Firefighter Nation Podcast

Should breastfeeding firefighters pump and dump after a fire response? Dr. Alesia Jung discusses research into occupational exposures among women firefighters and the potential effects on breast milk and infant health. Learn what researchers investigated about polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), chemical exposure, and changes in breast milk over time.

Houston (TX) Fire Department District Chief Clyde Gordon joins Mike Goldstein to reflect on a 40-year career shaped by training, personal accountability, fireground experience, and the human cost of leadership.

Gordon discusses getting water on the fire, mid-rise fire strategies, the failures of upper management, and how the loss of a crew member changed his approach to mentorship. He also shares the story of helping a homeless neighborhood kid named Rodney find a path toward the Marine Corps and a future in pre-law.

From fireground decision making to the responsibility of developing firefighters and leading...

Fire service banter hits a whole new level when cohosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott take their show on the road, broadcasting from different corners of the country. Between tech failures, Wi-Fi fiascos in the Pacific Northwest, and impromptu location changes, this episode dives into the unfiltered reality of emergency services culture.

The conversation tackles tough questions about accountability, examining why the fire service needs to stop covering for bad behavior within the brotherhood, both on and off the job. From there, the hosts break down bizarre headlines, including an Ohio fire chief fired for appearing in...

Some firehouses have a four-legged member of the crew. Keith Shields explains why station dogs matter.

On this episode of Beyond the Headlines, Shields discusses the role of station dogs in the fire service, from building crew camaraderie to providing companionship during long shifts. From stray dogs that find a home at the station to established station dog programs, this conversation explores how dogs become part of the crew and their place in discussions about firefighter wellness, stress, and mental health.

Link to Keith Shields’ article: https://www.firefighternation.com/health-wellness/firefighter-mental-health/more-than-a-mascot-why-fire-departments-should-seriously-consider-a-24-7-station-dog/

Fire service banter hits a whole new level when cohosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott take their show on the road, broadcasting from different corners of the country. Between tech failures, Wi-Fi fiascos in the Pacific Northwest, and impromptu location changes, this episode dives into the unfiltered reality of emergency services culture.

The conversation tackles tough questions about accountability, examining why the fire service needs to stop covering for bad behavior within the brotherhood, both on and off the job. From there, the hosts break down bizarre headlines, including an Ohio fire chief fired for appearing in...

Assistant Chief Manny Almaguer draws a distinction most fire departments have never heard: cultural competency and cultural empathy are not the same thing. One checks a box. The other earns trust. In this conversation, he breaks down what that difference actually looks like on the ground.

Before he ever put on turnout gear, Almaguer spent years working in psychiatric institutions, and that background shapes everything about how he leads. In 26 years, he's held nearly every role in the Denver Fire Department and spent the last 15 as a national voice on first responder mental health, invited to speak...

In this episode of The CAN Report, host Mike Goldstein sits down with Jake Dickes, a Boulder County captain and founder of Sons of Irons, LLC, to discuss modern fireground operations. Starting his career alongside his father in 2003, Dickes spent 19 years riding the backstep before stepping into leadership. He launched Sons of Irons in 2013 to inject real-world passion back into basic drills, specialized engine tactics, and rapid intervention team operations.

The conversation focuses on the realities of running minimally staffed engine companies in rural districts, handling social media online critics, and implementing lasting organizational change. Dickes outlines...

Preparing for the CPAT? What you eat and drink before the test can have a major impact on how you perform.

In this episode of Fueling Fire, Megan Lautz breaks down the basics of CPAT nutrition and explains how to fuel your body during training and on test day. She covers why carbohydrates are your primary source of fuel, how to approach hydration without overdoing it, what to eat before the CPAT, and why you do not need to load up on protein right before you test.

Whether you are in the thick of training f...

What happens when losing a parent to occupational cancer changes the way you lead a fire department?

In Episode 67 of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with Chief J.T. Wallace of Benton (LA) Fire District No. 4. After following his father into the fire service, Wallace eventually became chief. His father's death from occupational cancer, and the experience of walking just two feet behind his casket, changed the way he thought about protecting the firefighters he leads.

Today, Wallace makes firefighter health, cancer prevention, fitness, and behavioral health central to his department's culture. Benton F...

