The Cool Fireman Podcast

This week’s episode is packed full of real firehouse talk—from wild call stories to mental health, continuing education, and the one universal truth in the fire service:
👉 If you don’t use it, you lose it.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• 🚑 Calls Gone Sideways – From patients claiming they’ll swallow their tongue to an actual arm amputation call, the crew breaks down how dispatch info doesn't always match the scene.

• 💥 Training Talk – Why there are strict EMS training requirements, but not enough fireground certification standards.

• 🧠 Mental Health in the Fire Service – Matt and the crew respond to a listener's message about handling "the messy stuff" (blood, vomit, trauma).

• 🪓 Auto Extrication & Rope Drills – Real training setups with junk cars, ladders, rope bags, and more.

• ✉️ Snail Mail Returns! – Shoutout to Morrow CP and other listeners who chimed in with thoughtful questions and firehouse love.

• 🐶 Meet Millie – Doug introduces us to his dog Millie (who has no front teeth and a crooked tongue, and is adorable).

💬 Key Moments:

• "Don't criticize a fire you weren’t on." – A deep dive into armchair quarterbacking and post-call debriefs.

• “Smells like sepsis.” – The entire crew bonds over the unmistakable smell of nursing homes.

• “Get creative with your training.” – Matt shares how a strip of duct tape turned a middle school wall into a rescue drill site.

• "Always look for another way." – Unkie challenges listeners to go beyond “we’ve always done it this way.”

🎧 Also in This Episode:

• Burn Box shoutouts

• Unkie’s Cajun Chicken & Rice recipe

• Jokes about Doug’s “glizzy microphone”

• CPR stories, training standards, and big-city EMS setups

• The OODA Loop explained (and roasted)

📬 Snail Mail Is OPEN!
Got a question, comment, or funny firehouse story? Drop it on Spotify, Instagram, or email—we might read it next week.

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple, Amazon & YouTube
📲 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your crew.

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In this episode, Matt and Brian dive deep into some of the challenges (and hilarious moments) happening both in and out of the firehouse. From Matt’s code 3 siren strategy to Brian’s communication fatigue, this one’s got a little bit of everything: loud opinions, soft wisdom, and yes... more Snail Mail.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• 🚨 Driving Code 3: Matt shares his take on how and why sirens should be used—air horns included

• 🧠 Leadership, Followership & Informal Influence – What role do you play in the firehouse?

• 📲 Comment Culture & Keyboard Commanders – A look at how feedback lands in the fire service, both online and in person

• 📬 Snail Mail Returns! Featuring real listener responses, debates on informal leadership, stew showdowns, and a surprise shoutout

• 💬 Communication in an “over-communicated world” — why tone matters more than ever

• 🧠 “Don’t criticize the fire you didn’t fight.” – A real convo on armchair quarterbacking & healthy critique

  Frank Viscuso - https://www.tiktok.com/@frank_viscuso/video/7542851995170868494?lang=en

• 🧂 Food talk! Unki Seasoning + Blackstone pasta gets a highlight

• 👕 Burn Box shoutout + FD Collectors Club faves

• 💛 Moment of Silence for responders injured or lost in the line of duty

💡 Key Themes:

• 🚒 Don’t confuse noise for leadership – real influence starts with humility

• 🧠 Effective communication is a skill—and a responsibility in the firehouse

• 🎧 Social media isn’t always the kitchen table—but it can be

• 🙌 Be present, be positive, and bring the energy—especially if you're new to the job

🎧 Now Streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Apple & Amazon
💬 Got thoughts or questions? Drop them in the comments or send us a message for Snail Mail – we might read yours next!

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode122 #SnailMailReturns #FireServiceLeadership #Code3Driving #KitchenTableTalk #WellSaid #AirHornDebate #FirefighterCommunication #BurnBoxLove #UnkiSeasoning #MomentOfSilence #BrotherhoodStrong

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In this jam-packed episode, the crew reunites for a full debrief of their time at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh. From firehouse food to leadership presentations, parlay betting, bagpipes, and some questionable milk habits—this one’s got it all.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• 🎰 Doug explains parlays to a very confused Brian

• 🧂 Unki Seasoning gets love from Brightleaf Hot Dogs (yes, really)

• 🎶 NEW SEGMENT ALERT: SNAIL MAIL makes its official debut—with a jingle and hilarious listener comments (sorry, Becky)

• 🎤 Doug delivers his best Trump impression… mid-episode

• 🚨 A heartfelt moment of silence for the 52 line-of-duty deaths so far in 2025

• 🥘 Doug’s passionate defense of real Brunswick stew (do not argue)

• 🔥 Leadership & followership: Matt and Brian reflect on their SAFRE presentation, “What About Tomorrow?”

