Episode 21: The Roofs Pervs "Lost Episode"
The much fabled Perv Cast, recorded live at Firemanship Conference PDX 2020, finally sees the light of day!
Episode 20: Scott Hewlett
“It’s worth spending your own money on outside training. It’s worth your time. Why wouldn’t you want to work on yourself?”
Scott Hewlett is a firefighter in Ontario, Canada, with over two decades of experience. Scott is also the host of the excellent Multiple Calls Podcast.
Brampton Fire & Emergency Services Peer Support Facebook
Books:
Episode 999 (?): Adam Maiers
“I have like fifty things I'm working on right now. And it has nothing to do with, 'I'm better than you'. It has everything to do with me sucking, and just trying to get better."
Episode 18: Shannon Stone
“You wanna make the job safer? Train more.”
Shannon Stone is a twenty-nine year fire service veteran. After eleven years as a Battalion Chief in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Chief Stone will soon be moving into a Deputy Chief of Operations position at nearby Midway Fire District. Shannon teaches often with County Fire Tactics, is a founder of 850 Fireman, and has presented around the country. Along with with brother, DJ, he’s unveiling an exciting new class called Anatomy of a Rescue at FDIC 2020.
Chief Stone drops an immense amount of thought-provoking and actionable wisdom in this talk. If you ever intend to operate in a leadership position, this episode is for you!
Episode 17: The Roof Pervs, Part Deux
“The convergence of tactical knowledge and construction knowledge determines competency.”
Another joint podcast between RBF and The Built Environment, which can be found on Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio.
Roof Perv Facebook page
Episode 15: Dr. Graham Peaslee
“You guys are in the middle of it. You're the front lines.”
Dr. Graham Peaslee is a Professor of Experimental Nuclear Physics at University of Notre Dame. His current research project studies the quantity and persistence of PFAs contained in firefighter turnout gear.
Episode 14: Jim McCormack
“There’s no advanced-level training. There’s only advanced-level performance.”
Our guest for Episode 14 of Refined By Fire podcast is Jim McCormack of the Indianapolis Fire Department and the founder of Fire Department Training Network.
I have to be real with you guys. I’m kind of freaking out over this one. Jim is a wealth of knowledge with a pedigree as good as any, and he took the time to get deep into the weeds with me in discussions about training and skill acquisition. What an incredible privilege it was to have this talk with Jim, and to be able to share it with everyone.
Links:
FDTN (you should get a membership!)
My Facebook post re: skill acquisition
Emmanuel Fried’s Fireground Tactics
Episode 13: Fit to Fight Fire
“Would you want you rescuing you?”
Episode 13 of Refined By Fire podcast featured Tom Johnson and John Spera of Fit to Fight Fire. Fit to Fight Fire is a website and platform that Tom and John use to motivate and educate firefighters in the realm of training and fitness. Fit to Fight Fire also produces a podcast, Lead Yourself, where this interview can also be found.
Reading links:
The Mission, The Men, and Me by Pete Blaber (Tom)
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (Tom)
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (Stephen)
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (John)
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 12: Chris Brennan
“I’ve always been a big believer that the fire department is there to give people hope.”
Episode 9: Chris "Stretch" Martin
"What can I do to be that guy on my department?"
Chris "Stretch" Martin join us for Episode 9. Since entering the fire service as a high school cadet in 1996, Stretch has had an uncommon path through the profession. Serving as a firefighter during college at Notre Dame (which staffs its own standalone FD), a part-time FF, career FF, and multiple roles over two stints with Elkhart Brass, where he now operates as the Municipal Products Manager.
Stretch walks us through his unique perspective on the fire service, the Brass Tacks and Hard Facts video series, great fire conferences, ditching the 1" tip on your ISO stack, classic literature, and ... the InstaPot?
Articles:
Inspired by his choice for "What every firefighter should read": 100 Books Every Man Should Read
Jay Comella's Planning a Hose and Nozzle System
Resources:
Brass Tacks and Hard Facts YouTube
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 8: James Greenwood and Luke Miller
"The work, the suffering, the endurance -- that's where the beauty of our profession lies."
