Episodes
Joined on this episode by the one and only B.J. Breecher, and it was a fun Scrap, he was not afraid to poke some bears! We discuss training versus just checking boxes. Why so many departments just go through the motions. Being fit for duty, and the ramifications. Expectations versus standards. As well as the challenges of working at a combination department. Of course this does not include all of the awesome questions that the audience threw our way! it was an amazing ...
Published 06/18/24
Joined once again by the person I call an absolute force of nature...hurricane Ike.... Curt Isakson! We talk about the challenges of the firefighter life. Training up the most important Probie. In the words of Chief Ike, "I am giving you everything on this one, and i am not holding back. There are going to be some hurt feelings." You know it would run long, you know it would be filled with passion. You better have brought your energy drinks, your shots of espress...
Published 06/13/24
Joined this week by the YOOF himself, Ryan Scellick and we discuss all things decision making, specifically in emergent situations and the stress involved. We discussed Coopers Color Code, we discussed Grossman and "On Combat" it was a fun Scrap! And that does not even factor in the wonderful live audience and all that they brought to the discussion with their phenomenal questions. Enjoy the show!
Published 06/04/24
Sean Duffy, Nick Ledin and Scott Thompson come on to talk about the state of OSHA and the revisit to two in/two out. Here is Nick Ledin " TWO IN/TWO OUT IS TOO SLOW.... FIRE SERVICE, WE NEED YOUR HELP...Currently, OSHA is proposing folding two in/two out, with some changes, into a new safety and health standard. This would make it MORE difficult for fire departments to forgo two in/two out with the intent of possibly saving a life or lives. This is the best chance we’ve ever had t...
Published 06/02/24
Joined on this episode by the exceptional mind that is Dennis Legear. It is hard to name someone who has put in more effort and thought into fire stream development than Dennis. We talk about the three key aspects of fire stream application: Volume, placement and velocity. Handline attack package design, as well as large stream development. Target flows, nozzle pressures, reaction force, was all on the agenda... and of course that does not include all the wonderful questions...
Published 05/28/24
Joined on this episode by the Company Officer himself, Michael Dozier! It was a phenomenal episode as we deep dove into leadership at the company level, and discussed his key principles for success. Of course every Scrap is driven by the audience as they ask the most insightful questions and take control of the direction of the conversation. This one did not disappoint!!! Enjoy!
Published 05/21/24
Joined on this episode by the one and only Anthony Kastros to go deep diving into command. We talk about decision making. the levels of command. How to become that calming force in the middle of the chaos. Of course we discussed his new book that was just released and instantly sold out! And as always the audience chimed in and took us in directions we never saw coming but totally enjoyed! Enjoy #246!!!!
Published 05/17/24
Joined by one of my favorite amigos, the one and only Mike Gagliano. We discussed fireground decision making. The art of go and no-go. The pendulum swing that is the fire service, and how to build a culture that rocks at your fire house. Of course the audience contributed and absolutely brought the heat for the show!
Published 05/09/24
Joined on this episode by one of my biggest mentors, the one and only Scott Thompson. We talk mentorship, being mentored. The discussion will always cover culture and how you can impact your department no matter what level you are at. Of course no matter what me and Scott were planning to talk about... the audience came in and absolutely crushed it with their on point questions!
Published 05/03/24
Joined on this episode by Dan Shaw and it was an excellent episode! We talked about 25 to Survive and LODD's impact on everyone. Leadership through the ranks and how to have an impact on your organization. Challenges of rising through the ranks, and lessons he has learned throughout the last three decades. Of course the audience took over and drove the direction of the discussion, and Dan absolutely crushed it with his answers! Enjoy the show!
Published 04/29/24
Joined on this episode by Ian Bennett and it was an exciting episode, especially if you love the topics of training and live fire. I was able to pick his brain on his training philosophies and the lessons he has learned. Ian is one of the best and it shows in this interview. Of course the audience always sends the best questions that the guest can crush, and Ian absolutely did so.
Published 04/23/24
My guest this week is none other than Mike Greco. He is a very opinionated firefighter and not afraid to share his mind.  Our planned topics were truck operations and tactics, as well as how to be a leader in the modern fire service. Of course the best laid plans by the Scrap are always beautifully derailed by the best audience in the world, and they delivered this time around!  
