On this episode of TNF – Traditions on Tap Podcast, we sit down with Dave Connors, a 26-year veteran of the fire service whose career has taken him from the firehouse to classrooms across North America — and even into the world of NASCAR.

Dave has spent the past 10 years as a full-time firefighter with Oakville Fire Department, where he also serves as an On-Shift Instructor specializing in Auto Extrication and Hazardous Materials. But his passion for technical rescue and vehicle extrication extends far beyond his regular shift.

Dave is the Owner/Operator of Full Flex Auto Ex and has worked as an Extrication Specialist with M&L Supply since 2019, bringing hands-on knowledge, equipment expertise, and real-world experience to firefighters and rescue teams.

For the past 18 years, Dave has also served as a Lead Instructor with Firestar Services, travelling throughout Canada and the United States teaching firefighters, sharing lessons learned, and helping crews sharpen their skills when it comes to vehicle rescue and extrication.

His experience also extends into the world of motorsports. Dave serves as an Extrication Specialist for NASCAR and has spent an incredible 20 years with Michigan International Speedway Fire, working in an environment where speed, precision, teamwork, and preparation are everything.

Dave is also a proud True North F.O.O.L.S. member and a Petrolia boy through and through — and, as anyone who knows him will tell you, an all-around nice guy.

Join us as we talk about 26 years in the fire service, the evolution of auto extrication, teaching firefighters across North America, motorsports rescue, NASCAR, leadership, training, brotherhood, and the experiences and traditions that have shaped Dave throughout his career.

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:

This Episode Sponsor is Pitman Safety Solutions, visit them for Health & Safety, Firefighting Training and consulting. www.pitmanindustries.com

@northernhydrate
Use our discount code TRUENORTHFOOLS10 for 10% off

@pitmansafetysolutions

@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

TRAIN. SHARE. PASS IT ON.

LONG LIVE THE FOOLS

On this episode of TNF- Traditions on Tap Podcast, we join the True North FOOLS as we bring Traditions on Tap to the floor of the Smoke is Showing Conference, sitting down with instructors, guests, and FOOLS members from across the fire service for conversations on tradition, training, brotherhood, and the culture that keeps the job alive.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors for making these interviews and conversations possible: Mercedes Textiles, Municipal Equipment and Trevor Furgason, A.J. Stone Company, Southwest Fire Academy, Pitman Safety Solutions, Motis Fire Rescue, Task Force Tips and Jeff Gorley, Brian Millar and Tech Forward Solutions, and a special thank you to our hosts at Oakville Fire for welcoming firefighters from across North America for an incredible weekend of learning and camaraderie.

Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us for another episode of Traditions on Tap—recorded l from Smoke is Showing. Cheers! 🍻🚒🇨🇦

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:
@northernhydrate

Use our discount code TRUENORTHFOOLS10 for 10% off"
@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

LONG LIVE THE FOOLS

On this episode of TNF- Traditions on Tap Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Ball , whose journey into the fire service began long before he ever stepped onto a fireline. What started as a passion for photographing his local fire department quickly grew into a career goal of becoming a Wildland firefighter with the MNRF (Ontario).

In 2023, Matthew attended Southwest Fire Academy, earning his OFM certifications and developing the skills needed for structural firefighting. Looking for opportunities to gain experience and strengthen his resume in a highly competitive profession, he turned his attention to wildland firefighting.

After obtaining his Forest Firefighter certification, Matthew applied to bases across Ontario and was hired by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in the Northwest Region for the 2024 fire season. Now entering his third year as a wildland firefighter, Matthew has worked on fires across Canada and earned certifications as a Chainsaw Operator, Engine Operator, and Crewboss. This season, he has stepped into the role of Crewboss, serving as the second-in-command of his crew.

When the fire season ends, Matthew returns to Southern Ontario, where he remains deeply involved in the fire service community. Whether he's photographing emergency scenes, filming fire apparatus across the province, or contributing content as a partner with Fireguys235, his passion for firefighting never takes an offseason.

Join us as we discuss life on the fireline, building a career in the fire service, leadership in wildland firefighting, and the experiences that have shaped Matthew's journey from fire buff to Crewboss.

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:
@northernhydrate

Use our discount code TRUENORTHFOOLS10 for 10% off"
@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

Contact Matt @matthewball_8

LONG LIVE THE FOOL

In this episode, we sit down with Craig, the driving force behind the fire service media brand Hooks & Halligans. With nearly two decades of experience on the fireground, Craig’s journey started back in 2006 with nothing more than a scanner—and soon after, a camera. What began as a solo passion has grown into a dedicated team capturing the raw reality and deep-rooted traditions of the fire service across Ontario, the United States, and Scotland.

From massive working fires and firefighter close calls to line-of-duty funerals and community events, Craig has documented it all. His work offers a unique, unfiltered look into the job—preserving moments that might otherwise be lost to time. Guided by his motto, “I document the present, because in the future it will be the past,” Craig shares the stories behind the lens, the evolution of fire service media, and what it truly means to capture the fire service in action.

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:
@northernhydrate

Use our discount code TRUENORTHFOOLS10 for 10% off"
@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

Contact Hooks & Halligans @hookshalligans

LONG LIVE THE FOOLS

TNF-Traditions on Tap Podcast: Episode 3

Eric proudly serves with Canada’s southernmost fire department, bringing five years of hands-on experience, dedication, and deep-rooted pride in the fire service. Known for his commitment to the job and the people around him, he represents the kind of firefighter who shows up ready—every single day.

Beyond the truck, Eric is an active member of True North F.O.O.L.S, becoming an Associate in 2022. From helping spread the mission to organizing raffles and supporting events, he continues to give back while growing under the guidance of strong mentors within the brotherhood.

Driven by passion and craftsmanship, Eric also launched his own leatherwork business, specializing in handcrafted firefighting gear—including helmet shields and radio straps—built with the same pride and attention to detail he brings to the fireground.

Whether he’s attending conferences across North America, learning from others in the job, or putting in the work at his department, Eric is fueled by mentorship, tradition, and the unbreakable bond of the fire service.

He doesn’t just do the job—he lives it.

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:
@northernhydration
@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

@leftywright_32

Long Live the F.O.O.L.S

TNF- Traditions on Tap Episode #2 with the New England F.O.O.L.S

In this episode of Traditions on Tap, the True North F.O.O.L.S sit down with the New England F.O.O.L.S to talk shop, share stories, and dive deep into the journey of building their chapter. From the early days to where they are now, this conversation highlights the grit, tradition, and brotherhood that define the F.O.O.L.S culture.

We get into the lessons learned along the way, the importance of keeping traditions alive, and how the fire service continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core values. It’s an honest, unfiltered look at what it takes to build something meaningful in the fire service—and why it matters.

Whether you're a seasoned member or new to the job, this episode is packed with insight, pride, and passion for the craft.

Big shoutout to the crews and brands that continue to support and push the fire service culture forward:
@northernhydration
@newenglandfools
@firehumorcompany
@truenorthfools

Stay low. Stay aggressive. Stay FOOLS.

TNF- Traditions on Tap Episode #1 with Blake & Craig Price, between the two of them, you’re looking at decades of experience spanning volunteer halls, career departments, technical rescue, and fire service training across New Brunswick. From Truck 4 in Moncton to Rescue Company 4 in Saint John, and through their work with Fire Training Associates, these guys aren’t just showing up they’re shaping the next generation of firefighters.

We recently had the chance to sit down with them on the True North Fools – Traditions on Tap Podcast , where the conversation went exactly where you’d expect—fire, family, and the traditions that keep the job grounded. Stories from the floor, lessons from the training ground, and a few laughs that only firefighters can truly appreciate.

Big shoutout as well to the crews and brands supporting the fire service culture:

@northernhydration

@firetrainingassociates

@firehumorcompany

@truenorthfools

It’s conversations like that that remind us this job is bigger than calls and gear—it’s about the people beside you and the culture we carry forward.