Riley McGilloway is a third-generation firefighter from Acton, Ontario, an instructor with Southwest Fire Academy, and president of True North FOOLS. In this episode, Riley talks with Scott Hewlett about the mindset, discipline, and work ethic required to build a career in the fire service.

Riley shares how his family and community shaped his approach to the job, the challenges he faced while working toward a career in firefighting, and why he believes you have to earn your place every day. 

He also discusses his passion for hands-on training, including forcible entry a...

Firefighters rely on acronyms, mnemonics, and tactical shorthand, but when does all that jargon create more mental noise than clarity? On this episode of The Quick Knock, hosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott take a hard look at fireground communication, training, and the tendency to overcomplicate what needs to happen under pressure.

The conversation also tackles ego in the fire service, from social media metrics to FDIC class selection and the pressure to build a bigger audience. Steph and Chris discuss why meaningful impact is not always measured in followers, views, or crowd size, and why smaller...

For years, most female firefighters have worn turnout gear adapted from standard patterns originally designed for men. However, designing PPE for women requires much more than changing measurements.

In this episode, Camilla Callesen, chief designer at VIKING Fire & Rescue, and retired firefighter Kendall Taylor discuss the research, engineering, and field testing behind the VIKING VALKYRIE. Together they explain how anatomical studies, pattern construction, and grading create turnout gear that supports natural movement, reduces unnecessary bulk, and helps firefighters perform demanding tasks more efficiently.

First responder mental health cannot stop at awareness. Hosts Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle discuss why fire and EMS organizations need to move beyond once a year campaigns and make mental wellness and psychological resilience part of ongoing training and station culture.

Drawing from experiences in Chicago high rises, military deployments, and personal encounters with loss, Dan and Chris examine the daily pressures first responders carry and why waiting for a crisis or performance issue is not a sustainable approach.

The conversation also explores the suicidality continuum, from subtle warning signs and early ideation to...

What happens when firehouse culture crosses the line? Who is responsible when a firefighter doesn't have the skills to perform? And what should departments consider when evaluating firefighter candidates?

On this episode of The Quick Knock, Stephanie White and Chris Scott review recent fire service news and debate the issues behind the headlines.

They discuss: • Company officer responsibility for firefighter training and performance
• Where harmless firefighter hazing ends and misconduct begins • Accountability for illegal or harmful behavior in the firehouse • Department leadership, retaliation and protecting the organization • Educational requirements and hiring standards for aspiring firefighters who were hom...

On this episode of The Revolutionaries, guest Brad Conrado a lieutenant with the Longview (TX) Fire Department, breaks down teaching, mentorship, and servant leadership in the fire service. Brad shares practical advice for new instructors and leaders: Lead from genuine care, earn influence before you instruct, give credit and follow up when you don't have an answer, and use small, repeatable steps to build skill and trust. 

On this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Chris Marella sits down with guest Jeremy Condon to talk through the reasons why departments need to stop relying on vague buzzwords and focus on what actually drives crew performance. Condon discusses his article, "It's Not Culture, It's Cohesion," and why it gained so much traction on social media. Condon pushes back against the idea that culture is a fix-all solution, noting that it often serves as a shield to dodge personal responsibility. He explains that real change happens through specific, repeatable behaviors built on accountability, clear communication, and trust.

On this episode of The C.A.N. Report, host Mike Goldstein sits down with Eric Wuensch, a firefighter with the Cibolo (TX) Fire Department. Wuensch talks about his transition from a smaller agency to the Cibolo Fire Department, touching on the anxieties of becoming a probationary firefighter again after eight years in the service and why seeking out an active training culture matters. The guest also details his deployment during the July 4 flash floods in Kerrville, Texas, and the search for Michael Phillips. Wuensch opens up about carrying the trauma from those rescue efforts, the danger of isolating o...

What happens when every traditional treatment fails and a first responder is still drowning? On this episode of Igniting the Shift Within, retired FDNY-EMS paramedic and Army combat medic Carmine Fiore and certified EMDR therapist Candace Maisel join host David Dachinger. During the discussion, the panel explores the ins and outs of psychedelic-assisted therapy and battling PTSD.

