Episoder
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22 years of combination experience, 3rd generation Firefighter. A Second Lieutenant EMT with Colleton Fire-Rescue in South Carolina. Fire service runs deep within the Weber family. Shane started out as a junior volunteer FF before moving up and ultimately pursuing a full-time career position. Whatâs important throughout Shaneâs story is how even though they didnât know at the time they were giving him solid advice Shane looked at these individuals as mentors. Mentors have a powerful impact on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations, and contribute to overall feelings of belonging. Mentoring helps connect to an individualâs personal growth & development. One of my favorite parts is when Shane discusses the topic on Brotherhood and how the fire service showed up in full force when he needed it the most.
IG: sweber418
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12 years of combination experience. Backstep Firefighter for Rutherford County Fire-Rescue assigned to Station 60, Citizens First cadre instructor. Josh was going to school pursuing an education when he discovered the volunteer fire service. After a few years under his belt as Josh states he was hit by the âBugâ and fell in love. Doing some homework Josh found out he could live his dream full-time by going career. With that notion he applied and got on at a department in Kentucky but wasnât truly feeling fulfilled. He left and got on to Rutherford County where he truly felt his expectations were being met. Josh clearly states thereâs no ill will towards his former organization but sometimes you have to step back researching potential options, assessing cultural fit, and understanding the company's decision-making process. My favorite quote from him was âMaster the basic skill set to the point it looks advanced.â
IG: j_wheeler94
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30 years of combination experience, 3rd generation Firefighter. A Lieutenant with the FDNY on a truck company in East Harlem & creator of Top Floor Tactics podcast. Mickeyâs indoctrination into the fire service was during a time America as a whole were more united than ever. When you hear Mickey speak thereâs no denying the love he has for the profession. Fireman can sense BS a mile away. When one finds their true calling, they discover a sense of purpose and direction in life, often associated with a deep passion or talent they feel drawn to. It's a vocation that provides meaning and fulfills their inner sense of identity. This realization can be a profound and transformative experience. And Mickey Farrell exemplifies just that.
IG: topfloortactics
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Troy Gibson- 20 years of career experience. A Battalion Chief for Hawaii Fire Department. Troy was a surgical technician in the medical field and never had notions of the fire service. It wasnât until he had a discussion with a Firefighter that told him how the department works and what they could do to help accelerate his education which in return got Troy intrigued, where he then applied and the rest was history. I was able to gain insight about how Hawaii Fire works but also throughly enjoyed hearing Troyâs viewpoints on different topics we discussed. Hopefully you all can obtain the different gems and nuggets Troy drops throughout the interview. My favorite quote from him was âYou will mess up and be ok with that.â
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33 years of combination experience 3rd generation Firefighter. Battalion Chief for A shift in the 4th Battalion for the City of Durham Fire Department. Firefighting is in the bloodline for the Ray family so it was inevitable that Richard was going to gravitate towards it. Going career wasnât exactly what Richard planned but it was in his cards. If you ever get a chance to hear Richard speak when you do there is no doubt that he truly loves the job and wants anyone around him to be better versions of themselves. To get there one must find or seek out that mentor who can show you a side of yourself you didnât know existed. One of my favorite quotes from Richard is â If weâre going to be aggressive Firefighters, It canât just be lip service.â
IG: rhray
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Gary âYetiâ Bullock- 15 years of combination experience 2nd generation Firefighter. Captain on Engine 31 with Tulsa Fire Department in Oklahoma. Build your culture cadre member, Smoke diver graduate from Georgia and Oklahoma. At first glance Gary looks intimidating. 6â6 weighing in at 260 could have that effect on a man. Being quiet and keeping to himself make no doubt about it Gary is all in when it comes to the profession. What allured him in was the team aspect and being intentional when it comes to purpose. The goal was always Tulsa Fire Department but the road leading there made Gary realize the areas he needed to improve on. Gary spoke the truth when it comes to the job and Iâm sure most of you will agree upon listening. My favorite quote from him was âSometimes itâs not your ambition but whatâs best for the department.â
IG: gsd1039
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7 years of combination experience. A Engineer on Truck 1 with the City Of Salisbury. Christian always wanted to be a Firefighter. When you watch movies such as Backdraft and Ladder 49 itâs only apparent to live out your dreams and thatâs exactly what he did. Salisbury was ultimately where Christian wanted to be due to the positive reach and influence of social media. He wanted to go to jobs and thatâs where the jobs are. Christian has a huge love and passion for anything truck related and when you hear his responses to the questions I ask it just all makes perfect sense. My favorite quote from Christian is âYouâll never go from zero to hero.â
IG: lambis148
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27 years of career experience. Captain on Engine 6 with Nampa Fire Department who will be getting made as Battalion Chief in a few months. Most of Frankâs family is in the armed forces which is the path he thought he would also go down. But was always intrigued with the fire service. At a young age Frank obtained most of the certifications he needed and applied to Nampa and was accepted. Frank absolutely, whole heartedly loves the job and all aspects with it. Itâs easy to focus or harp on negative things within the service but whatâs the point? Stay focused on getting better and staying positive. Frank is a leader who believes leadership is an action word that also encompasses these 3 things: Communication, Trust & Competency.