James Greenwood and Luke Miller are our guests for Episode 8. James and Luke (along with Joe Lunghofer — sorry we couldn’t get you there, Joe) are the driving forces behind the superb Boise Firefighter’s Symposium. Their backgrounds and experience are varied and have helped shape their unique perspectives and capabilities.
James began his career in fire over twenty years ago as an engine dork on a wildland fire crew. Despite his ignominious beginnings (“The first time I ever slept outside was on my first fire”), James has gathered a wide and unique array of experience since that time, including completing law school and practicing law in Nevada, operating as a hotshot and a smokejumper, and transitioning to the structure firefighting world with Santa Fe FD before moving to Boise Fire Department in 2012.
Luke has served with the Boise Fire Department since 2012, but has been serving our country since 1999 as a reservist in the Marine Corps. Luke was called into duty in 2004 for a tour in Iraq as a tanker. During this time, he was involved in a battle for which he was later decorated with the Military Vanguard Award and a Bronze Star. As one of the most humble men I’ve ever met, Luke only shares this story with us after much badgering, and continues to downplay his own role. You can read about this battle in Brian Stann’s book, Heart for the Fight, and well as this newspaper link.
Luke and James worked tirelessly to create and perfect the Boise Firefighter's Symposium (which is a part of FireNuggets, check out their classes and online magazine), along with many other passionate members at Boise Fire Department. Brothers in Battle will be there with our VES and both Basic and Advanced classes. Registration is open now.
Books/articles discussed:
What Does It Mean to Be a Quiet Professional? By Rob Shaul
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
The Murder of the Impossible by James Greenwood
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 7: Curt Isakson
"Since he died, I have been obsessed. That might be a bad word, but I have been."
Curt Isakson is a 28 year veteran of the fire service, a Battalion Chief at Escambia County Fire & Rescue, and a second generation firefighter. Curt is the owner of County Fire Tactics, a website resource for rural-to-urban firefighting. He's the driving force behind several incredible conferences, including High Rise Operations Conference, Command Officer Boot Camp, Water On the Fire, and the upcoming Leadership & Tactics Seminar. Chief Isakson is a passionate and renowned speaker, presenting at FDIC, Firehouse World, and Firemanship Conference PDX. Curt also owns the website www.firefighterrescues.com, which highlights the success of fire departments in saving civilian lives.
I had a blast talking with and learning from Curt. Our topics included the importance of team building, impetus for his mantras "It's Worth the Risk" and "Tactics Put Out Fires", the example and empowerment providing by his late father, Chief Roy Isakson, his support for the 7/8" smoothbore nozzle, and the LODD of his friend and co-worker Maurice Bartholomew and the impact it had on Curt's life and career. You can read Curt's tribute to his friend and the lessons learned
Regarding being "Picasso" on the nozzle: A Fading Art, "The Nozzle"
Books Discussed:
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 6: Travis Rask
"If you want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."
Travis Rask joins us on Episode Six of Refined By Fire. Travis is a firefighter with Snohomish District 7 FD in Washington, where he was served since 2008. He is a vocal advocate for barbell training in the fire service and an ardent supporter of the Starting Strength program. Travis was a contributor to the seminal Fire Service Warrior website/movement, and has been heavily involved with the Puget Sound FOOLS, including being awarded with their FOOL of the Year Award in 2016.
Our talk spends a lot of time on the importance of strength training, asking the following questions, among others?
- Why should firefighters make strength training the foundation of their physical fitness?
- How strong is strong enough in firefighting?
- How much should firefighters focus on conditioning?
We don't stop there, as we also discuss Travis' near death(?) experience in academy, one way to get good at throwing ladders, the Fire Service Warrior concept, and his time at North Carolina Breathing Equipment School.
Books discussed:
Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe
Peak and Road to Excellence by Anders Ericcson
Fearless by Eric Blehm
The Combat Position by Chris Brennan
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 5: Dena Ali
"If you're making it about you, then you're doing it wrong."