On this episode of The Quick Knock, hosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott tackle the realities of modern fire service operations. They discuss what it means to be a "paper tiger": a firefighter who stacks state certifications and degrees without mastering real-world, hands-on fireground execution. They emphasize the perspective that departments must prioritize physical performance and practical training over online certificates. They also analyze a controversial rescue and the risks of chasing patients during a mental health crisis.

Passing the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) takes more than just being “in shape.” On this episode of Fueling Fire, host Megan Lautz sits down with firefighter, paramedic, and firefighter strength coach Katie Dennison to break down how to prepare for the test's physical demands, from strength and conditioning to pacing and technique. Dennison also describes her county's CPAT mentoring program.

As we mark 25 years since September 11, 2001, Five After Midnight host Stephanie White sits down with FDNY veteran Tim Brown, who recounts his experience on 9/11, the men he lost, and the book he wrote to honor them. Brown describes the calm bravery of the firefighters who said, "Send me in," as they went up the towers, and shares his thoughts on those final acts. Brown offers practical advice for dealing with grief, finding the right therapist, and providing families with support.

For this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka welcomes Eileen Bellew, author of After John Jumped: The True Story of a Family's Rise from the Ashes. During the conversation, Bellew, recount's her family's experience after her husband succumbed to injuries from a fall during a Bronx, New York, rescue on January 23, 2005, which is now remembered as Black Sunday. 

Dr. Greg Burek, a psychiatrist and former marine, joins this episode of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show. Hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux invite Burek to unpack why sleep is such a central problem for veterans and first responders—and how the BRAVE Program, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, treats it. Burek explains why common fixes often fail or worsen symptoms, and how targeted, flexible clonidine dosing can “turn the volume down” on adrenaline, restore sleep architecture, and jump‑start recovery. 

The C.A.N. Report welcomes Jazmyne Alston, a Firefighter/EMT who joins the podcast to tell a raw, inspiring story. During her conversation with host Mike Goldstein, she discusses tough-love instructors at the Douglas County (GA) Fire/EMS training facility, the brotherhood of her class, the life-changing Bearers of the Oath training, and how she weathered 18 million views of social-media hate after posting graduation footage. 

On this episode of Multiple Calls, Scott Hewlett welcomes Paul Hollingshead, the chief training officer for the Oakville (ON) Fire Department. Hollingshead shares the key factors that shaped his career in fire training, starting with his experience answering emergency calls as a contract communicator. He goes on to discuss eventually earning a spot on the trucks, working under a crew known for its relentlessness and aggressive mindset. During the conversation, Hollingshead addresses the significance key mentors have had in his life and career.

What happens to your identity when the job that defined you changes? In this episode of Mental Health Monthly, Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle talk through the firefighter/EMT struggle of balancing career passion with family, mental wellness, and life after service. They discuss how identity can shift from firefighter to partner, parent, and advocate. DeGryse and Muscle also cover the impact of work on spouses and kids and the kinds of small habits that can protect firefighters' mental health.

Welcome back to The Quick Knock, hosted by Stephanie White and Chris Scott. On this episode, White  argues that individual mistakes aren’t automatically the result of “culture,” but that inconsistent consequences are. Meanwhile, Scott pushes the layered idea of macro and micro cultures. During this conversation, they also tackle training: If your company officer doesn't run drills, hold yourself accountable and keep your skills sharp. News highlights include a wild New Hampshire call where a homeowner allegedly stole a rescue truck during a fire at his own home and censure resolutions at the recent IAFF convention. 

Chief David J. Stone joins host Chris Marella in this episode of Beyond the Headlines. Stone walks through practical leadership tools for fire officers: honest encouragement, constructive critique, and servant leadership practiced with intentionality. He discusses his recent Firefighter Nation article, "Communicating Truth with Empathy: A Fire Officer's Guide to Honest Encouragement and Constructive Critique." Stone also focuses on why behavior—not personality—builds trust, why a simple public "good job" matters, and how pausing two seconds before responding preserves relationships and reputations. 

On this episode of The C.A.N. Report, host Mike Goldstein welcomes Robert Ramirez to talk firefighter rescue, building a new fire department in Jupiter, Florida, and bridging modern self-rescue tactics to classrooms worldwide. They cover Ramirez's recent FDIC debut, his train-the-trainer work in Germany, and reasons why social media matters for recruitment. Goldstein and Ramirez also explore the A-B-C method for entanglements—Avoid, Back Up, and Cut. 

