In this episode, Pip and Ryan Conley discuss the importance of reducing cancer risks in the fire service and the need for improved gear and training. They highlight the challenges faced by firefighters, including the use of gear that contains carcinogens and the lack of awareness about the risks. Ryan shares his experience as a firefighter and his …

Jeremy and Mickey sit down together on the porch where the conversation revolves around the concept of firefighter IQ and the importance of deep understanding and thinking in the fire service. They discuss the need for firefighters to go beyond just performing repetitive tasks and instead focus on developing a deeper understanding of the job. They …

Retired Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo loves the fire service but a the Beatles and English rock certainly can compete. Anthony has had an extensive career that began early on with his first memories of the Tiller truck and Snorkel turning out for runs from his neighborhood firehouse. He found himself playing football, attending college and by chance,…

In today's episode of 'Frontline Mindset,' Rob sits down with Maia Brown from the Beltane Guild. They delve into Maia's influential career in the fire service and discuss the founding of the Beltane Guild. This episode is a must-listen for those starting a family in the fire service, as Rob and Maia also touch on important reproductive health issue…

In this episode, Pip and Gerard Mann discuss their friendship and the importance of living in the moment. They reflect on their past experiences together, including Gerard's visits to the United States and their shared love for the fire service. They also talk about the value of authentic relationships and the need to go beyond surface-level conver…

In this episode Jeremy and I sit down over a few cold beers to delve into the world of leadership and the critical traits and skills that define effective leaders in high-stakes environments, examine the concept of "Firefighter IQ," and discuss the ever-growing influence of social media on the firefighting community.…

For the past 21.5 years, Lt. Paramedic Jimmy Berry has enjoyed working in the busiest companies. His longest and most enjoyable stint has been with Truck 30, Orange County, FL Fire Rescue. When Jimmy reports to the firehouse each tour, the questions of "What adventure are we going to have today" tends to be their theme. Going to fires is the norm, …

Sometimes you meet people in the most peculiar way. Drew Schaumann currently possesses the 1 of 1 NFR hockey jersey that was worn at FDIC 2024 during the daily auctions in Firefighter's Row. He was the highest bidder for sweater, he was no going to lose. It wasn't so much being an NFR jersey, but rather the donation to furthering metal health aware…

In this episode, Pip and his guest, Mike Torres, discuss the importance of living in the moment and cherishing personal interactions. They reflect on their past experiences and the impact of their friendship. The conversation then shifts to Mike's weight loss journey and his decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. They discuss the challenges an…

During an interview in 2020, Jeremy and Mickey discussed the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the fire service. Mickey shared that he kept a journal and notes throughout his career, which inspired his Instagram posts. Jeremy emphasized the significance of providing practical tactics in his content, avoiding fluff, and focusing on …

Battalion Chief Tony Bratcher has doubled down on the fire service. His dedication and passion to his job shows through his understanding of paying it forward. He works hard to empower the people around him and he knows that in order to leave a legacy behind, it requires hard work and the next generation. Not only does he believe in educating those…

Jeremy sits down with some members of the Lower Township Fire District #2, Town Bank, NJ to discuss their 2022 Tower Ladder build from Fire and Safety Services, NJ. This new Pierce apparatus is the May featured truck in the 2024 Calendar project. A big part of understanding the apparatus builds is understanding the department and how they operate. …

Jeremy sits down with NFR podcast alum Kamron Gangbin and his two west coast Brothers, Jack Ayers and Joey Schuller. Backstage pass, passing the baton and preserving legacy in the fire service are all part of this conversation during FDIC 2024.Di Jeremy Donch and Robert Ridley

The Size Up Episode 67. FDIC by Jeremy Donch and Robert RidleyDi Jeremy Donch and Robert Ridley

Today Mickey discusses the purpose and role of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) or Fast Truck in firefighting. It traces the history of RITs and highlights the importance of understanding their main objective. The conversation emphasizes the need for RIT members to be proactive and engaged on the fire ground, rather than just standing by. Be passi…

In this conversation, Mickey interviews Zack Newton, an artist and firefighter, on the floor at the FDIC. They discuss the importance of the fire service, brotherhood, and the impact of social media on their lives. They also talk about the inspiration behind Zack's artwork and how it reflects the universal nature of firefighters. The conversation e…

On this episode of The Size Up Hannah discusses her background growing up with a firefighter father and her journey from studying veterinary medicine to becoming a firefighter herself. She shares how her experiences in the veterinary field have influenced her approach to the fire service and the importance of proactive thinking and independent deci…