Dena Ali is our guest on Episode 5 of Refined By Fire . Dena is a 10 year veteran of the fire service -- having previously spent several years in law enforcement -- and serves as a Captain with Raleigh Fire Department. She's a board member for the incredible benevolence organization, the Carolina Brotherhood. She's an avid fitness junkie and an advocate with 5-5-5 Fitness. Dena is a prolific author and researcher, with over a dozen articles in national publications. Dena's writing niche comes in the form of conducting and/or studying academic research and then applying it to the fire service. Some great articles Dena has written that are discussed in the show:
Understanding Fire Service Suicide, the Key to Prevention
Awareness Level Firefighter Suicide Prevention
Also check out the November 2017 hard copy issue of Fire Engineering (Firefighter Wellness Supplement) for Dena's excellent article titled, Can Peer Support Prevent Firefighter Suicide? In this piece, Dena presents research by Dr. Thomas Joiner of Florida State University, including this theory:
PEER SUPPORT RESOURCES: Create, join, or receive peer support.
IAFF Behavioral Health Programs
Illinois Firefighter Peer Support
Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, PLEASE CALL (24/7):
Safe Call Now: 206-459-3020
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Seriously, these resources save lives. Please consider getting involved as a Peer Supporter in your department or region.
Books discussed:
The Last Men Out by Tom Downey
Podcast Referral:
Behind the Shield Podcast: Episode 39, Dustin Hawkins
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 4: Rob Fisher
"Excellence is established by example."
Rob Fisher is our distinguished guest for Episode 4 of Refined By Fire. Rob is a Lieutenant and Training Officer for Snohomish County District #7 FD and a 29 year veteran of the fire service. Rob is one of those passionate individuals who seems to be involved with everything. He serves as the Education Trustee for the F.O.O.L.S. International, has been involved with the Puget Sound F.O.O.L.S. for over fifteen years, is an FDIC presenter (check out his class, Quint Considerations for the Single-Truck Suburban Department), and serves as an instructor for the Washington State Fire Academy and Brothers in Battle.
We cover a lot of ground in our talk. We move from talking about his experiences in NYC post-9/11, the Oso Mudslide, overcoming disappointment during our careers, the LAFD Leadership Academy, and the importance of humility as an instructor. Oh, and wine. When you talk with Robbie, you better believe wine is going to come up at some point.
Books and articles discussed:
Followership by Barbara Kellerman
Fire Prevention and Fire Extinction by James Braidwood
Onward by Howard Shultz
So You Want To Be a Fireman? by Chad Berg
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Menavailable under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 3: Brian Yonkin
“You can do your job here, and it’s f-ing awesome.”
Brian Yonkin is a third-generation firefighter working in Harrisburg, Pa, where he’s currently the driver of Tower 2. Brian is a part of the team which created and continues to run the Art of Firemanship Days training conference, and serves on the editorial board of the excellent Art of Firemanship Journal.
In our talk with Brian, we covered a lot of ground. We discuss fitness for firefighters (5/3/1), the idiosyncrasies of fighting fires in rowhomes, how his time as a kitchen manager prepared him for life in the fire service, The Lessons are in the Ring, and the Four Pillars of his life and how he manages them to achieve balance and success.
Books mentioned by Brian:
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Third Circle Theory: Purpose Through Observation
Books mentioned by Stephen:
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This podcast features the song “Spray Paint it Gold”, by Little Glass Men, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Episode 2: Ted Corporandy
“You know what I wanted to do when I was in the business? I wanted to survive.”
Ted Corporandy is our guest on Episode 2 of Refined By Fire. A thirty-six year veteran of the fire service, Chief Corporandy spent the majority of his career in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, fighting fire out of some of America’s busiest firehouses. Ted is the the co-founder of the visionary web magazine FireNuggets, the first of its kind for the fire service. Retiring from SFFD in 2006 as a Battalion Chief, Ted remains a highly influential figure in the fire service, both through his own direct contributions and through those who have been influenced by him.
In this talk, we touch on Chief Corporandy’s experiences as a young wildland firefighter, navigating fire service traditions, the Gorter Nozzle, fighting fire in the Tenderloin, the importance of empathy, the value of social media for the 21st Century firefighter, and lots more. Chief Corporandy was extremely gracious to spend the time with us and we’re excited to the share it with you!
Chief Corporandy's article on tradition:
Tradition: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Books mentioned by Chief Corporandy:
Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics