The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Joined on this episode by the one and only Lee Forshner. Been trying to make this one happen for a while, and was able to do so this week because of a short notice cancelation.  It was a heavy Scrap as we discussed his journey and the challenges that he faced and overcame along the way.  Mental toughness and adversity was on the agenda, as well as a few beautiful questions from the audience. 

Back to back, a double-header!  Firefighter Mayday Survey talk with one of the firefighters I love the most. We deep dive into the project that is launching soon, the Firefighter Mayday Survey.  We will talk about Don Abbot and Project Mayday, its connection to this project as well as every way that you, the American Fire service can get involved. Of course, we planned for and expected the audience to show up with their awesome questions.

Joined by one of my favorite people on the planet, the incomparable Andy Starnes. We talk about TIC's and the fire service, it is old technology, so why are we so ill-versed in its use! Thermal Imaging and search. Firefighters and disorientation and the role of the TIC.  Of course with Andy you can always expect a dose of the truth about life, relationships and the job. As always our best laid plans get beautifully waylaid by the phenomenal questions form the audience, and Andy crushes each and every one. 

Joined on this episode by the incomparable Steve Shaw! We plan to talk about soap and saws as well as South Florida forcible entry versus the rest of the country. Family in the fire service. Sharing a firehouse with strong personalities and making it work as well as training, training and training.  Of course the best laid plans are always wonderfully derailed by the fantastic questions of the audience.

Joined by the one and only Mitch Huner.  We discuss the Fire Service infatuation with doing more with less. Adapt and overcome, and why we rely on it. The resulting economics and lack of tool versatility. Challenges of manufacturing in USA, and supporting firefighter owned businesses. We touch on the beast of cancer and of course everything and anything the audience threw at us!  It was an amazing Scrap. 

Joined once more by one of my favorite firefighters, and one of my favorite guests, the one and only Chief Mike Lombardo!  We discuss... whatever he wanted to talk about...and it was awesome. He started by talking about two impactful LODD's from Buffalo while he was there... and how that applied to his approach to training.  As always the audience ultimately determined the direction when they ask their beautiful questions.  

Joined on this episode by Frank Leeb and Billy Goldfeder to discuss their new book "30 Fires You Must Know".  In this Mega Scrap, Chief Colleen Walz and Chief Randy McGregor break down the fires that they were a part of. 
it was an amazing Scrap, and as always the awesome questions that the audience asked added to the show! 

Joined on this episode by none other than the one and only Captain Dale Jenkins, and I was fired up for this one!  We planned to discuss the changes in the fire service both good and bad over the decades.  What we are getting right and what we can improve upon. The importance of drilling, and how much depends on your mindset towards drills. The best place that firefighters can find a helping hand. Butt-pucker factor, especially in regards to ventilation. What it means to be a hypocrite in the fire service. Of course our best laid plans are always controlled by the amazing questions of the audience and this one was no exception.  Great Scrap!!

The return of the one and only Justin McWilliams! I was looking forward to all that we planned to talk about and was not disappointed! The first due engine, the priority of the first line, reports of victims. Helmet cams: editing, posting & commenting. Textbooks! Social Media vs. phone call vs. face to face. Lessons from instructing, the impact of decision makers in your organization, and of course the caveat always holds... the audience is who actually determines the rabbit holes that we deep dive into! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only Erich Roden, super excited for the conversation and the topics. We talk about a tale of two firehouses, Engine Company  Operations, Fireground Operations from the chief officer's perspective, diving into data... and of course none of this includes all of the great questions that the live audience always throws at us!