In this episode, Pip celebrates the anniversary of his podcast and discusses the importance of consistency. He is joined by Chance Craven, a digital creator and former firefighter, who shares his journey into digital creation and photography. They discuss the evolution of social media and its impact on communication and relationships. Chance emphas…

In this episode of A View From The Top Floor, Mickey and Jeremy dive into “The Floor Above” discussing various questions that were submitted in regard to firefighting tactics and strategies.They address questions about searching above a fire without a charge hose line, the importance of focusing on strategies and tactics. They emphasize the need fo…

Lunch with Ray McCormack is always alot of fun. In person podcasts are always much more fun and when I have the opportunity to catch up with a friend, I jump at it. We recorded our time together while breaking bread and sharing a drink. The conversation is nothing more than that, a conversation between two friends. With or without the camera and mi…

Thomas J. Trzepacz is a highly experienced and dedicated professional currently serving as the Vice President of Sales & Customer Relations at Performance Advantage Company (PAC), a role he has held since April 2007. Located in Lancaster, New York, PAC specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-quality tool mounting brackets, with a primary fo…

TJ Prieur, a Frederick County, MD Firefighter, has come to understand who he is. This fascinating conversation discusses his journey, recognizing the traumas that influenced his life, and ultimately choosing the hard path to find peace and wellness. It took him a long time to figure out what he needed and more so, what he wanted out of life. Findin…

In this episode, Marcus and Stephanie share their experiences as a married couple working in the fire service and competing in Strongman competitions. Marcus discusses his journey in the fire service and how he got into Strongman, while Stephanie shares her background and motivation for joining the fire service. They both emphasize the importance o…

Running on the fire ground is a debatable topic in the firefighting community. Some argue that running is necessary in certain situations, while others believe it should be avoided. The key is to understand the tempo of each fire and act accordingly. Training to run on the fire ground without considering the flow state of the fire can lead to misgu…

In this episode, Mickey and Anthony discuss the importance of engine company pride and culture. They highlight the significance of maintaining traditions. They also emphasize the importance of cleanliness and taking pride in the rig. The conversation touches on the role of the engine and truck companies in firefighting tactics, including the coordi…

In this conversation, Chief Carl Bittenbender and Deputy Chief Scott Freedman discuss the design and build process of their new apparatus, Quint 2235. They highlight the challenges of a growing department and the need for apparatus that can adapt to changing needs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of designing a truck with a purpose and i…

Captain Ben Vernon from the San Diego Fire Department shares his experience of a violent incident on June 24, 2015, and the mental health challenges he faced as a result. The incident started as a routine call but quickly escalated, leading to a physical altercation. Captain Vernon reflects on the dangers of overconfidence and complacency in high-s…

In this episode, Pip pays tribute to his late friend Erin Varga and emphasizes the importance of giving back. He then chats with Sean Eagen about his DJing career and the challenges of the wedding industry. They also discuss their children's athletic pursuits and the ups and downs of being a sports fan. Sean shares his experiences as a captain in t…

Chance Craven has set out to capture the moments of those who give back as first responders. The founder of Honor Supply Co., his mission was simple, to Honor firefighters by sharing what they do - it's that simple. These intimate moments that he captures behind the lens might just be a pivotal time in ones life or the last photo ever captured of a…

Good beer, even better conversation. Mickey and Jeremy catch up and talk shop over a few cold ones.Di Jeremy Donch and Robert Ridley

In this enlightening episode of Frontline Mindset with National Fire Radio, we sit down with Lt. Chris Overpeck of the Terra Haute, Indiana, Fire Department, to delve into the milestones and reflections of his remarkable 30-year journey in firefighting. Starting his illustrious career in Gary, Indiana, before moving to Elkhart, and finally settling…

A Pennsylvania transplant to Florida, John Simpson, known better as "Bart" to his friends has had an incredible career in the fire service. With over 40 years in the job, his passion and commitment to the craft remains at a constant high. His early roots formed a passion for training and betterment of the job. Retied from the job, he continues to t…

In this episode, Pip interviews Thomas from the Burn Box. They discuss the challenges of running a small business and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. Thomas shares his experience of attending FDIC and the difficulties he faced in managing his booth. He also talks about his journey in the fire service and how it l…

Top Floor Tactics Episode 18. Truck Mindset vs. Truck Culture by Jeremy Donch and Robert RidleyDi Jeremy Donch and Robert Ridley