IG: beauvaisfrank
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26 years of combination experience. A Captain On Truck 2 with Wichita Fire Department. Mark was a mechanic in the automotive industry and told himself he just doesnât see his future in this field. He had a friend tell him about a volunteer opportunity in the fire service within the county he lived. Once Mark joined he formed relationships and friendships with individuals within the fire service who were truly into being the best version of themselves. When Mark decided to go full-time career mode Wichita gave him his chance and once he got on his career speaks for itself. I truly hope the listeners tune and hone in on the truth Mark speaks. One of my favorite quote from Mark is â If youâre not going to be the guy to pull back the reigns donât be in LEADERSHIP.â
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17 years of career experience 2nd generation Firefighter. A Captain on Engine 4 with Norfolk Fire/Rescue. Kamal had zero intentions of becoming a Firefighter. During his junior year in college things werenât working out. His father told him if his plans didnât make he was going to become a Firefighter. His first day in recruit school on a lunch break Kamal was not feeling the journey he was in. But his mother told him do it for at least one week then they can both evaluate it. Fast forward to today and obviously things worked out for Kamal. One of the main gems that stood out in this interview was the fact that all Kamal needed was for someone to believe and show him the route he needed to go which laid down the ground work to where is now. My favorite quote from Kamal is âNo matter where you grew up or what you look like, If you want to do it there are avenues to do it.â
IG: rock_and_kim_son
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25 years of career experience. Division Chief of Training with The Colony Fire Department in Texas. Firefighting wasnât in the Garrett scope of practice but he had a friend invite him to come by the station and as many other guests Iâve had on once he entered in the halls of the fire house thatâs all he needed. The mindset Garrett has is a testament to who youâre around. If you are aspiring to be an Officer or current one regardless if itâs Company or Chief this is a MUST listen to if you want to grow as a better person whether it be father, mother, significant other or Firefighter. If youâre into the job after listening to this episode it will make you want to run through a wall due to how truthful Garrett speaks when it comes to how an organization should operate. One of my favorite quotes from Garrett is âIf you want a longer leashâŠ.TRAIN.â
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2nd generation Firefighter with 14 1/2 years of service with the FDNY who retired out of Rescue 3 and life member with Haverstraw Volunteer Fire Department in Rockland County NY. Jeff was one of 6 members that were forced to make a difficult decision on January 23, 2005 on what is known as the Black Sunday Fire. 2 of those members were killed instantly one passed away 6 years later and the 3 who survived would forever have their lives changed. Later on that day another Firefighter Richard Sclafani was also killed at a separate dwelling fire. The thing about surviving tragedy while a traumatic event can significantly impact a person, it doesn't fully encompass their identity or future potential. Acknowledging the impact of a tragedy is important, but it's also crucial to focus on the present and future, and to not let the past define the person's identity. Reaching out to trusted friends, family members, or professional help can be very beneficial during and after a tragedy. I would like for the listeners to hear Jeffâs story and the strong message he has behind it. In this profession donât ever think âIt canât happen here.â
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20 years of career experience, 2nd generation Firefighter. Assistant Chief with Cayce Fire Department in South Carolina and co-owner of Soda City Training. My conversation with Ryan was fantastic. Upon entering into the fire service he had individuals who were helping and guiding him in a way that he might not have caught onto just yet. When youâre young and in the fire service after a few years some begin to think they know it all when the individual hasnât even scratched the surface. Sometimes all it takes is one person to pull you aside and let you know youâre messing up to hopefully make you realize you need to change for the better. Ryan had one of those experiences that forever changed his outlook and continues to do so even today. I truly hope the listeners can take in and absorb some of the gems and nuggets Ryanâs dropping . One of my favorite quotes from Ryan is â You are what you check.â
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15 years of combination experience. Unknown to him until later 2nd generation Firefighter. At the age of 10 a grass fire accidentally started in front of his home. While his mother called 911 Nick filled up a bucket with water and extinguished the fire prior to the Fire Departmentâs arrival. He took a picture afterwards with one of the Firefighters who later on in life became the Chief of the volunteer organization he joined. That same Chief saw the potential in Nick and one day laid down an application for Wilmington Fire and told him thereâs opportunity for growth and pushed him to apply. After getting on Nickâs mindset never changed. Every time your on shift is a day to learn and experience something new. How Nick viewâs the fire service is how all should strive to achieve.
