The Forward Firefighter

In this episode, I talk with Brooke Hushagen, a Forestry Technician at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ranger Station in Poynette, Wisconsin. Brooke shares her expertise on the various services the DNR provides, including fire protection.

Listen in as Brooke discusses wildland firefighting tactics, offers valuable advice, and recounts her experiences with memorable large fires and recent incidents.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Benjamen K. “Ben” Lauren, Captain at the Forsyth Township Fire Department in Upper Michigan. Ben was a respected firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 23 in the year 2020.  

Tune in to this podcast as I chat with Brandon Cory, who was beside Ben on that tragic day and shares Ben’s story. Learn about the importance of Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) and get valuable RIT training advice that departments can use.

Brandon is a second-generation firefighter and has been dedicated to the fire service since 2010. He began as a volunteer firefighter, working his way up to Lieutenant before leaving to pursue a full-time opportunity. Currently, he is a senior firefighter for the City of Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and serves as the training officer for the county's special rescue team.

Brandon is Michigan’s state lead advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. He has published articles on Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) for FireRescue1 and contributed a chapter to the book 30 Fires You Must Know. He has also taught at FireHouse Expo and other conferences nationwide.

In addition, Brandon is the Vice President of Great Lakes Hot, Michigan’s premier fire conference, and an instructor/cadre member of Build Your Culture. He holds an associate’s degree and various certifications in the fire and EMS fields from Michigan and Illinois.

Born and raised in the UP of Michigan, Brandon lives there with his wife Jamie and their daughter. He is passionate about training and helping others become the best firefighters they can be, while continually seeking his own professional and personal growth.

Nathan Olson is the Captain of Training for the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. A department member for just over 10 years, Captain Olson provides strong leadership skills gained through his military experience.

Captain Olson's military career began after high school in 1988 and continues today. After serving on active duty in Panama and California with the Army, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard serving predominantly in the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. During his time in the National Guard, Olson served a tour in Iraq in 2005, performing convoy security. He completed a second tour in Iraq in 2009 where he was the Company Commander of a unit responsible for overseeing detainee operations.

Through his training responsibilities, Captain Olson brings the same motivation and preparation to the fire service as he does in the military. "We must train so that we are always ready."

In this episode, I chat with Nathan Schneider, Assistant Chief of the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department. We discuss the department's makeup, the new fire station, and how its dive team started. Nathan also shares how they celebrated their 150th anniversary with a special video that doubles as a recruitment tool.

We also discuss a clever way the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department established a water supply system in a rural area during the Fox Valley Alfalfa Mill fire in September 2024.

In this episode, we are honored to have Chief Rudy Horist, a distinguished 42-year veteran of the fire service and the Chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District in Illinois. Recognized as the 2023 Chief of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chief Horist leads a dedicated team of 170 personnel in a combination department.

Join us as Chief Horist shares insights into his department’s operations and delves into the crucial aspects of officer development. Whether you’re an aspiring officer or currently serving in an officer role, this episode offers valuable guidance and inspiration from one of the most respected leaders in the field.

In this episode, I talk with Chris Klahn, President of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association. Have you heard about the new OSHA proposed Emergency Response Standard? Learn from Chris what these proposed standards could mean for your department. In this episode, you will also learn about the Montello Fire Department and the different work done by the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association. You will also hear Chris’s advice on recruitment and retention.

Chris has been a firefighter for the Montello Wisconsin Fire Department since 1985. He has experience in almost every position, and served 30 years as assistant chief. Chris is now retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) where he worked as a fire ranger.

Chief Joe Knitter is a 38-year veteran of the South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fire Department, where he served as Chief for the last 10 years. He is currently the Interim Fire Chief at the South Shore Fire Department, which protects the Villages of Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant in southeast Wisconsin.

Chief Knitter is renowned for his class, “Fighting Fires in Fast Food Restaurants” which he has presented at numerous locations, including FDIC. In this episode, Chief Knitter discusses what you need to know before responding to a restaurant fire in your community.

A cancer survivor, Chief Knitter is also very passionate about cancer prevention in the fire service. In this episode, hear his story and gain valuable advice for all firefighters.

Firefighter Fitness and The Safety Officer

Join us as we dive into the world of firefighter wellness with Roy Smalley, the Health and Safety Officer for the Mayville Wisconsin Fire Department and an EMT with Mayville EMS. With his dual expertise as a certified personal fitness trainer and stress management coach, Roy offers invaluable insights into the intersection of emergency response and physical well-being. This episode unpacks the critical role of a Health and Safety Officer and explores ways to improve firefighter fitness.

Dave Briggs is passionate about the effective use of a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).  In this episode, Dave goes into some TIC training topics that go above and beyond the fire academy. Dave is the Training Division Chief for the Wausau, Wisconsin Fire Department. He is an instructor for the Mid-State and Northcentral Technical Colleges, and he owns his own training company, Firefighter Training, Development, and Coaching LLC.

In this episode, Adam Barowy discusses the latest research projects about electric vehicle fires and lithium-ion batteries. Barowy is a Lead Research Engineer for the Underwriters’ Laboratory’s Fire Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI).