Fire Engineering Podcast Network

How do you rebuild firehouse community? Host Larry Conley reflects on the lost art of firehouse community and building trust for this episode of The Larry Conley Show. He draws on 33 years on the job, discussing how technology, private rooms, and routines have eroded "community currency." Conley outlines practical steps to rebuild cohesion and reviews the EMPOWER (Envision, Mutual Victory, Proactive, Organize Priorities, Work Together, Empathetic Listening, Recharge) framework.

Pete Prochilo sits down with Jason Cerrano, director of R&D at IDEX Fire & Safety, to discuss SAM and SAM Boost—automated pressure-management systems that simplify pump operations, improve firefighter safety, and deliver consistency on the fireground. Cerrano explains how automated control reduces cognitive load, speeds troubleshooting, and allows for pump operators to focus on higher-value tasks. They cover retrofit options, real-world benefits for interior attack, how modern fuel loads change tactics, and common myths—including the idea that automation will replace pump operators.   For more technical detail and demos visit samflows.com. Hosted by Fire E...

On this episode of Mayday Monday, host Tony Carroll revisits an incident from April 2007, focusing on the incident commander. Jim Forgo from the Prince William County (VA) Department of Fire and Rescue details his actions at the fire that took the life of firefighter Kyle Wilson. Forgo bravely describes the chaotic scene, marked by high winds and dime-sized embers, as he explains how the crews conducted a primary search for reported occupants as conditions deteriorated rapidly. They discuss how a critical radio system failure—resulting in hundreds of blocked transmissions—clogged communication during the most desperate moments of the rescue...

On this episode of Fireground Strategies, guests Bobby Moran and John Lewis join the conversation. They discuss tactics, leadership, and the ever-evolving fire service. The panel members trace their careers from volunteer beginnings and the Bergen County (NJ) Fire Academy to chief roles. They talk incident command, county-level resource coordination, utility response, gas-safety outreach, staffing shortages, and the decline in volunteers. 

FDIC 2026 is behind us. Now what? In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Stephen Shaw sits down with Brian Zaitz to unpack how conference momentum translates into practical change. They discuss leveraging professional networks, mentoring and developing instructors, and why writing short, experience‑driven articles matters. Zaitz offers concrete advice for returning from FDIC: Start small and prepare for timing and politics that turn “not yet” into “now.” They debate a trend toward technical rescue and advanced EMS tools while stressing mastery of fundamentals—hose work, searches, patient assessment. They also explore examples of successful change and tips for building ch...

On this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline challenges fire service leaders to stop coasting and rebuild vital relationships within their departments. He draws on his 46 years of frontline experience, identifying seven relationship killers:    1. Unmet needs.  2. Unfulfilled expectations.  3. Underdeveloped self-esteem. 4. Unresolved conflicts. 5. Uncontrolled thoughts. 6. Unprotected lifestyles (negative influences). 7. Unreliable commitment.   Cline explains how each "killer" corrodes morale, teamwork, and public safety. He gives company officers and firefighters the steps they need to follow for a true reset. Cline al...

On this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Jeffrey Lenard, a firefighter/EMT for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, and Mike Cox, director of fire and EMS Solutions for Esri. Lenard, who is also a master public safety diver, and Cox discuss the January 2025 crash of American Airlines Flight 5342. They cover the way the response was managed, the technology involved, and how they achieved a common operating picture under very difficult conditions.   This podcast is brought to you by Esri: https://www.esri.com/en-us/home

Want to learn more about NERIS? On this episode of Professional Volunteer Fire Department, Tom Merrill checks in with Tom Jenkins for a four-month status report on the National Emergency Response Information System. This system went live January 1st, replacing NFIRS. They cover who's on board, common onboarding snags, and practical steps departments should take now, such as verifying their organizational record, training users with short how-to videos, engaging dispatch centers, and standardizing entries. Jenkins explains dashboards and insights reporting and the help desk and regional outreach. They also discuss why accurate timestamps, dispatch data, and interagency tagging matter fo...

Hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush welcome Monterey (CA) Fire Department firefighters Lou Valdez, Patrick Moore, Greg Greenlee, and Matt Harris. On this episode of Command Show, the panel discusses responding to a nightmare scenario structure fire at the Casanova apartment complex. They detail this three-story, 90-unit building and how they were able to save residents from a smoke-filled hallway. What follows is a masterclass in modern incident command.   This podcast is brought to you by Tablet Command. www.tabletcommand.com/get-started-lp   Quick favor: take our 3-minute (anonymous) listener survey to help...

On this episode of The Backstep Boys, hosts Ron Kanterman and Tom Aurnhammer welcome Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy to reflect on careers, camaraderie, and the future of the fire service. The hosts discuss volunteer pride and why the firehouse remains a unique hub of both trust and service. They debate technology's role in the future of fire service, arguing that it should not be used in decision making on the fireground. They also highlight the value in human storytelling, fallen colleagues, and why hands-on coaching is so important. The panel warns against social media fame, online criticism, and th...