This episode of the Revolutionaries welcomes guest Jason Worthy, a second‑generation firefighter and current company officer. The panel discussion covers practical leadership, operational tactics, and firefighter health, along with actionable advice for chiefs, company officers, and firefighters who want better training and smarter staffing.

In this episode of Igniting the Shift Within, host David Dachinger welcomes seven leaders who share their insights on effective leadership, resilience, and leading through major crises like 9/11 and Covid-19.

Guests:

For this episode of Frontline Findings, hosts Stephanie White and Rachel Bozek explore eye health for firefighters. They welcome board certified ophthalmologist Cordell Adams, chief of the ophthalmology department at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, who discusses the risks to the cornea that come with firefighting, what to do on scene, and how to avoid long-term eye health challenges. 

Firefighter schedules can make family meals, grocery shopping and healthy routines feel unpredictable. In this episode of Fueling Fire, Megan Lautz welcomes registered dietitian and firefighter spouse Michelle Bugbee of Ignite Performance Nutrition. They talk about realistic ways for fire service families to eat well. Topics they cover during this discussion include meal planning, shared nutrition goals, and managing schedules, all without making food another full-time job.

For this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with longtime friend and researcher Dr. Sara Jahnke to explore the evolving landscape of firefighter health. There's a little of everything, from lighthearted personal banter to updates about the upcoming Science to the Station conference in Kansas City, MO, November 3-5, 2026. Jahnke highlights ongoing research into sleep schedule modifications, post-traumatic stress interventions, and the cultural approach to alcohol use in the fire service. They also get into complex topics like cancer screening barriers, critical illness pools, and the emerging role of alternative treatments, including psychedelic therapies and ketamine for...

In this episode of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show, hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux speak with Nate Morgans, CEO of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund. Morgans discloses how his struggles with alcohol landed him in rehab. During this time, he made a friend who suggested he check out an indigenous treatment in Mexico. He shares what his experience was like, how it helped him to recover, and how the 343 Fund works. They also discuss the upcoming Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference in Exotic Beavercreek, Ohio.

Chief Ryan McCormick of Alexander (AR) Fire Department and Collegeville (AR) Volunteer Fire Department joins host Mike Goldstein on this episode of The C.A.N. Report During their conversation, they discuss bridging the gap between volunteer and career firefighting, operational readiness, mutual-aid coordination, and leadership. McCormick explains the differences in mindset and expectations between volunteer and career crews, aggressive training and fitness, and urges departments to train together so RIT, SCBA, and tactics align during mutual-aid responses. 

Host Scott Hewlett welcomes Rob Wiggins for this episode of Multiple Calls. They discuss the path Wiggins took from volunteer to full-time crew member, with a look at his paramedic work, instructing experience, and time on the high-rise conference circuit. They also address recruitment life, rigorous training standards, teaching failures that ultimately made them better, and the practical tactics that have stuck with them over the years. 

Former Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief and Chicago Fire screenwriter Steve "Chik" Chikerotis joins Dan DeGryse and Chris Muscle for this episode of Mental Health Monthly. Drawing on over three decades of field experience, Chikerotis opens up about his first day on the job, the emotional toll of responding to Ground Zero after 9/11, and a devastating personal loss of his own. He breaks down how shifting from a culture of stoic silence to open dialogue saves lives, offering actionable stress-management techniques like box breathing and positive visualization.

On this episode of The Quick Knock, hosts Stephanie White and Chris Scott debate when it's appropriate to step outside your specialty to help move the job forward, and when doing so becomes gatekeeping. They explore survival versus popularity motives and ask whether conferences matter if you don't bring the lessons you learn at them back to the shift.  

On this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Chris Marella welcomes Michael Elhihi, author of Beyond the Algorithm: Firefighter Recruitment in the Age of AI to assess the reasons why traditional firefighter recruiting no longer covers the talent the service needs. They acknowledge practical steps: market the firehouse culture to mid-career candidates, shorten and centralize onboarding with in-house academies, and treat company officers as culture builders. The conversation covers the effectiveness of recruiting families and spouses and using social media to showcase everyday life.

Link to Michael Elhihi’s article, Beyond the Algorithm: Firefighter Recruitment in the...