Firefighter.WTF dives into the real stories, raw lessons, and absurd moments from life in emergency services. From chaotic calls and leadership breakdowns to gear talk and dark humor—if it happens on the fireground or in the firehouse, it’s fair game. 🚒 Real talk. 🔥 Tactical insights. 🤬 Zero sugarcoating.
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Fireground Tactics Podcasts
Fire Engineering Magazine’s been devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877. Listen to our lineup of podcasts featuring hosts from around the fire service.
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The Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast provides a platform to prepare performance leaders to navigate the moral, mental, emotional, intellectual and physical rigors in high-risk and ultra-competitive settings by developing strength of mind, body, character and critical thought.
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Women in Fire: Peer Support, Therapy, and Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Service
1:02:56
1:02:56
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Women in Fire: Peer Support, Therapy, and Mental Health Awareness in the Fire Service In this episode of the Women in Fire podcast, host Lisa Baker explores mental health challenges faced by firefighters and first responders. Baker welcomes guest Taylor Montey, a lieutenant with Poudre Fire Authority, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Julie Nelson, a …
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Talkin' Tactics: Mentorship, Mindset, and Stigma in the Fire Service
1:00:07
1:00:07
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Talkin' Tactics: Mentorship, Mindset, and Stigma in the Fire Service In this episode of Talking Tactics, hosts David Polikoff and Sam Villani and welcome guest Bryan Riley to explore the realities of stepping into leadership roles in high-pressure, busy fire companies. Riley shares his journey from volunteer to seasoned company officer and battalio…
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Hooks and Hoses: The Nontraditional Truck Company
1:08:30
1:08:30
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Hooks and Hoses: The Nontraditional Truck Company In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman talks with guests Jim Silvernail and Arthur Ashley about their new release from Fire Engineering Books, The Nontraditional Truck Company. Challenging conventional engine-based firefighting, the authors explore how truck company operations—search, v…
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Generation Engine: Lessons from Conferences and Instructor Insights
1:07:45
1:07:45
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Generation Engine: Lessons from Conferences and Instructor Insights In this episode of Generation Engine, hosts Anthony Rowett and Todd Edwards talk with guest Sean Duffy about the rapidly growing world of firefighter training conferences. They cover their grassroots efforts to bring impactful, hands-on education to local and national fire communit…
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Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service
1:00:37
1:00:37
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Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service In this episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders tackle the urgent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) alongside the complex realities of human trafficking. Monte Frank, a firefighter and emergency manager, shares the deeply personal story of hi…
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The Command Post: Tools, Tradition, and the Firefighter's Mindset
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The Command Post: Tools, Tradition, and the Firefighter's Mindset In this episode of The Command Post, Hosts Rick Lasky and John Salka take a meaningful look at the essential tools of firefighting, their care, and the knowledge behind them. From the iconic halligan’s origins in the FDNY to evolving equipment like hydraulic “rabbit” tools, they disc…
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The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Turning a Volunteer Fire Department Around
1:11:56
1:11:56
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The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: Turning a Volunteer Fire Department Around In this episode of the Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill welcomes Chief John Buchan of the Florissant (CO) Fire Protection District. Buchan shares how he turned a struggling volunteer fire department around in just one year—doubling members…
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The Backstop Boys: The Lifesaving Power of Fire Codes
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In this episode of The Backstep Boys, Ron Kanterman, Tom Aurnhammer, and fire protection expert Jack Murphy explore the critical role fire codes and standards play in firefighter safety and building resilience. From the origins of the International Fire Code to the political challenges of code updates, they unpack why these regulations matter beyon…
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Fireground Strategies: Insights on Division Supervision, Training, and Fire Dynamics
1:04:47
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Fireground Strategies: Insights on Division Supervision, Training, and Fire Dynamics In this episode of Fireground Strategies episode, Battalion Chief Patrick Wirkus, of the Elizabeth (NJ) Fire Department, shares practical strategies for improving fireground command through effective division supervision. Drawing on 13 years of frontline experience…
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Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of “Why”
1:13:47
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Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of “Why” In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Stephen Shaw sits down with leadership expert Frank Viscuso to explore the foundations of teamwork within the fire service. Drawing on decades of experience, they discuss how a shared sense of purpose, clear standards, and authe…
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Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities
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Fire Service Court: Religious Rights, OSHA Rules, and Operational Realities This episode of Fire Service Court covers several topics that may have your department talking. The conversation addresses the complex and often contentious issue of facial hair policies in fire departments. The discussion centers around a recent case involving a veteran fi…
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Revisiting Tribe with Journalist, Author and Filmmaker Sebastian Junger
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“Thrilling” and “thought-provoking” are just two words to describe the work produced by our guest in this episode. Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, science and experience tells us about the ability to endure hardship and how to navigate our current cultural ter…
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Mayday Monday: Rescuing a Heavily Entrapped Firefighter