IG: shep8822 & pfhc25
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Franco Martinez- 31 years of combination experience. A Captain for Company 2 Tacoma Park with Montgomery County Fire/Rescue in Maryland. Franco wasnât seeking the fire service at first. It was a friend who essentially put him on and asked to come by and see what it was about. Once he did the smell of the bay and gear had Franco hooked and thatâs all he needed. While enlisted in the military, the road of law enforcement was presented but Franco knew the fire service was calling him. One of the quotes Franco dropped during his interview that definitely resounded with me was âWhen was the last time you practiced that skill?â
IG: franco26_99
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Dave Nowacki- 21 years of career experience. A Sergeant on Engine 50 with Detroit Fire Department, creator of 4th Man Fire. Dave isnât a legacy Firefighter. He never dreamed at a young age of joining the fire service. What got Dave into the profession was a friend who told him all the things he gets to do while on the job and he gets to do it all while working only 9 days a month. Yep he admits that 100%. But once he got in he was all in making sure he continues to be the best version of himself. Dave is very tradition and history based when it comes to the job. After hearing his experience and viewpoints youâll understand why.
IG: 4thmanfire
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26 years of career experience. Battalion Chief for City Of Mesa Fire & Medical Department. Chris actually wanted to be a police officer. While volunteering for a local sheriffs department he was able to meet Firefighters who explained to Chris the skills he had in mountain rescue most definitely translates to Fire Departments. With the being said the wheels started spinning for Chris and he applied to Phoenix & Mesa. Mesa was faster out the gate and Chris never looked back. I want the listeners to hear Chrisâs experience regarding the passion he has now didnât develop until later on his career and most importantly how the delivery you choose when exposed to new ideas you want to bring back to your own organization can have a negative effect if not done properly. Two quotes stuck out for me in our conversation. The first is â Risk is managed by competence.â & the second âValues dictate culture.â
IG: ffcrsleigher
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2nd generation Firefighter with 27 years of combination experience. Captain with The Training Division for Little Rock Fire in Arkansas. From an early age Bo watched his Grandfather operate as a volunteer. There were times when they were completing a task and a call comes in and his Grandfather would stop what he was doing to run the call and from there Bo knew he wanted to do just that. Bo applied everywhere he could around him until Little Rock called and gave him what he always dreamed of. From there he was surrounded with individuals he wanted to emulate but also learned from those that werenât into it as we would like. Climbing through the ranks an opportunity presented itself within the training division and Bo took it. Bo believes in accountability, standards, sweat and suffering. One of my favorite quotes from Bo is âIâve never regretted a workout.â
IG: engine.actual
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Joel Kanasky- 46 years of combination experience. Retired Firefighter from the FDNY who rode Rescue 1 for 16 out of his 20 year career. From a young age Joel knew he was destined to become a Firefighter following 3 of his 4 brothers who were volunteers. Joel started out with Alexandria FD moving up the rank of Lieutenant before deciding to switch departments after 9 years. The move wasnât easy but well worth it after listening to Joelâs experiences and the individuals who he had the pleasure of working along side with. My favorite quote from Joel is âCompany Officers have to be proficient in everything he expects his members to do.â
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45 years of combination experience. Retired Deputy Assistant Chief of the FDNY who has held many ranks within the organization including Chief of Fire Academy, Training & Safety. Currently Managing Director of the First Responder Center For Excellence which focuses on addressing crucial issues like firefighter cancer, mental health, and suicide. Frank started out as a volunteer Firefighter following after his brother. The FDNY was never on the radar but the individuals within the East Farmingdale Volunteer fire department changed his mindset when they would discuss different calls and aspects they experienced while on the job. And with that Frank applied at a young age, got on with the greatest Fire Department in the world and the rest was history. Frank attributes his success to the friends and mentors he surrounded himself with. One of my favorite quotes from Frank is â You can fool the spectators but not the players.â
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