• 🥁 The emotional power of pipes and drums—and why they still stop us in our tracks

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Leadership starts with purpose—but followership is just as vital

• The fire service community is about helping, not competing

• There’s no comfort in greatness—step into hard things and grow

• Sometimes you just need to prank your spouse with the wrong broth

• And yes… Brunswick stew must be thick enough to stand a paddle in it

🎧 Now Streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Apple & Amazon
📬 Got a question or comment? Send us some Snail Mail and you might hear it read live next week!

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #SAFRE2025 #LeadershipAndFollowership #SnailMailSegment #PipesAndDrums #FireServiceCommunity #WellSaid #FirehouseTalk #FirefighterBrotherhood #BrunswickStewDebate #MomentOfSilence #FireConferenceRecap #NoComfortInGreatness

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This week, the crew is back at the kitchen table – and while Brian is away, Matt, Doug, and Unkie dive deep into what firemen talk about inside the engine, from banter to serious pre-call game plans.

We kick things off with a little parlay talk (Doug’s gambling, not the French kind), some seasoning chat (support UnkieSeasoning.com!), and housekeeping. But the real heat comes when we get into what happens when the tones drop.

In This Episode:

• 🚒 What firefighters really talk about in the engine

• 🧠 The importance of planning en route and reviewing game plans

• 🧯 First five minutes: why they matter more than anything

• 🔥 Doug’s recent structure fire run – what went right, how the setup worked, and lessons learned

• 🤝 Why experience builds trust – and how the phrase “Go to work” sets the tone

• 💪 Train more, think ahead, work smoother

• 😂 Mailbag (aka Snail Mail) brings in some killer food tips and Spotify love

• ✈️ A surprising detour into aerodynamics, whiskey rankings, and a little Payne Stewart nostalgia

• 🎧 Shout-outs to Rhett, Becky, and the FD Collectors Club

This is one of those episodes that blends laughs with legit insight. Whether you're on your first shift or your last year, this one will hit home.

🎙️ Quote of the Week:
“Our job’s not that hard… but the first five minutes of every call are everything.” – Matt

📌 Subscribe, comment, and tell Becky she’s slacking!
🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode120 #FireEngineTalk #FirefighterTraining #GoToWork #FirstFiveMinutes #UnkieSeasoning #FDCollectorsClub #FireServiceCulture #KitchenTableTalk #MomentOfSilence

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This week, it’s just Brian and Adam (aka Unki) holding down The Cool Fireman Podcast kitchen table while Doug and Matt are on duty. The topic? Food—our favorite firehouse meals, family go-tos, recipe wins, and even a few epic fails.

Brian shares highlights from a year of his recipes featured in the Burn Box and announces that Unki will be taking over as the Burn Box recipe guy for the next 12 months. The two swap their top three dishes loved at home and in the firehouse, discuss cooking techniques for brisket, pork butt, breakfast spreads, and easy griddle favorites, and debate everything from smash burgers to fat caps.

You’ll also hear:

• Brisket prep, smoking tips, and rest time debates.

• Why pork butt might be the most versatile cut for the firehouse table.

• The beauty (and danger) of breakfast casseroles and quiches.

• Unique dishes like easy cheesy shrimp sandwiches and quesadillas for a crowd.

• Hamloaf gone wrong, alligator done right, and cow tongue redemption.

• Unexpected flavor combos that actually work—yes, even cheese whiz & pico on a hot dog.

Call to Action:
Drop a comment with your firehouse favorite and your family’s go-to dinner. Bonus points if it’s something quick, affordable, and firehouse-friendly.

Sponsors:
🔥 Unki’s Seasoning – Elevate your meals with seasoning blends that work for home and the firehouse.
🔥 Burn Box – This month’s FD Collector’s Club features another exclusive shirt and gear drop.

#FirehouseCooking #FirefighterLife #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceCulture #BurnBox

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The Cool Fireman Podcast crew is together in person at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh, NC! This year’s special guest is keynote speaker Sam Massa, founder of FireTech and HiViz LED Lighting, back for another powerful conversation one year after his first appearance.

We dive into Sam’s incredible journey—from small beginnings and a failed business to dominating the fire apparatus lighting market and speaking on the main stage. Sam shares lessons on leadership, integrity, resilience, and why putting the customer first is at the heart of FireTech’s success.

You’ll hear stories from his early days in biofuels, the “lost shipment” UPS hustle, challenging industry norms (like the FireTech Brow Light), and how courage, commitment, and community guide his work. The crew also talks about the importance of legacy, not giving up, and asking “why” in the fire service.