2:07:42
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Welcome to the June 2025 edition of Mayday Monday. This month we review a fire from St. Mary’s County, Maryland. On June 27, 2023, several departments were dispatched for a fire in a two-story, single-family dwelling. The chief of the first-due fire company was first to arrive on scene and found heavy fire conditions on the first and second floors …
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Fire Service Data and Tech Talk: The Path Forward with Tom Jenkins
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The Path Forward with Tom Jenkins In this episode of Fire Service Data and Tech Talk, host Eddie Buchanan welcomes Tom Jenkins, senior advisor/research manager for UL Fire Safety Research Institute on the NERIS project. They discuss the transformation of fire service data collection and technology through the National Emergency Response Information…
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Main Street Firefighting: Lessons from a Complex Main Street Fire
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Main Street Firefighting: Lessons from a Complex Main Street Fire In this episode of Main Street Firefighting, get an inside look at a challenging downtown fire involving legacy brick buildings with cockloft involvement—fueled by heavy winds and complicated by unique building features like spiral staircases and metal roofing. The department’s rapid…
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Fire and Training: Building High-Performance Teams
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In this episode of Fire and Training, host Doug Cline breaks down the core elements needed to build and sustain high-performance teams. Leadership here isn’t about titles or rank—it’s about clear purpose, strong communication, and unwavering accountability. Cline highlights seven key characteristics, from fostering open dialogue to cultivating trus…
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The Larry Conley Show: Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Service in the Fire Service
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Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Service in the Fire Service In this episode of the Larry Conley Show, host Larry Conley welcomes recently retired Arlington County (VA) Deputy Chief Tiffanye Wesley. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of a firefighting career and life beyond the fireground. Reflecting on decades of breaking barriers, mentorshi…
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The Mikey G and Mikey D Show: Firefighter Operations in High-Rise and Big-Box Structures
1:22:39
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The Mikey G and Mikey D Show: Firefighter Operations in High-Rise and Big-Box Structures Hosts Mike Dugan and Mike Gagliano talk with a panel of fire service experts about the Firefighter Air Coalition supplement in Fire Engineering, and their respective articles that cover the complexities of firefighting operations concerning high-rise buildings …
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Reflections in Command - Coffee with Jim Roussell USMC/Chicago PD
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In this conversation, LUF's senior mentor Jim Roussell, USMC(Ret) and Chicago PD (Ret) candidly discusses leadership in mission-oriented organizations. He reflects on the courageous actions of his U.S. Marines and their Iraqi allies in Fallujah. Jim also shares lessons that he learned during various chapters of his career as well as key takeaways f…
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First Due Battalion Chief: Building Hazards and Response Strategies
1:01:25
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First Due Battalion Chief: Building Hazards and Response Strategies Seasoned firefighters Danny Sheridan and Erik Pettaway discuss the challenges presented by void spaces in residential and commercial buildings. Drawing insights from Frank Brannigan's seminal work, Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service, the hosts highlight critical…
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Women in Fire: Mental Health in the Fire Service
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Women in Fire: Mental Health in the Fire Service In this episode of the Women in Fire radio show, hosted by Lisa Baker, leading voices from the fire service engage in a critical discussion on mental health, coinciding with National Mental Health Awareness Month (May). The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing mental health challenge…
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Talkin’ Tactics: Mastering Engine Company Operations
1:12:23
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Talkin’ Tactics: Mastering Engine Company Operations In this episode of Talkin’ Tactics, hosts David Polikoff, Robert "RJ" James, and Sam Villani discuss the essential components of engine company operations. Drawing from their extensive experiences in the fire service, they discuss the critical importance of promptly putting water on the fire and …
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Tactical Impact: The Essential Role of Air Replenishment Systems
1:14:24
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Tactical Impact: The Essential Role of Air Replenishment Systems In the latest episode of Fire Engineering's Tactical Impact, host Jim Silvernail and Jason Hoevelmann welcome guests Mike Gagliano and Kris Blume to explore the transformative role of firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS) in modern firefighting. As fire departments face increas…
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Hooks & Hoses: Mastering Fireground Size-Ups
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Hooks & Hoses: Mastering Fireground Size-Ups In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, expert fire service professionals explore the fundamental strategies for conducting effective size-ups during emergency responses. Building on experiences from the recent FDIC International, the discussion focuses on best practices for initial and ongoing fireground comm…
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BuildingsonFire: Row House Challenges, Part 2
1:12:47
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BuildingsonFire: Row House Challenges, Part 2 In this episode, host Christopher Naum discusses how intricate dynamics of firefighting within row house structures are explored. He covers several lethal incidents from 2014 to 2023, which resulted in 11 line-of-duty firefighter deaths, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by these common yet comple…
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The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: The Younger Generation of Firefighters
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The Professional Volunteer Fire Department: The Younger Generation of Firefighters Often labeled “the problem” with today’s volunteer fire service, the young people joining the ranks today are different from generations past. But that is true of every generation, and these young men and women are NOT the problem. Yes, there are some problems and se…
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