Join a raw conversation on this episode of the Scrap, We’re going live with Captain Mike Bernard from Arbor Vitae Fire in Wisconsin. it was a blast as we fielded the audience questions, shared our thoughts, and connected with a community that’s all about growth and change. Mike’s brought a wealth of wisdom on mentorship, urging us to lift up new firefighters instead of tearing them down. He shared the origin story of the Inglorious Bastards and dove into the anti-hero movement shaking up the fir...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 38 min
We’re beyond excited to welcome the remarkable Rob Ramirez, one of the most inspiring and knowledgeable figures in the field, to join us for a can’t-miss conversation. This episode, we’re diving deep into the world of creating artificial stress in training environments—a critical topic for anyone passionate about high-performance training. We’ll break down what the fire service is getting right, shine a light on areas that still need work, and explore why Rob’s iconic mantra, “If you can’t truck...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 34 min
Joined on this episode by one of the original... one of the OG guests of the Scrap and I am excited for the conversation! We plan to talk about a lot of small-unit leadership! How the fire service has an obligation to invest in it's company officers and what we are getting wrong and right! Of course the audience as always, will have a lot to say about the direction of the conversation... I look forward to another amazing Scrap!!!
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Jonathan Brumley, and I was very excited for the conversation! Jonathan put up with me bouncing his scrap all around to different dates, but he stuck with me and we made it happen. We talk about the challenges of advancing big lines, training methodologies, getting out of the firehouse and training in your district... the difference between goals and dreams and so much more! All of this plus everything that the amazing live audience threw our way!...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Joined this week by the one and only Tina Humston, we discuss training, training and more training... where her passion comes from and how to keep it focused. We will dive into the challenges of running a local conference and the lessons learned. We discuss a lot about being a female firefighter... And as always the discussion was driven by the awesome questions from the audience!!!!
May 28, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Joined this episode by the one and only Jason Joannides! I was excited for the conversation and it did not disappoint. We talked about acquired structures, setting them on fire and the challenges involved when training in them. We also got to dive into aspects of truck culture and how to build it (try not to eat the crayons) and of course... all the awesome questions that the audience threw our way!
May 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Join us on this episode as America's Fire Chief, Scott Thompson and Rob "F'n" Fisher celebrate the milestone of reaching number 300! I had no idea what was going to happen, I just knew that it was going to be a lot of fun! I was nervous, I was excited, and it did not disappoint!!!!!
May 12, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Joined on this episode by Uncle Ray himself, Mr. Smoothbore Santa... keep fire in your life.... Ray McCormack!!! It was an awesome episode as we dive into nozzles, and what it takes to design your own signature series nozzle. We talked about his projects and get a sneak preview of what he will be releasing soon!!! And of course everything that the audience threw at us, which was a lot!!!!! It was an amazing episode... enjoy!!!
May 08, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Joined for this episode from the future once more, my brother from down-under... the one and only Gerard Mann. We had an amazing conversation that covered a broad range of topics! We discussed the importance of getting outside your walls, the importance of education. Passion vs. Education and the traps involved. The downside of being right and angry. The importance of simplicity... and so much more... of course none of the planned topics include all of the excellent questions that the audience t...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Anthony Avillo! We discussed the release of his newly updated book... Fireground Strategies 4th Edition. It promised to be a good episode and we deep dove into gaining better control of an escalating fireground. The differences between exterior and interior size-up. The modern fire environment plus so much more! Of course as always, the audience took over and had a huge part to say in what was discussed as they throw their awesome questions our way! Enj...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Joined by the one and only Dr. Benjamin, and it was a fun discussion. We talked about so much when it comes to leadership, and the dive was much deeper than all the normal cliché buzzwords. Experience Vs. Wisdom. The Ego trap. The real cause of Burnout! Devastating the morale. How damaging intentions can be... all of this was on the agenda plus everything that the audience threw our way. It was an awesome time!!!!
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Cody Trestrail... he currently holds the record with the #1 most listened to Scrap of all time! You do not want to miss him coming back once more... we discuss all things about the upcoming Firemanship conference... and then move onto his passion and what drives him! His six musts for THEM.... and of course... everything that the audience threw his way!
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 52 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Chris 'Dragon' Scott. I was excited about this conversation because the planned topics were off the charts!! The journey of passion. How taking action leads to opportunity. the unbelievable power of relationships and what can be accomplished when you reach out to humble brothers and sisters. All of this and of course the great questions that the live audience completely destroyed with!!!!
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Steven Shaffer and it promises to be an awesome discussion! We start off by having Chief Shaffer talk about the Beacon Street LODD fire and the lessons learned. then we shift gears and talk about Steven's mindset towards training, training, and more training! Peer support and how to handle the tough-times when they come along. He has a unique perspective and there is a lot of value in what we discussed!
