The Pipeman

The Pipeman Podcast sits down with Capt. (Ret.) Jay Comella, with the Oakland Fire Department (CA), for a wide-ranging conversation about the fire service, engine company operations, and the people and experiences that helped shape his career. Jay reflects on the 1999 LODD of Tracy Toomy, the profound impact it had on him, and how it shaped the direction of the Oakland Fire Department. He also shares stories from the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, including working alongside salty Vietnam veterans whose wartime experience translated to the fireground, allowing them to call in precision air tanker drops during the firefight.

Jay talks about attending firefighting lectures taught by Andy Fredericks at the burn center in New York to help raise funds for the center. It was through these lectures that Jay first met Andy, beginning a connection that would have a lasting influence on him. The conversation moves into Jay’s work developing hose and nozzle systems and his support for the UL fire attack studies, with much of his own work and experience closely connected to the body of knowledge reinforced by this research.

Jay also reflects on the influence of fire service legends Tom Brennan and Andy Fredericks, including The Book of Andy, Andy’s Father’s Day fire article, and the Rockland County memorial honoring his legacy. It’s a conversation rooted in fire service history, hard-earned experience, and the importance of understanding the “why” behind our operations while continuing to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

The Pipemen sit down with Mike Smith from FDNY Engine 48 to talk engine company culture, mentorship, and the traditions that shape good firemen. Mike shares what it’s like working in a house with such a strong history—including being part of the same company where the late Andy Fredericks once worked and left a lasting legacy on engine company operations.

Mike takes us inside the culture of Engine 48 and talks about the firefighters and officers who invested in him along the way. From mentorship and guidance to expectations and accountability, he shares how the people around him helped shape the fireman he is today—and why passing that knowledge on to the next generation remains such an important part of the fire service.

This is part 2 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mike Smith from FDNY Engine 48 to talk engine company culture, mentorship, and the traditions that shape good firemen. Mike shares what it’s like working in a house with such a strong history—including being part of the same company where the late Andy Fredericks once worked and left a lasting legacy on engine company operations.

Mike takes us inside the culture of Engine 48 and talks about the firefighters and officers who invested in him along the way. From mentorship and guidance to expectations and accountability, he shares how the people around him helped shape the fireman he is today—and why passing that knowledge on to the next generation remains such an important part of the fire service.

This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mark Carcamo, Colin Kelley, Cameron Monahan from the West Coast Offense.

The Pipeman podcast discuss with WCO what it takes to develop a seamless relationship with the truck company from an engine perspective. We dive into what coordinated ventilation really means and how to support vent teams during a roof member rescue operation as the engine. This conversation provides a framework for any engine company working alongside the truck on how to achieve a seamless relationship.

This is part 2 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mark Carcamo, Colin Kelley, Cameron Monahan from the West Coast Offense.

The Pipeman podcast discuss with WCO what it takes to develop a seamless relationship with the truck company from an engine perspective. We dive into what coordinated ventilation really means and how to support vent teams during a roof member rescue operation as the engine. This conversation provides a framework for any engine company working alongside the truck on how to achieve a seamless relationship.

This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Chief (Ret.) Dave McGrail from the Denver Fire Department.

In this podcast we take a look at engine and truck operations and how they continue to be shaped by the work of Chief McGrail, including The Great Debate. We discuss the impact Andy Fredericks had on the American fire service. We also discuss Andy’s writings such as Return of the Solid Stream and Little Drops of Water: 50 Years Later and his FDIC speech, “Don’t Worry About that Nozzle, Kid” that emphasized fundamentals, water application, and a disciplined strategy.

Chief McGrail discusses a few significant high-rise incidents in the American fire service - including One Meridian Plaza, Memphis and Houston NIOSH reports. Additionally, we talk about the Los Angeles First Interstate and San Francisco’s Butler wind-driven fire, all which continue to reinforce the need for strong standpipe, suppression, and high-rise tactics.

The Pipemen go deep with a discussion on standards like NFPA 13E (fire department operations in sprinklered buildings), NFPA 13R (residential sprinkler systems), and NFPA 14 (standpipes). All of these frame today’s best practices and help connect the lessons of the past to the operational readiness demanded today.

The Pipemen sit down with Captain (Ret.) Daryl Liggins from the Oakland Fire Department. Daryl shares his perspective on going from a suburban department to a busy urban fire department. He also discusses the cultural and equipment changes following a LODD within his department and the struggle they had changing from preconnected lines to bulk beds.

The Pipemen sit down with Chief Erich Roden who recently retired from the Milwaukee Fire Department. Erich shares his perspective from the nozzle and the chief. Chief Roden is truly an ambassador of Andy Fredricks and shares what it was like getting to know and learn from him. Chief Roden also shares his experiences with UL and fighting fires in the unique area of Milwaukee.

The Pipemen sit down with Greg Redmond from the St. Louis Fire Department. Greg talks about the fire attack challenges in a department where engines and trucks (quints) frequently switch roles.

The Pipemen sit down with Adam Maiers, a fellow Brothers in Battle instructor. Adam talks about some of his memorable fires he has learned from and dives into how he trains. Adam also tells about his views on how we can improve live fire training.