The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

New pieces of equipment come out all the time in the American Fire Service, but nothing has created as much interest as the HEN Nozzle in a long time. Not only has it been stirring interest but it is also endorsed by some very big names in the fire service. With the sheer number of questions I was receiving about the nozzle, I decided to have Ray on to talk about the nozzle, and his involvement with it. This is of course just one topic, and as always the audience took control and determined the direction of the show.

Joined on this episode by my friend and mentor, the one and only Brian Crush!!! This episode hade me super excited for this discussion. From his perspective on the current state of the fire service, to the future as he sees it. Of course we discussed Firefighter Rescue Survey and the data so far. How he feels about his newly constructed training facility and all the research he put into it over the years. And as usual... everything the audience threw our way!  What an awesome scrap!!!

Joined on this episode by Reginald McKnight to discuss all aspects of training especially when it comes to new recruits. We will deep dive into the challenges of training in todays world. How he goes about developing a training program. What they look for in instructors. Why training is important, how to develop and mold the probationary firefighter into the next generation of leaders. We discuss leadership, the next generation and purpose. Of course the audience took over like always and absolutely sent the best questions at Reggie, and he absolutely crushes the answers.  Enjoy a great Scrap!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Paul Shoemaker. Paul is passionate about Electric Vehicles and Lithium ion batteries! We go deep diving into considerations and concerns for this evolving aspect of our craft. Off gassing, UHSS components, the sheer amount of water we are using, and how we can be more effective.  And of course the audience had a ton of great questions that Paul crushed! This is a topic that everyone wants more information on and you do not want to miss this Scrap!

Joined on this episode by none other than my brother Bassel Ibrahim, to talk about one bad tour. Thinking outside the box. How to have a playbook, but remain flexible. Resiliency and taking on challenges. How to deal with crew rotation, especially when it is for positive reasons. How to develop a bench, and the difference between qualified and certified... it was amazing discussions, and that does not even begin to touch on everything the audience threw at Bassel and he crushed in answering! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only Frank Leeb. Many know him as the Deputy Chief of safety from the FDNY, I know him as a friend and mentor.  The timing of this show could not be better as he just released his debut book, the brand new "Cornerstones of Leadership on and off the fireground." We discuss the stories in the book, what brought it about, his philosophies on culture and leadership... and as always, the part that makes the Scrap so much fun, the audience questions and interactions. It was an amazing Scrap, enjoy!

Joined by my good friend Brian Richards to discuss the new generations of firefighters and how to engage and bring them on board.  We plan to deep dive into their perspective and why certain aspects that older generations take for granted seem foreign to them. It was an awesome and interesting discussion, especially when you throw in the audience and all of their questions. Enjoy a great perspective from a great dude.

Was very excited to have this conversation with Jeff Rothmeier— had a blast discussing his book that just came out this year: "Mastering the Craft." We discussed his military background and how that shaped the mindset of the book. His special operations background.  His studies in organizational culture and the power it has in an organization. The mentor that he sought out and how it impacted his teaching. Plus as always, everything that the audience threw our way! It was an amazing episode.

Joined on this episode by Hornet Fire training himself, Chief Jonah Smith. Super excited to talk about all things engine. Company/Chief Officer Leadership, we discuss Lou Holtz and the impact he had on Jonah. Then as much info as we could cram in about Firefighter Rescue Survey.  As always the best laid plans and topics were aided by the phenomenal audience.  Enjoy the Scrap!

Joined on this Episode by the one and only Clay Magee. We dove down rabbit holes on various firefighting topics including: Consistency in leadership, recognizing needs, not enforcing styles, the power of the mentor, imposter syndrome, the importance of helmet cams, and so much more. Not to mention, as always everything the audience threw at us!  It was a great Scrap!  

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