26 years of career experience. Captain on Squad 18 with The Colony Fire Department in Texas. Adjunct instructor for the North Central Texas College fire academy, cadre member with Citizens First, Build Your Culture & Forge Fire & Company. Georgia Smoke Diver and assistant with Oklahoma Smoke Diver. From a young age Justyn knew he wanted to be in the service. Even though the fire service wasn’t on his mind he had a friend who put him in contact with the local Junior College where he lived...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 289
19 years of combination experience. Lieutenant with Effingham County Fire/Rescue in Georgia on Engine 9. Jennifer never grew up dreaming of becoming a Firefighter. She was a Medical assistant in the Oncology research department. One day while hanging with a friend she ran a call involving a child. After the call was over one of the Captain’s who responded asked her if she ever thought about joining the fire department. Fast forward to today when you hear Jennifer talk you can tell how switching ...
Jul 17, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 288
52 years of combination experience. Deputy Fire Chief with Loveland-Symmes FD in Ohio. Best Seller Published Author, Creator of The Secret List, Firefighter Close Calls & 40 plus fire. Involved with International Association of Fire Chief’s Safety, Health & Survival, Sept 11 Families, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, NIOSH & so many others. I can go on and on but there is no doubt Billy loves the fire service. From a young age once he was exposed there was no stopping him fro...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 287
Blake Cartee- 20 years of combination experience 3rd generation Firefighter. Captain on Truck 7 with Columbia-Richland Fire Services. Blake’s father wanted his brother and Blake to pursue a career in the medical field but from a very young age watching their father run calls & ride the rigs both of them wanted to get into the emergency services field. After having a friend of theirs mention to apply once they did there was no way they were looking back. Blake believes whether your career or ...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 286
Mark Combs- 30 years of combination experience. Battalion Chief in the 9th Battalion on B-Shift with Dallas Fire/Rescue. Kevin Jordan- 15 years of career experience. A Command Tech also with Dallas Fire Rescue who works right along side Mark Combs. A strong relationship can be bonded through the integration of work and faith by approaching your work and interactions with others from a biblical perspective. Both Mark and Kevin live out their faith at work by building meaningful relationships, fos...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 285
32 years of combination experience. 1st Firefighter in his family to go career. Retired from Fairfax Fire/Rescue with 20 years as a Firefighter from Bailey’s Crossroads station 10. Firefighter, former Fire Chief and life member with Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, former Ops Chief with Clearwater Fire Department in Florida & currently Fire Apparatus Manager/ Assistant Chief with Prince George’s County. Ricky gained a ton of experience while being a volunteer member in Prince George but i...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 284
17 years of combination experience 2nd generation Firefighter. A Captain on Engine 18 with Caldwell Fire Department in Idaho, President with Treasure Valley Fools & creator of March Mayhem Fire Conference. Gino got his start as a reserve FF for Sacramento City with the dream goal of becoming a Firefighter with Cal Fire. Once he was eligible Gino began applying anywhere he could to get a full-time career position. That prayer was answered when he got hired with Sacramento. But Gino began to r...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 283
22 years of combination experience. A retired Division Chief Of Training with Winter Park FD. Creator, founder & OG of Vent Enter Search, connoisseur of anything related to truck work. Growing up Jimm wanted to become a pilot in the armed forces but in life not everything is guaranteed to play out the way we would like. Jimm found the next thing best thing and for him it was the fire service. Once Jimm got his foot in the door it was all gas and no brakes. Surrounding himself with individual...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 282
30 years of combination experience. A Battalion Chief in the 1st Battalion for Anne Arundel County Fire on B-Shift. Brandon was attending college for an engineering degree when his living situation on campus wasn’t desirable. He turned to the local county Fire Department live-in program which allowed him to attend classes but also ended up being the best decision he made for his career. It was nothing for him and other individuals to run over 2000 incidents a year which most certainly has its po...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 281
39 years of combination experience. A Battalion Chief on B shift with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Doctorate of management in organizational leadership. I wanted Candice to come on and share her story of how and why she got into the fire service but also wanted her to preach on Organizational leadership challenges and issues within departments across the nation and she did not disappoint. Often, problems aren't solely the fault of one individual, but rather indicators of flaws in the organi...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 280
19 years of combination experience. A Captain with Buckhannon Fire-Rescue in West Virginia. Cadre member with Insight Fire Training and adjunct instructor for West Virginia University extension. Like many others I’ve been fortunate to interview Firefighting wasn’t on Joey’s radar. While in college and being apart of a community service group the fire service came into the picture and Joey went for it starting out as a volunteer and then transitioning to a career Firefighter within a year. During...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 279
35 years of career experience. Recently retired in May as Deputy Chief of Operations for Oklahoma City fire department. Growing up Mike didn’t have aspirations of being a Firefighter. It wasn’t until a friend of Mike began describing and explaining what the job entailed which got his friend into the profession with Mike following suit. Once he was in it was game over. Mike was fortunate to get a crew that showed him the true meaning of brotherhood and being a Firefighter. A bond of unity, mutual...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 278
Dr. Dave Mather- A retired Commander with 38 years of law enforcement experience 22 of those active. Owner and operator of What’s-a-Mather consulting where he goes around the world teaching organizations on deliberate leadership, culture change & public safety consulting. Dave has worked with more than 400 agencies around the world supporting public safety and the communities they serve. Yes you heard & read that right with law enforcement. Dave came highly recommended from Ricky “Esco” ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 277
Josh Watt- 6 years of combination experience. A Engineer with Converse Fire Department in Texas on Ladder 172. Josh never wanted to be a Firefighter. He was approached by a few who asked him a couple questions which he responded no to but as they kept prying they found one that intrigued him and got Josh to say yes to. The definition of Opportunity is a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Those circumstances within Josh’s life has got him to where he is today and I truly...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 276
40 years of combination experience with 27 of those being served with the FDNY. Retired Capt of Ladder 123. Mike started as a volunteer with Hailsite Fire Department in NY. Going career wasn’t on his mind as Mike was making very good money as a heavy machinery rigger. It wasn’t until a friend told him about career civil service that Mike then transitioned to being a Police Officer for a stint then moved on to Firefighting which the rest of his career speaks for itself. I throughly enjoyed listen...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 275
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. What’s important throughout Shane’s story is how even though they didn’t know at the time they were giving him solid advice Shane looked at these individuals as mentors. Mentors have a powerful impact on yo...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 274
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 “Bug” 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 wasn’t trul...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 273
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. Mickey’s indoctrination into the fire service was during a time America as a whole were more united than ever. When you hear Mickey speak there’s 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 associa...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 272
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 wasn’t 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...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 271
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 wasn’t 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 version...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 270
Gary “Yeti” 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. 6’6 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 c...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 269
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 it’s only apparent to live out your dreams and that’s 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 that’s where the jobs are. Christian has a huge love and passion for anything truck related and when y...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 268
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 Frank’s 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. It’s easy to focus or harp on negati...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 267
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 doesn’t 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 mod...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 266
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 weren’t working out. His father told him if his plans didn’t 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 to...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 265
25 years of career experience. Division Chief of Training with The Colony Fire Department in Texas. Firefighting wasn’t in the Garrett scope of practice but he had a friend invite him to come by the station and as many other guests I’ve had on once he entered in the halls of the fire house that’s all he needed. The mindset Garrett has is a testament to who you’re around. If you are aspiring to be an Officer or current one regardless if it’s Company or Chief this is a MUST listen to if you want t...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 264
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 Sclafa...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 263
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 you’re young and in the fire service after a few years some begin to think they know it all when the individual hasn’t even scratched the surface. Sometimes...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 262
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 Department’s 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 app...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 261
Franco Martinez- 31 years of combination experience. A Captain for Company 2 Tacoma Park with Montgomery County Fire/Rescue in Maryland. Franco wasn’t 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 that’s 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 qu...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 260