In This Episode:

• Live from SAFRE 2025 – the energy, the people, and the North Carolina fire service community.

• Sam Massa’s path from side hustles to FireTech industry leadership.

• Lessons learned from business failure and how they shaped a customer-first approach.

• Why asking “why” can change the fire service (and lead to better fire truck designs).

• Balancing growth, inventory, and staying lean in a competitive market.

• The three C’s: Courage, Commitment, Community.

• How business can be a tool for good in the fire service.

If you’ve ever wanted insight into innovation in the fire industry, how to build something from the ground up, and how to keep integrity at the forefront, this is an episode you can’t miss.

🎧 Listen now – and check out Sam’s work at FireTech and join the FireTech Squad on Facebook for more.

#SAFRE #FireTech #FirefighterPodcast #FireServiceLeadership #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceInnovation

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In this episode, the crew sits down to unpack one of the most foundational questions in the fire service:
What does it really mean to be a fireman?

Through stories, experiences, and a whole lot of heart, the guys dive into the core values of the job and what separates the patch from the purpose.

🔥 This Week’s Topics Include:

• Why service to others is at the center of the fire service

• The difference between having the job and living the calling

• How gratitude, humility, and pride shape a fireman’s mindset

• What it takes to earn the title, not just wear the uniform

💬 Roundtable Reflections:

• Matt shares why serving others is a pillar of leadership and fulfillment

• Doug reflects on how the title of fireman is earned through action

• Brian talks about staying grounded in purpose throughout your career

• Freddy discusses the role of legacy, mentorship, and kitchen table culture

🧯 Key Takeaways:

• Firefighting is a blue collar craft with white-hot impact

• Purpose > position — your actions define your influence

• It’s not about how many fires you’ve been to, it’s about how you show up every day

🗣️ “Well said.”

📢 CALL TO ACTION:
What does being a fireman mean to you?
Tag us, comment, or share your take—we want to hear it.

🚨 New episode drops every Friday!
🎧 Available on Spotify & YouTube

Thanks for listening to Episode 117 – and for continuing to do the job for the right reasons.

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In this two-man show, Matt and Brian dive deep into firehouse pride, station maintenance, and how blue-collar skills and project work have changed in the fire service over the years.

🛠️ This Week’s Topics Include:

• Why today’s firefighters don’t fix stuff like they used to (and should they?)

• The value of trades in the firehouse—and why painting a wall matters

• Old-school camaraderie vs. modern-day burnout

• A deep dive into post-shift culture then vs. now: helping each other build decks, cut lawns, and pour concrete

• How call volume, liability, and policies have changed how we maintain our stations

• Can AI ever replace a good firehouse handyman? (Hint: No)

• The return of the skilled trades and why they matter more than ever

🔥 Brian shares his wild ride at the Blackstone Social Summit, including:

• Cooking under pressure—literally

• Getting a bell and a McDonald's coffee

• How drippy, sexy eggs made for a fireground-style kitchen scramble

• Behind the scenes of content creation and collaboration with Blackstone Griddle Crew

💪 Plus:

• Matt talks about greasing his RV bearings for the first time—fireman pride at work!

• Brian opens up about the evolution of his career and why he believes we need to bring back ownership, pride, and problem-solving in every aspect of the fire service

• A real talk moment on burnout, side gigs, and what our schedules look like today vs. 20 years ago

📢 Shoutouts:

• 🎉 Rhett (age 6) – Our youngest listener! Thanks for riding with us!

• 💬 Courtney Jordan, Tanner, and Colt – Thanks for your Spotify feedback!

• 👕 FAT Apparel & The Salty Fireman – Check out the combo shirt and solo cup deal!

• 🧂Unkie’s Seasoning – Proud sponsor and firehouse favorite (even Matt’s mom’s trailer is stocked)

🧯 Sponsor Highlights:

• Unkie’s Seasoning

• Burn Box & FD Collector’s Club – July’s box includes sweet North Carolina swag!

🧠 Moment of Silence – Never forgotten. Always honored.
🗣️ “Well said.”

👨‍🏫 Leadership Class Reminder:
Catch Matt and Brian at SAFRE in Raleigh, NC on August 8th for their leadership workshop. Come say hi, bring your trade skills, and let’s talk shop.

📲 CALL TO ACTION:
We want to hear from YOU:

• Do you still take on station projects?

• What trades do you bring to the fire service?

• What’s your department’s approach to station maintenance?

Drop your comments on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or wherever you get your fire content. 💬

👨‍🚒 Subscribe & Support the Brotherhood:
Like, comment, and subscribe to help grow this awesome fire service community. You’re the reason we’re climbing the charts. Let’s keep it going.