Published 04/16/24
Joined on this episode by Chief Michael Paschal and I am excited for all that we got to discuss. It seems like every class I attend in my home state he is always there. Even with his decades of experience he is still a student of the game. He has forgotten more than I know about fireground strategy and tactics and it was an awesome discussion. Of course the questions from the audience always bring the heat.  Enjoy an amazing episode!!!
Published 04/09/24
WOW, what an episode!  One of the most requested guests for the Scrap... Chief Candace Ashby. We discuss the six most common organizational issues. Leadership from the bottom up. Why the disconnect exists between the men and women on the line and the brass in the office. How to stop the blame cycle and start being effective. How to make an impact and lead positive change. This of course is just what we have planned, the audience always brings their own magic to the Scrap, and we look forward...
Published 04/02/24
Joined on this episode by one of the best in the business, RJ, Robert James.  It was a good time as we dove into his mindset and approach to training. Engine work, truck work, FF rescue and survival,  concepts and special operations.  Of course the best laid plans by me and the guest are always wonderfully derailed by the phenomenal questions from the audience and that is what makes it so much fun.  Was a great episode!
Published 03/26/24
Joined on this episode by the one and only Paul Capo.  Was an amazing conversation as we talked about firefighter rescue and survival. Truck operations, and instructional methodologies.  The Audience took over early and Paul absolutely crushed all of their questions. Enjoy the show!!
Published 03/19/24
Joined on this episode by one of my best friends in life, my confidant and my brother, the one and only Dane Yaw. We discuss how you can manufacture and build pride, ownership and tradition in your department. The challenges that come with it. We talk about his mindset towards training and the impact that culture has on training, especially with new recruits. All of this is just the tip of the iceberg, and of course the audience absolutely took over and sent their great questions like they...
Published 03/13/24
Joined on this episode by none other than Preston Lyons, and we had a lot we planned to talk about. Starting with filling the gap between Fire Conferences and reality, The 5 non-negotiables for the firehouse, eradicating the age old past time of humiliating the rookie, and gossiping about each other at the kitchen table. Learning to use negative energy. Making the kitchen table phoneless and rankless... and of course none of that included what the audience threw our way!  
Published 03/04/24
Joined on this episode by the artist formerly known as Smoke Daddy! We discuss how busy he has been, and what all is in the works for FDIC, and Fire Engineering. The upcoming publications, and all of the challenges associated with them! Leadership, culture and motivation were on the agenda, and of course all the questions from the audience. It was an amazing episode... enjoy!
Published 02/26/24
The killer line-up of 2024 guests continues this episode with Jon-Eric Johnson, and I had a blast with this conversation. We discuss the four stages of competency. Leading as a young officer, understanding crew identity. And of course as always the direction of the Scrap was ultimately determined by the audience as they tuned in live and threw so many great questions at us!  Enjoy!!!
Published 02/19/24
Joined on this episode by the one and only Clyde Gordon. If you don't love this man, it is only because you do not know him. I was excited for this conversation and he completely blew those expectations out of the water.  Of course we talked about training, and discuss the lessons he has learned over the years. As always the best laid plans of the Scrap were taken over by the always awesome audience and their questions.
Published 02/13/24
Joined on this episode by Robert RJ Wynne and I was excited to say the least. Last year I had the pleasure of a one hour car ride with this man and before it was over I knew he had to do a Scrap. You will not be disappointed with this episode and the story that RJ shares.  Get ready for a gut check of reality, and vulnerability. Not to mention the awesome interaction with the live audience! Enjoy!!!
Published 02/06/24
Joined on this episode by Craig Haigh, with over 30 years of experience as a fire chief and is always ready to share the lessons he has learned. We discuss how to develop leaders inside your organization. We deep dive into recruitment and retention in the modern fire service.  Of course the audience brought their questions and they absolutely took over the direction of the discussion!  It was an awesome one and I there is a lot of value in the discussion!
Published 02/01/24
Excited to be joined on this episode by none other than El Presidente of the FOOLS international... Ben Fleagle. Was very excited for this episode and the topics we got to discuss including, the importance of the Fire service to society. The FOOLS international and their role in the fire service. Leadership in all of it's facets. Character and its inseparability from leadership.  Our history and how it effects the future, and the upcoming generations. Of course the Scrap's best laid plans are...
Published 01/23/24
Joined on this episode by Gabe Salas, and he did not disappoint!  Was an an exciting one as we discussed the power of the senior "man". How to maximize the impact of accountability and lead by example. Of course the audience threw a ton at us, and Gabe crushed each and every answer.  Enjoy another great episode!
Published 01/17/24