Mar 26, 2025•59 min
Joined on this episode by one of the first ten guests of the Scrap... Mr. Fire Inside himself... Marc Aloan. It was an amazing episode as we dep dive into followership and craftmanship and the decline of the importance of tenure in modern society. We discuss Dunning/Kruger and how it plays a part. Impact Vs. image and which one does your department care about? Quality Vs. Quantity and how it goes into everything including calls and our approach to personnel. It promises to be an awesome discussi...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Keith Stakes! It was an amazing show!!!! We discussed research, research, research and how effective our operations are! The audience absolutely brought the questions for this one and it led to an amazing, amazing discussion as Keith absolutely crushed them! If you like data and you like tactics, then this is the Scrap for you!
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Nick Papa and I am super excited for all that we got to discuss. We talked about how to make an impact in your organization. How to shift the paradigm and the importance of setting your new people up for success. How to build a legacy for your department that you can be proud of... and as always there was the the amazing questions and topics brought up by the audience!!!
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Chris Sleigher and I am excited for the conversation. We discuss the power of relationships and networking in the fire service and the impact he has made along the way. From Fire by Trade to Fire Nuggets and everything in between! Not to mention we dicuss throwing water around and nozzle work! All of this plus the great questions from the audience along the way!
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Joined on this episode by four of the big players involved in the Lullwater fire of 2014. We deep dive into the events of that fire and the ensuing Mayday and near miss. How it was handled and the lessons learned. You do not want to miss this one because it is soooo good! We look forward to seeing you all live this Monday evening, February 17th... live on YouTube at 8pm cst!!!!
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 36 min
Joined on this episode by my friend and mentor, the one and only Dena Ali. We plan to discuss her new book "Hope Out Of Darkness", and the impact it has already had. We will be digging into mental health and the fire service. You know we will be diving down some rabbit holes! Of course the main discussion was driven by the wonderful questions from the audience, and Dena absolutely crushed it in her answers! This one has some great insight, enjoy!!!
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Jimmy Davis and it was a good one! We discussed the culture and value of training, aligning priorities, how to assess your mindset. The 10 factor error reduction... Input vs. output... and all of this barely scratched the surface of what he wanted to come on and discuss. Of course got wonderfully derailed by the beautiful questions from the audience. Enjoy the episode!!!
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Joined on this special (unplanned episode) by none other than PJ Norwood. We have a whole lot to talk about including his story of donating life to a friend, and why we are spreading the word. Of course it is PJ Norwood so there was a lot of tactics, and why we should stop believing and start knowing. Fire behavior was on the agenda... plus as always... everything the audience threw our way!
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Joined on this episode by none other than uncle Don himself! I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint! Another great conversation as we discussed the power of the little things. The importance of building relationships, and of course the lessons he has learned throughout his life. It was an amazing ride, and that does not even include all of the great questions that the audience threw our way.
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Joined on this episode by one of the most influential mentors in my life, especially on the topic of leadership. We planned to discuss leadership, no matter what level of the organization you are in. How to not only survive, but also thrive in a toxic atmosphere. How to develop a high performance team. The power of letting your people be heard. All of this was on the agenda, and of course was thrown wildly off-course by the wonderful questions from the audience as they drove the show! It was an ...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Joined on this episode by one of the hardest workers I have met. John Velez of Tailboard Misfits. We talk about the mission of bringing value to the fire service. His journey and missteps along the way. The power of shared experiences as well as shared suffering. And the impact of good conversations, and why it is so hard to have them in the modern social media fueled world. All of this is of course what was planned and was beautifully derailed by the awesome questions from the audience!
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only James Geering. he is the host of the Behind the Shield podcast which has over 1000 episodes and going strong. We plan to discuss his new book "Kinder" and of course when you talk to James you are going to get straight talk about Mental health and first responders. We discuss shift-schedules as well as all of the brilliant questions that come from the audience each and every week.
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Joined on this episode by one of my favorite Chief's, also the author of one of the books that was foundational in starting Firehouse Vigilance, none other than Chief Rick Lasky. It is our annual end of year show (this is year two and I plan to keep it going as long as he is willing)! We discuss the concepts of Pride & Ownership and how the timeless principles have stood the test of time as well as what has changed about the job. It was an amazing and fun as well as introspective show, which...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Joined on this episode by the one and only Dr/Chief David Griffin. it was an amazing Scrap as we discuss the topics of Resiliency, toxic leadership, mental health, Excellence, Leadership, Growth, Overcoming Adversity, Tragedy, Triumph, Culture and Mindset... and that does not even include the questions and comments that the audience brought! It is an amazing episode with a strong finish that left me at a loss for words.
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Joined once again by the incomparable Aaron Fields to have another amazing discussion about his mindset and philosophies towards training. His methodologies, how they were developed and why he is so adamant in their application. We get to discuss linguistics, and its impact on the Fire service, as well as every topic the audience threw our way! If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Aaron Fields and I was super excited for this episode!
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Joined on this episode by none other than Chris Gilpin! We talk about a lot of different topics and the most important one is of course training! We discuss the history of training from his perspective and how we have arrived at the place where we are. The things we are getting right as well as what we could be doing better. The incident that changed his perspective on training.... and of course the best laid plans of me and the guest are always waylaid by those beautiful questions from the audi...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 19 min