🎧 Available now in video on Spotify & YouTube.

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This week, the boys are hot, humid, and hilariously unfiltered. Brian, Doug, and Unkie talk sweat in places God didn’t intend and why the kitchen table is the sacred place in the firehouse for solving problems (and sharing a little too much).

They also get real about peer support, HR misunderstandings of firefighter humor, and remembering the late Corey Orrell with a moment of silence.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

✅ Sweating in Places You Didn't Know Existed
– It’s hot and humid – and no one is safe from swamp ass
– Unkie forgot to turn on the AC before recording

✅ Housekeeping & Shoutouts
– Burn Box update: coins are shipping
– FD Collectors Club – why the coins are always worth the wait
– Unkie Seasoning July specials

✅ Markets, Merch & SAFRE Conference Plans
– Unkie’s market updates
– New sampler boxes and combo deals dropping
– Planning for the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in Raleigh, NC

✅ Moment of Silence
– Remembering Corey Orrell, a Camp Lejeune firefighter who passed from cancer
– His legacy of writing future birthday cards for his kids

✅ Brian’s Reflection on Service
– Brian shares why he loves creating content and serving others
– Lessons from the Blackstone Griddle Crew Social Summit
– The idea that cooking (and content creation) is about serving

✅ The Sacred Firehouse Table
– Why the kitchen table is the heart of the firehouse
– Solving problems big and small, from marriages to mechanic issues
– The judgment-free zone for venting, complaining, and busting chops

✅ Funny (and NSFW) Firehouse Stories
– Oversharing confessions that earned permanent nicknames
– The Tupperware poop sample fiasco
– The “lawn mower pull start” bedroom story

✅ Why the Table Matters for Mental Health
– Peer support conversations and safe spaces
– Chief visits around the table to hear the real issues
– Firehouse culture, gallows humor, and HR misunderstandings

✅ Call to Action for Listeners:
– Where does your crew gather to solve problems?
– What’s the biggest or most meaningful problem you’ve solved at the table?
– Ever overshare and regret it? Share your story!

⭐️ Connect with Us:

👉 Email: [email protected]

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Welcome back to The Cool Fireman Podcast! In this episode, Freddie makes his glorious return to the mic—and it’s pure gold from the jump.

✅ What’s Inside This Episode:

👨‍🚒 Freddie’s Return
• The crew celebrates Freddie’s comeback (with very gentle Canadian detention jokes)
• The usual banter—gray mustache tips, PB&J wisdom, and why Unkie’s Seasoning is the gift for every firehouse cook

🔥 Sponsor Shoutouts
• Unkie Seasoning – Get your grill game right. Garlic & Herb? Chipotle? They love you back.
• The Burn Box – Doug gives a top-tier unboxing of this month’s firefighter-themed goodies, including their all-in-one koozie/tumbler (with a built-in bottle opener!).

🌊 Special Assignments & 4th of July Staffing
• How different departments prep for fireworks, floods, and wild weather
• Real talk about regional and state-level rescue teams: USAR, Swiftwater, HazMat, Tech Rescue
• The truth about upstaffing for fireworks shows and population booms

⚠️ Texas Flash Flood Disaster
• Discussing the devastating flash floods that hit kids' camps in Texas
• The challenges of sudden water rise, rescues, and National Guard deployments
• Real-time reflections on how fast tragedy can hit

🚑 Firehouse Culture: Safety and Situational Awareness
• The Idaho firefighter ambush tragedy: why situational awareness matters
• Wearing ballistic vests on calls—why more departments are investing in them
• How past tragedies shaped incident command, response protocols, and safety policies

🎯 Pro Tips for New Firefighters
• How to pick a department that offers specialized teams (USAR, HazMat, Swiftwater)
• What to ask in interviews—don’t just say "No questions"!
• The value of station visits and learning from every experience

🕯️ Moment of Silence
• The crew pauses to honor victims of the Texas disaster, fallen firefighters, and those lost in the line of duty.

👥 Callouts & Community
• Big thanks to listeners who comment, share, and help the podcast grow.
• The team discusses the importance of spreading awareness and supporting fundraisers.

🎙️ Join the Conversation!
✔️ Drop a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
✔️ Ask us your firefighter career questions—we’ll answer them on air.
✔️ Help us grow by sharing, rating, and reviewing.

🔥 Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Watch on YouTube!
👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for behind-the-scenes banter, gear unboxings, and more firehouse stories.

firefighting, Texas floods, firefighter safety, emergency response, podcast, fire department, community service, special assignments, interview tips, firefighter training

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