(This episode originally aired in March 2026.) Inside a firehouse, teamwork isn’t part of a slogan—it’s the difference between control and chaos. For this episode of Women in Fire, host Lisa Baker and guests Heather Mozdean, Paige Cowell, and Kim Phillips get candid about what teamwork actually looks like. They move past textbook definitions and into the reality: coordinating ventilation with interior crews, trusting the person next to you to read conditions the same way, and knowing one freelancer can unravel an entire operation in seconds.   They also take a look at station l...

This week on the Humpday Hangout, Brian Zaitz, P.J. Norwood, and Candace Ashby discuss FDIC, problematic employees, leadership, and management. Ashby challenges firefighters to stop waiting for administration to save them and star saving themselves. They discuss a leadership crisis in the fire service and how negative people spread through the ranks while the majority stay silent. The panel argues that company officers are more powerful than any chief, yet many have traded real command for endless consensus building. She breaks down six core issues plaguing modern departments in this raw, unapologetic look at why the "brotherhood" is f...

Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka break down high-stakes decisions on the fireground, planning ahead of FDIC, and window rescues on this episode of The Command Post. They discuss consoling a terrified, conscious victim, removal options, the importance of ladder selection and placement, using tower buckets, and when to radio for more resources. The hosts also call out "keyboard cowards" who attack firefighters online, and urge constructive critique, mentorship, and humility as way to learn more.    This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/   This episode is bro...

In this episode of Mayday Monday, host Tony Carroll speaks with Chief Wells Wilson of the Alexandria (VA) Fire Department about a March 2024 working high‑rise fire that involved a Mayday.   A routine alarm escalated when elevators and water supply complications slowed access, smoke rapidly charged a stairwell, and firefighters who were low on air called a Mayday. Wilson—with 19 years on the job, having been recently promoted to chief—recounts operational decisions, crew coordination, the value of a dedicated driver and captain, and how training, command checklists, and clear radio language shortened response time. He cand...

In this episode of Fireground Strategies, hosts Anthony Avillo and Jim Duffy speak with Jack Murphy about their upcoming FDIC classes, classroom offerings, and the 25th anniversary of 9/11. They break down what's new for FDIC, the ins-and-outs of opening ceremonies, hands-on evolutions, and commemorations of 9/11. They also explore responding to high-rise "superblocks," practical preincident building intelligence, and street-level recon. They preview FDIC classes, symposiums, and encourage attendees to honor responders and exchange knowledge.   Quick favor: take our 3-minute (anonymous) listener survey to help shape what we cover next: https://sprw.io/stt-9EB04   ...

Aaron Fields joins host Steve Shaw to discuss ways to cut through the hype in modern fire service training and leadership on this episode of Perspectives on Leadership. They argue for humility over spectacle, deliberate practice over one-off tricks, and measurement over opinion. Fields details his unconventional path into the service, explains why standard operating procedures and shared language matter, and outlines how teams build trust through consistent problem solving. The discussion also covers managing emotion during conflict and holding people accountable. And they touch on the importance of patience and long‑term change.   This episode...

Who is liable when firefighters cross into mutual aid? On this episode of Fire Service Court, John Murphy breaks down the "borrowed servant" doctrine. He explores how control, duration, equipment, and pay decide which agency is liable during mutual aid, mobilizations, and task-force deployments. Murphy details a tragic Illinois case, reviews OSHA findings, details a $31 million settlement, and explores the preventable failures. He lays out clear risk controls: written mutual-aid liability clauses, indemnification, ICS/NIMS command, cross-training, strict PAR and two-in/two-out enforcement, SCBA tracking, and robust documentation.   This episode is brought to you by The Fire...

How are rapid changes in building materials and construction methods outpacing firefighter training? On this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline and guest Christopher Naum argue for a return to rigorous, formalized building-construction literacy, from basic firefighter responsibilities to company officer and commander levels, and outline suggested training targets. They explain the "building as battleground” concept, the limits of on‑the‑job and diluted in‑service instruction, and why architecture, engineering, and fire dynamics must be integrated into curricula.   This episode is brought to you by The Fire Store: https://thefirestore.com/ This episo...

What is professional relevance and do you have it? On this episode of The Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley sits down with Brian Zaitz, assistant chief of the Kirkwood (MO) Fire Department and president of the ISFSI, to discuss four critical pillars of professional relevance in today's fire service: being active, staying current, building meaningful relationships, and delivering effective training.    The two draw from national-level insights and frontline experience. They challenge firefighters and officers to evaluate whether they are growing—or simply showing up. Conley and Zaitz also provide perspective on the direction of the fire...

With FDIC right around the corner, host Eddie Buchanan and guests Mike Cox, Trevor Wilson, and Kirk McKinzie preview the NextGen Fire Rescue Tech Summit. They discuss how real-time sensor streams, AI, and indoor 3D mapping will change command, mutual aid, and firefighter safety. They explore actionable use cases—near‑real‑time decision support, resource tracking across jurisdictions, and tabletop-to-field workflows—and urge bridging research pilots to scalable deployments with policy guardrails. Tune in for a preview to sessions, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations they'll be hosting at FDIC.   This podcast is brought to you by Esri: htt...