In this episode, Mickey Farrell discusses a new type of exposure problem when dealing with lithium-ion battery fires. He highlights three elements of these fires that are often overlooked: direct impingement, thermal runaway, and pressurized fire travel. Mickey emphasizes the importance of understanding these elements and how they impact firefighti…

Harrison, NJ is the March 2024 featured Department in the Fire and Safety Services, LTD. Calendar Project. This project features different fire departments across the State of NJ that were chosen to be featured in this joint project. As the NJ Pierce Mfg. dealership, apparatus were chosen to be highlighted on the calendar. Each apparatus has a hist…

Engineer Jennifer Osborne is fierce and committed. Her love for the fire service is trumped by her love of the process. This NJ native went all in, finding mentors who helped her find her way navigating a career she knew nothing about in Clark County, NV. Jennifer believes in the process and this is done through education which in her words is the …

In this conversation, Pip and Jen Depoto discuss various topics related to fitness, athletics, and giving back to the community. They reflect on their athletic journeys and the importance of body awareness and core strength. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of youth sports and the impact of CrossFit on youth fitness. Jen shares her exp…

In this episode, Mickey Farrell discusses the importance of the backup line, particularly with lithium-ion battery fires. He emphasizes the need for being action-oriented and having forward-thinking tactics due to the rapid and dangerous nature of these fires. Mickey also addresses the misconception that lithium-ion battery fires are only an urban …

In this episode, Mickey reflects on his recent training experience and highlights the importance of building confidence in search operations. He emphasizes the need for training scenarios where no victims are present to develop the instinct and trust in one's abilities. Mickey also discusses allowing firefighters to give accurate reports and the im…

Chad Cave, a Battalion Chief with the Frederick County, MD Fire Department has over 30 years in the fire service. He believes in feeding our young, creating a solid foundation for those that want the most from the job. He believes in doing the job, no short cuts and spending time in each position. He had a great officer spot and was happy with lead…

During our trip to Maui, HI, Jeremy had the opportunity to sit down with Louis Romero, a retired Battalion Chief with the Maui Fire Department. He, along with many other retired members of the department, assisted after the devastating fires that consumed parts of the beautiful island. Chief Romero talks about the importance of having ancestral kno…

This Behind the Department episode is part of the 2024 Calendar project launched in conjunction with Fire and Safety Services of NJ. This premiere Pierce Fire Apparatus Dealership in NJ is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. To celebrate this milestone, they launched an interactive calendar representing 12 builds across the state. Each bu…

In this episode, Pip interviews Anna, a firefighter paramedic and strongwoman competitor. They discuss Anna's transition from volunteer to career firefighter, the challenges of being a paramedic, and the physical demands of emergency services. Anna shares her experience in strongman training and how it complements her work as a firefighter paramedi…

On todays mobile episode, Mickey Farrell discusses the importance of representing the fire service and the need to maintain professionalism during events like St. Patrick's Day and September 11th. Thanks for tuning in and be sure to subscribe to the channel to stay up to date on all podcasts.Di Jeremy Donch and Robert Ridley

Jonathan Yahr joins Jeremy on the podcast. Chief of the Lakewood, NJ Fire Department, Chief Yahr is all in on his department and community. The fastest growing community in NJ, Lakewood is bursting at the seams and it is the fire department's responsibility to keep up. As the department grows, it is imperative to not lose sight of the past. You can…

Continuing to move forward, Danny Dwyer is now a Battalion Chief with a growling department in the Atlanta metro area. In his newly promoted position, Danny finds it humbling to be able to help write the playbook for the department. His ability to work with the new full time hires as well as creating the desired culture that fuels firemanship, Dann…

In this episode, Pip is joined by Alan and Caleb, who are both podcast hosts and have backgrounds in emergency medical services (EMS) and fitness. They discuss the importance of combining education and entertainment in podcasts, as well as the challenges and trends in EMS education. The conversation also touches on the value of effective communicat…

In this episode, Mickey and Brandon Lewis discuss the importance of being all in and dedicated to the fire service. They address the misconceptions about work-life balance and emphasize the commitment required in the early years of a firefighter's career. They compare the fire service to other professions, such as professional athletes and doctors,…

In this episode, Mickey discusses the importance of understanding the fire service as a family and the unique nature of the job. He emphasizes the need for young firefighters to be fully committed and dedicated to the job. Mickey also highlights the importance of preserving traditions and attending funerals as a mandatory duty. He suggests the crea…