Chicago's Bravest Stories Podcast
Listen in on the true stories of the first responders from the Chicagoland area and across the country as they tell the story in their own words. Get a peek behind the curtain of the men and women who show up on your worst day sometimes risking their own lives in process. Unscripted and heartfelt a podcast of Chicagos bravest stories.
Episode 82 Pt 2: Medal of Valor recipient Gino Casciola and crew from the Addison Fire Dept. Lt. Ralph Holdridge, Lt. Eric Medernach and FF/PM Louie DiGioia
Episode 2 with the crew from the Addison Fire Dept. a routine commercial structure fire, if there is a such thing, occured on May 21 2025 where members of E71 and E72 got disoriented and lost when fire conditions changed in an instant. Listen how FF Casciola entered the structure more than once and helped members out of the structure.
Episode 82 Pt 1: Medal of Valor recipient Gino Casciola and crew from the Addison Fire Dept. Lt. Ralph Holdridge, Lt. Eric Medernach and FF/PM Louie DiGioia
Episode 1 with the crew from the Addison Fire Dept. a routine commercial structure fire, if there is a such thing, occured on May 21 2025 where members of E71 and E72 got disoriented and lost when fire conditions changed in an instant. Listen how FF Casciola entered the structure more than once and helped members out of the structure.
Episode 81 part 2 : Lt. Bob Opiola member of The Chicago fire department and special guest host Lt. Josh Hill with the Frontline Mortgage Team
Bob Opiola is a 17 year member of the chicago fire department and talks about some lessons learned at a couple of close calls, with guest host Josh from the Frontline Mortgage Team
Episode 81: with Lt. Bob Opiola member of The Chicago fire department and special guest host Lt. Josh Hill with the Frontline Mortgage Team
Bob Opiola is a 17 year member of the chicago fire department and talks about some lessons learned at a couple of close calls, with guest host Josh from the Frontline Mortgage Team
Episode 80: retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Bill Shatz and daughter Firefighter/EMT Becca Schatz pt 2
History with retired District Chief Bill Schatz, who joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1965 and his daughter Becca Schatz is a 3rd generation chicago Firefighter
Episode 80: retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Bill Shatz and daughter Firefighter/EMT Becca Schatz pt 1
History with retired District Chief Bill Schatz, who joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1965 and his daughter Becca Schatz is a 3rd generation chicago Firefighter
Episode 79: Bob Dodovich retired Lt. from Chicago Fire departments Squad 2 and Clay Whiteley from episode 64
Bob Dodovich retired Lt. from Chicago Fire departments Squad 2 and Clay Whiteley from episode 64. Bob fell through the roof of a currency exchange and lived to tell about it.
Chicagoland 1800 board up episode 78: former State Fire Marshall Matt Perez , Nate Rice Peoria FD and John Koch Joliet FD
CBS talks to former state Fire Marshall Matt Perez, Nate Rice from Peoria FD and John Koch from Joliet FD about a data driven ground breaking program for the fire service that has shown success in targeting problem areas of their community and providing proactive measures to slow them down
Roll call episode from chicagoland 1-800-boardup: from the Gurnee Mills Fire Expo retired Capt Kevin Calhoun FDNY with Tunnels to Towers Foundation
CBSP talk to Trudy Maatta from Newport Township fire protection district and Kevin Calhoun retired Captain from FDNY. Trudy is organizes the Gurnee Mills first responder expo. Kevin is a 9/11 survivor and travels with the "Tunnels to towers" mobil memorial exhibit. "tunnels to towers" helps America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001.
Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 2
CBS talk to Southside FOOLS members Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan about the FOOLS and the upcoming training opportunity Mac a Palooza on October 4th at the Calumet City Public Training Center
Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 1
CBS talk to Southside FOOLS members Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan about the FOOLS and the upcoming training opportunity Mac a Palooza on October 4th at the Calumet City Public Training Center
Episode 76: Pt 2 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle
Vince and Josh Hill talk to real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle. Alex and Chris are also urban Firefighters who work for a busy fire department East of Chicago. listen how to, over time, grow your hard earned money into wealth to help with your future
Episode 77: Mike Rossi from Des Plaines FD and Carson Zastrow from Arlington Heights FD promote FIRE & ICE hockey Charity Tournament Aug 2 2025
Mike Rossi and Carson Zastrow are firefighters who organize the FIRE & ICE charity hockey Tournament and have helped raise money for charities like the 100 club of illinois and Shield 23
Episode 76: Pt 1 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle
Vince and Josh Hill talk to real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle. Alex and Chris are also urban Firefighters who work for a busy fire department East of Chicago. listen how to, over time, grow your hard earned money into wealth to help with your future
Roll Call with Jose Perez: " Im walking out of here" Jose is a Chicago firefighter/Paramedic who was paralyzed during a triathlon in San Francisco
Vince talks with Jose Perez from Colorado where Jose is currently doing rehab for an injury suffered at a triathlon in San Francisco which left him paralyzed. Vince and Jose talk about Jose's boxing and firefighting career. Jose wanted to thank everyone who supported him and shares his ultimate goal of walking out of the hospital on his own
Episode 75: Nick Bostic pt 2 pizza delivery guy turned hero
special co-hosts Josh Hill and Damien Cuppello sit down with Vince and guest Nick Bostic. Nick was driving when he found a house on fire, Nick entered the house and rescued 3 girls from the flames before having to jump out of the 2nd story window with a little girl in his arms
Episode 75: Pt1 with Nick Bostic, Nick is the pizza delivery guy turned hero after he rescued 4 girls from a house fire
special co-hosts Josh Hill and Damien Cuppello sit down with Vince and guest Nick Bostic. Nick was driving when he found a house on fire, Nick entered the house and rescued 3 girls from the flames before having to jump out of the 2nd story window with a little girl in his arms
Episode 74: with Ron Rufo retired Chicago Police Officer and author of "Breaking the barriers"
Vince talks to Ron Rufo, retired chicago police officer and author of the book "breaking the barriers" which looks into first responders mental health and wellness
Episode 73 Jimmy Scharnhorst Pt 1 " never miss an opportunity to shut the f***k up"
Jimmy Scharnhorst sits down with the guys and talks about the fire service, Jimmy has been an institution in the chicagoland area since entering the fire service in 1979
Episode 73 Jimmy Scharnhorst Pt 2" never miss an opportunity to shut the f***k up"
part 2 with Jimmy Scharnhorst a Chicagoland institution since 1979
Episode 72: Pt2 with Max Austin retired Cicero lieutenant
part 2 with Max Austin retired lieutenant with the Cicero Fire Department. listen to the conclusion of the mayday just before his retirement and his run in with the late rapper Coolio
Episode 72 : Pt 1 with retired Cicero Firefighter Max Austin
Vince and Corey sit down with 20 year veteran of the Cicero fire department Max Austin.
Episode 71: Part 2 w/ actor David Eigenberg from the TV show Chicago Fire
CBSP sits down with actor David Eigenberg who plays Christopher Herrmann in the popular TV show Chicago Fire. David is also know for his role as Steve in the show sex and the city.
Episode 71: Part 1 w/ actor David Eigenberg from the TV show Chicago Fire
CBSP sits down with actor David Eigenberg who plays Christopher Herrmann in the popular TV show Chicago Fire. David is also know for his role as Steve in the show sex and the city.
Episode 70: Chief Rich Stack and Capt. Dan Bracken from the Finley forever foundation Pt2
Vince sits down with Chief Rich Stack and Capt Dan Bracken. Rich and Dan represent the Finley Forever Foundation which supports the children and families suffering from cancer. Named after Dan"s daughter Finley who passed on 9/11/2020, the foundation has provided financial support along with so much more for so many families
Episode 70: Chief Rich Stack and Capt. Dan Bracken from the Finley forever foundation Pt1
Vince sits down with Chief Rich Stack and Capt Dan Bracken. Rich and Dan represent the Finley Forever Foundation which supports the children and families suffering from cancer. Named after Dan"s daughter Finley who passed on 9/11/2020, the foundation has provided financial support along with so much more for so many families
Episode 69: Pt. 2 W/ AFFI president Chuck Sullivan and Vice President Luke Howieson
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois president Chuck Sullivan and vice President Luke Howieson talk about the on going battle down state with tier 1 and tier memberships. if your are a public servant in Illinois then you need to listen to this podcast because it directly affects you pension and retirement.
Episode 69: AFFI president Chuck Sullivan and Vice President Luke Howieson
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois president Chuck Sullivan and vice President Luke Howieson talk about the on going battle down state with tier 1 and tier memberships. if your are a public servant in Illinois then you need to listen to this podcast because it directly affects you pension and retirement.
Episode 68 : Pt2 with FF/PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire/ Riverwoods FD
Steve and Vince sit down with FF?PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire /RIverwoods Fire Department. Alex is a former collegiate athlete and played arena football for the Thunder and the Rush. Alex and his guys had a save in April of this year and talks about the training and preparation that led to the grab.
Episode 68 : Pt1 with FF/PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire/ Riverwoods FD
Steve and Vince sit down with FF?PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire /RIverwoods Fire Department. Alex is a former collegiate athlete and played arena football for the Thunder and the Rush. Alex and his guys had a save in April of this year and talks about the training and preparation that led to the grab.
Episode 67: Pt 2 Dave Hoppe ,Steve Brandt and Phil Zaleski from children's burn camp "Camp I am Me"
Dave Hoppe Steven Brandt and Phil Zaleski from "Camp I am me" a children's burn join CBSP to talk about the amazing work being done for the children at Camp I am me.
Episode 67: Dave Hoppe ,Steve Brandt and Phil Zaleski from the children's burn camp "Camp I am Me"
Dave Hoppe Steven Brandt and Phil Zaleski from "Camp I am me" a children's burn join CBSP to talk about the amazing work being done for the children at Camp I am me.
Episode 66: Pt2 Captain Al Ortiz former pro boxer and member of the Chicago Fire Department
part 2 with Captain Al Ortiz member of the Chicago Fire Department and new owner of the Battle Of the Badges tells his story from pro boxer to CFD Captain.
Episode 66: Pt 1 Capt Al Ortiz, pro boxer and owner of Chicago Battle Of the Badges
Captain Al Ortiz member of the Chicago and new owner of the Battle Of the Badges tells his story from pro boxer to CFD Captain.
Episode 65: Pt 2 Ron Sarno survivor of the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire 1958
Ron Sarno survived the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire in 1958 at the age of 10 years old. Ron lost his brother and sister in that fire. Ron would go on to battle addiction and mental health issues for many years after the fire before overcoming his addictions and seeking help. Ron has been clean and sober for many years now and is a grandfather now. Rons life is a lesson in resiliency and perserverance.
Episode 65: Pt 1 Ron Sarno survivor of the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire 1958
Ron Sarno survived the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire in 1958 at the age of 10 years old. Ron lost his brother and sister in that fire. Ron would go on to battle addiction and mental health issues for many years after the fire before overcoming his addictions and seeking help. Ron has been clean and sober for many years now and is a grandfather now. Rons life is a lesson in resiliency and perserverance.
Episode 64: Lt. Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd Pt 2
CBSP sit down with Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd . Clay is the commander of training for the Chicago Fire Department at the historic Quinn Fire Academy and Mike has been an instructor with Clay for more than a few academy classes. Clay and Mike are assigned to T20 “America’s truck” in Engelwood, located on the city’s south side
Episode 64: Lt. Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd Pt 1
CBSP sit down with Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd . Clay is the commander of training for the Chicago Fire Department at the historic Quinn Fire Academy and Mike has been an instructor with Clay for more than a few academy classes. Clay and Mike are assigned to T20 “America’s truck” in Engelwood, located on the city’s south side
Episode 63: Part 2 with Pat Kehoe and Billy "hitman" Heenan
Billy "Hitman" Heenan returns to CBS with long time friend and Chief Pat Kehoe. Pat is a retired Battalion Chief from the Chicago Fire Department with 36 years on the job.
Episode 63: Part 1 with Pat Kehoe and Billy "hitman" Heenan
Billy "Hitman" Heenan returns to CBS with long time friend and Chief Pat Kehoe. Pat is a retired Battalion Chief from the Chicago Fire Department with 36 years on the job.