mail Shoutouts

• Big love to Rhett (longtime listener, age 6) — and yes… the “Sorry Rhett” shirt is coming.

• Comments of the week included gift-giving as a captain/crew leader and a bunch of holiday love.

Big Announcement

🎙️ Brian launched a North Carolina-only fire service podcast:
“Carolina Fire Watch” — in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters Association, built for the ~56,000 firefighters across NC. Monthly episodes, recorded today, and inspired by the community and conversations coming out of SAFRE + listeners like Jeff.

The crew rings in the New Year with laughs, real talk, and a full reset for 2026. From Unkie’s wild coin story (and the infamous “goats” detail) to a heartfelt moment of silence, this episode hits the perfect mix of firehouse humor and purposeful reflection. Then the guys revisit their 2025 “Word of the Year,” share what worked (and what didn’t), and lay down their 2026 words with intentions they’re ready to live out.

• Unkie breaks down the coin mishap and the ABH ship firefighter history behind the design

• New Year’s perspective check: “We’re 25 years past Y2K…” 🤯

• Quick roster update: Doug’s out handling family life (staying “present” like he promised)

• Housekeeping: Patreon updates + listener engagement plans

• Sponsors shout-outs: Unkie’s Seasonings + The Burn Box

• A meaningful moment of silence honoring fallen firefighters and recognizing expanded cancer-related benefits for families

• The crew revisits 2025 “Words of the Year” and reflects honestly on growth, balance, and reality

• 2026 “Words of the Year” revealed: Prioritize. Step Up / Step Out. Consistency. Evaluate.

• Snail Mail: Listener Zach’s word “Seek,” plus questions about Unkie’s book coming to Audible and a shoutout to Job Town Tools

• “Success is forged in the fire of discipline…”

• “If you can make yourself 1% better every day… you’re way ahead of the game.”

• “Faith, family, then fire… not the other way around.”

• “It’s okay if the only thing you did this year was survive.”

• Brian: Accountability (and the ongoing struggle with balance + order of priorities)

• Unkie: Discipline (and a reminder that surviving the year counts)

• Matt: Study (growth as a captain, but learning the hard lesson: out of sight = out of mind)

• Freddy: Consistency (consistent effort, but also “consistently busy” — learning when to breathe)

• Brian: Prioritize (Faith → Family → Fire + health and fewer “yes” commitments)

• Unkie: Step Up / Step Out (ownership + leaving behind what no longer serves)

• Matt: Consistency (compound interest in knowledge, relationships, and leadership)

• Freddy: Evaluate (take a breath, assess bandwidth, and refocus on what matters)

• Zach (Spotify): Word = “Seek” — seeking God to be a better man, husband, friend, future firefighter, and healthier overall.

• Listener question: Will Unkie’s book be available on Audible? Answer: Yes (in progress / TBD details).

• Billy (Job Town Tools): “Bosses should absolutely get their guys a little something.” Mentions Crew Packs designed for exactly that.

• Unkie’s Seasonings

  • Garlic & Herb currently sold out (because y’all crushed it)

  • Hickory Smoke Salt / “Salty Fireman” still available

• The Burn Box

  • Monthly fire service gear box: gloves, hoods, tools, stickers, turnout bags, and more

Drop your Word for 2026 in the comments and tell us why. One word. Real intention. Let’s revisit it together a year from now.

In This EpisodeQuote-Worthy Moments2025 Words Recap2026 Words of the YearSnail Mail ShoutoutsSponsorsCall to Action