Join Nick and Sean with our friend and guest, Dep. Chief (ret.) Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara (CA) County Fire Department. The crew unpacks some practical tools in this banger of an episode talking all things leadership! From new members to company officers to chief officers of all ranks, this episode hits on the needed traits, skills and the challenges faced at each respective level. Steve drops some insight into what it takes to be an effective leader and how to navigate the organizati...
Aug 22, 2023•2 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 38
This is the episode you've been searching for (see what I did there). Seriously though. Dustin Martinez of Cobb County (GA) FD and Reformation Training absolutely lays down the gauntlet when it comes to search and rescue in this full-throttle, tactics heavy episode. This is blue-collar, firehouse table style learning at its best! (Disclaimer: no paramedics were harmed in the making of this episode)
Aug 01, 2023•2 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 37
2 hours of laughs, passion and knowledge with the one and only, Jake Barnes. Jake is the Battalion Chief of Training at the New Albany (IN) Fire Department, is an instructor with ISFSI having taught multiple times at the FDNY's "The Rock" and has instructed at numerous fire conferences around the country including FDIC. Jake is also the host of the 3 Point Firefighter Podcast. This conversation lays down the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful as an instructor, the pitfalls and obstac...
Jul 28, 2023•2 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Our good friend and all-around badass fireman, Devin Craig joins the show to spread the cure to the masses. Devin is a Captain in the FD in the Houston (TX) metro area and has been doing work for the past 20 years. He brings a level of passion, humor and tenacity that's evident from the moment you meet him. In this episode we discuss the Train or Die group (which he is co-founder of), his Lazy to Leader class, the importance of discipline, dedication and drive in the fire service. Finally, we di...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Sean and Nick welcome our good buddy and all-around badass fireman, Wyatt McCall to the show to dive into building performance-based culture, the importance of attitude, leadership at the company level and the criticality of having a training mindset on the job. This unfiltered, raw conversation is just what the doctor ordered to get your batteries charged up and get you motivated to keep crushing it in your firehouse!
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 56 min•Season 3Ep. 34
We welcome our good friend and lover of all things forcible entry, Robert (RJ) James to Episode 33 for a fast-paced, fun (ok...seriously it was a blast!) conversation on all things forcible entry. RJ is a Lieutenant with the Frederick County (MD) Fire-Rescue and a lead instructor with Capitol Fire Training. In this episode we discuss conventional, gas-powered and thru-the-lock forcible entry, tactical size ups, gas powered saws and more! The importance of forcible entry cannot be overstated. For...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 57 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Oshkosh (WI) FD fireman and Old-Fashioned FOOLS President Rick Guerra joins the show to share his journey from a young Milwaukee (WI) fireman to an Aurora (CO) jake, and then finally back home to Wisconsin again. We discuss lateral entry and how it has impacted the fire service. We chat about training, health and fitness. We dive into the FOOLS and what they represent. Rick discusses what the FOOLS have meant to him and his career development, as well as the opportunities provided by the FOOLS t...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Season 3Ep. 32
We were stoked to welcome Lt. Tyler Whitfield of Clearwater (FL) Fire-Rescue to the show. The crew discuses several topics including the importance of building a the proper mindset towards training, challenges of being a new company officer, and finally a snapshot look at Tyler's new class "The Grab Factory" (not to be confused with "The Grab Lab" which I (Nick) inadvertently called Tyler's class during the show (Sorry Dustin and Nick L). This was a truly great conversation centered around lovin...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Season 3Ep. 31
We were honored to have special guest John Spera of South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue and Fit to Fight Fire on the show to discuss his journey in the fire service. We dive into fitness and its importance and impact on the fire ground. We discussed mental and emotional health. We dive into the lateral entry hiring and the opportunities and challenges that go with it. Finally, John and Nick share the impact their faith has had in shaping their lives and careers. This is a real look at the pillars of an...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 30
In this episode we welcome our good friend and mentor, Jason Liska to the show to discuss training and mentoring new and experienced members. We also dive into how culture influences our expectations, training and mentorship. Finally, the crew takes a look at recruitment and retention in the fire service. Make no mistake, this episode pulls no punches and is raw, unedited and maybe even a little uncomfortable at times. However, it is a needed conversation about some of the hardest challenges fac...
Apr 17, 2023•2 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Jonathan Brumley of Denver (CO) Fire Department joins the show to discuss engine company operations. This episode is jam packed with excellent discussion on hose loads, engine company mindset, nozzles, nozzle reaction, and what it takes to be a successful engine firefighter. Jonathan hones in on attack packages and medium diameter hose in particular discussing training, hose line management and tips for successfully implementing the "big line" on your fireground. If you're assigned to the engine...
Mar 24, 2023•2 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Sean and Nick welcome special guest Battalion Chief and Owner/Lead Instructor with Insight Training LLC, Andy Starnes to the show to discuss all things thermal imaging. This fast paced, highly informative episode takes a hard look at one of the most important, yet often underutilized tools on the fireground. Andy absolutely takes us to school with over 2 hours of knowledge, experience and passion! From technical information to tactical use and operational suggestions, to training concepts this e...
Feb 22, 2023•2 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Join Sean and Nick as they welcome training officer Brian Weigle of the Elmira Heights (NY) FD to the show. We discuss what it takes to run a training event. We also dive into training, culture, recruitment and retention specifically in the volunteer and/or combination setting. The team dives into the "why" behind these factors and how they impact our departments, our members and our very mission. Finally, we discuss engine work and what that means in low-staffing situations. Hopefully you have ...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Sean and Nick welcome Steve Kimker of the Richmond Heights (MO) FD and the founder and owner of Rescue Redefined training cadre to the show to discuss stabilization, extrication, new vehicle construction, tactics, training and the emergence of electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery technology and their impact on the fire service. This episode is jam-packed with incredible information, tactical considerations and techniques that work! Grab a drink (or two) and get ready to get your learn on!...
Jan 09, 2023•2 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Season 3 is kicking off with a splash! Sean Eagen of the Buffalo (NY) Fire Department joins the show to discuss the importance of truck work on the fireground, truck tactics, positioning, truck company priorities and maximizing your training in a knowledge packed first episode of the new year! I've even been told it's ok if engine jakes listen in too (hey, he rode an engine for a few years!). So don't dismay if you're not an official "truckie"! Seriously though, give this episode a listen. You w...
Jan 06, 2023•2 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Buckle your seat belt and hold on tight! While this may be the longest episode ever recorded on the Make Due podcast (it happens!), make no mistake, this episode is a gloves-off, no bullshit, high octane episode from start to finish! Dru Goings (founder of Smoothbore Nation, co-founder of Rust Belt Jakes and Training Officer with the SEHNWU Joint Fire District in west central Ohio) shares his thoughts on fireground tactics, engine work, apparatus set up and culture as it pertains to the voluntee...
Dec 22, 2022•3 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Captain Marc Aloan (West Columbia FD) of The Fire Inside and Rust Belt Jakes joins Nick to discuss suburban fireground operations, leadership and culture. The discussion starts out discussing some hot button topics in regard to water supply, nozzle selection, attack packages, search, and traditional truck work for the suburban engine company. Numerous tactical considerations and strategies are discussed in depth. The crew then examines leadership at the company level including what works, what d...
Dec 13, 2022•2 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Battalion Chief Randy Feltner shares his story of surviving cardiac arrest on duty to overcoming all the challenges along the way to get back on the job. This episode takes a hard look at health, fitness, diet, sleep, and training mindsets in the fire service and how they all affect our long-term quality of work and life experiences and expectations. Randy offers his unique perspective on these issues and gives some heartfelt advice to listeners in a truly candid conversation about one of the ma...
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 55 min•Season 2Ep. 21
WARNING: SERIOUS WATER NERD TALK AHEAD! This is a MUST LISTEN episode if you are serious about taking your pump ops/water supply game to the NEXT LEVEL! If you're looking for legit water supply information this is the episode for you. This episode is jam-packed with tons of technical knowledge, tactical conversations, and real-world, experience- driven operational considerations. Additionally, we were honored to have Brian Weigle from the Elmira Heights (NY) Fire Department on the show to discus...
Aug 11, 2022•2 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this episode, Mike Dugan (FDNY ret.) joins the show to discuss the importance of training and solid truck work. The crew examines tactics especially in limited staffing scenarios. We also dive into firehouse culture and tips for new officers. Finally, we give a tip of the hat to our cherished traditions and the best damn job in the world. Grab your beverage of choice and dive on in!
Jul 14, 2022•2 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 19
David Woodward of Lake Ozark (MO) Fire Protection District, One Warrior LLC and founder of Revolutionary Fire Tactics at the Lake joins the show to discuss the excitement building around the 5th annual Revolutionary Fire Tactics at the Lake. The crew also discuss the ins and outs of running a successful event, fireground tactics and strategies and challenges facing the suburban fire service including tactical priorities, training and recruitment/retention. David is a class act. You don't want to...
Jun 28, 2022•1 hr 53 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Sean and Nick sit down with Camden (NJ) FD Captain Bobby Eckert of Eckert Fire Training. The crew discusses the importance of realistic, relatable training, tactics and the training mindset in this gritty, fast-paced, real-world, street-proven conversation. This dialogue will hopefully challenge you to dig deep and consider whether what we are doing is indeed best practice and consistent with data driven and street-proven fireground operations. So, grab a drink and buckle up! Episode 17 starts n...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Sean and Nick welcome veteran firefighter/paramedic Adam Parkhurst of Euless (TX) FD. The crew dives into culture, training, human psychology and how it impacts our firehouses, and finally mental health issues in the fire service.
Jan 30, 2022•2 hr 10 min
Season 2 is coming in HOT!!! Join Sean and Nick as they welcome back to the show our first ever return guest, Anthony Avillo for the Make Due: Suburban Fireman Podcast Season 2 opener! This episode was absolute fire! We wanted to get back to our tactics heavy roots and boy did we ever?! The crew had some amazing operational discussions about building construction, fire behavior, tactics and strategies and training/preparation.
Jan 26, 2022•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 15
Join Nick and Sean as they bring the 2021 season to a close with the jam-packed episode talking passion, culture, mindset and firehouse problem solving with the one and only Chief Rick Lasky! The crew dives into the mindset of successful firefighters and picks Chief Lasky's brain for his advice for both new and seasoned firefighters and officers alike. You don't want to miss out on this one!
Dec 29, 2021•2 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Sean and Nick welcome Corley Moore of Firehouse Vigilance to the show to discuss fire service culture and the right mindset behind influencing positive cultural changes in your firehouse. If you are looking for great insight into what culture is and how we can influence it in a positive way within our respective departments, this is the episode for you!
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 53 min
Sean and Nick dive into the world of engine work with one of the coolest engine dudes around, Jay Bonnifield. This one is jammed packed with tactics, training, research and some damn good laughs. Remember: sharing is caring unless of course its an STD...then you're just a jerk.
Oct 30, 2021•2 hr 25 min
***Nick and Sean welcome special guest Eddie Steele for a down and dirty look at overcoming failures, challenges and obstacles on our journey to be the firefighters we swore we'd be. This no non-sense conversation is unapologetically passionate, honest and REAL. ***
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 51 min
Sean and Nick are back with special guest Joel Richardson of Escambia County (FL) Fire-Rescue. This episode is absolute fire! The crew talks tactics, training and the suburban mindset in raw, real and unadulterated fashion. Episode 10 is an in depth look at what works and what don't, engine tactics, truck tactics and everything in between!
Jul 17, 2021•2 hr 4 min
Nick and Sean welcome special guest Jeremy Sanders of Crew 1st Culture to the show to discuss the leadership in the trenches. We dive into some leadership principles that apply to officers and firefighters alike.
Jun 07, 2021•2 hr 3 min
