Code 3 - The Firefighters' Podcast

I have no idea how many times I have heard the old phrase, “Practice makes perfect.” Of course, nowadays, we understand that it’s wrong.

If practice …

There have been several unfortunate mass-casualty incidents recently as the result of an active shooter. Although the public’s attention is usually …

A few weeks back, we talked with Eric Hille, a San Miguel, California firefighter about his plans to take a team of volunteers to Ukraine.

The …

A while back, firefighter Cindie Schooner-Ball started a blog where she wrote about her time as a “Sister in a Brotherhood.”

She had plenty of material to work with–for 28 years, Cindie was a career firefighter in …

There’s a lot of advice floating around that explains what a firefighter needs to do to get promoted to an officer position.

And there’s quite a bit about leadership and what to do once you ARE promoted.

On this edition …

Depending on who you ask, women make up roughly four to five percent of US career firefighters. That’s why it’s still a news story when a woman is promoted to a leadership position in a major fire department.

How you …

A firefighter in San Diego County, California, has started Operation Joint Guardian, an effort to help the people of Ukraine.

Eric Hille, a veteran of the US Army, planned to just send USAR equipment over there. Many …

If you’ve ever walked into a firehouse and heard someone say, “This isn’t what I signed up for,” or if you’ve thought it yourself, let me relate a quick story.

About five, six years ago, I was visiting station 71 in …

The evening of March 21, 2003 was normal for the crew of Colerain, Ohio Township’s Engine 26.

The guys were cleaning up after dinner. Then the …

If you’re a firefighter or medic, especially a volunteer, you’re able to do your job because the law grants you the ability to do it without fear of …

There’s an unusual fire department in Fairbanks, Alaska.

It’s called the University Fire Department. It serves a University of Alaska campus and nearby North Star Borough from two stations.

What makes this department …

Once upon a time, there was VES. Then, thanks to the FDNY, came VEIS-vent, enter, isolate, search.

Problem is, while the concept is still sound, it’s …

If you want something done, sometimes the best solution is to do it yourself. That can apply to fire service training, too.

My guest today was a …

If your department doesn’t operate its own ambulances, a third-party operator is transporting your patients. But what happens when that company …

Today, we’re talking electric vehicles. If you live in Los Angeles, like I do, you see them every day. Teslas and hybrids are everywhere!

But there are a lot of places where electric vehicles –called EVs—or hybrids …

This is a special double edition of Code 3. We take a look back at the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, in New York City. By now, you know it’s been 20 years since that tragic day when we lost 343 members of the …

Fighting wildland fires is very different than structure fires.

For starters, wildland guys sleep on the ground for days at a time. And then there’s the lack of hydrants on their firegrounds. They have to carry in all …

Sitting in the right front seat of a rig means a lot more than giving instructions on the fireground. In fact, that’s a small part of the job. Sure it’s important—I mean, lives are at stake—but you need to be equally …

Just about everyone in the fire service will—at some time—have the opportunity to be an Incident Commander for a few minutes at least. Then the Battalion Chief, or another chief officer, arrives and takes over.

Whether …

Does your department require firefighters to be EMTs or Paramedics? Seems like most career departments do these days.

What if it doesn’t? Does that mean you don’t need to get certified?

Today, we’re talking about the …

On this episode, we’re talking EMS history. I’m embarrassed to admit I was unaware of this background until I heard it on another, non-fire-related podcast. It’s the story of the first civilian EMS program in the U.S.

…

There’s a lot of advice out there about how to get promoted. There’s a little less about what to do when you are promoted.

Suddenly, friends on your shift are your subordinates.

So how do you work with them? Your first …

My guest on this show, Dan Rogers, created a firestorm online with his article, “’And that’s okay:’ Not all volunteers want to operate like FDNY.”

…

When you set up your burn building, burn room, or burn trailer for training, what do you use for fuel? In my experience, sometimes it’s just a few …

Just about every firefighter enjoys reading about the experiences of other members of the brotherhood. That’s why books written by veteran …

Your department has probably been described, at least informally, as an all-hazards department. That usually means things like water rescue, hazmat, high-angle rescue, and so on. But over the years, and especially since …

If you’re not a career firefighter in a major city, this is going to be a familiar topic. If you do work in a major city, get ready to hear something …

It’s not easy to be married to a firefighter. Whether you’re the wife or a husband of one, you know it can be tough to deal with emotionally. And if you’re thinking of marrying a firefighter, you need to understand that …

This time, I’m doing something a little different. It’s been a tough fire season here in southern California and it’s not over. I’m helping out my friends up the road at the Los Angeles Fire Department.

They’re doing a …

How would you grade your most recent Incident Commander’s performance?

Solid or...timid?

Solid is an IC who has been trained and seasoned—and one more …

The way we used to train newbies, in lots of jobs, not just firefighting, could best be described as “tough love.” That’s being charitable. We were …

You probably know that recruiting has become a real problem at many volunteer fire departments.

That’s true. But what’s worse is when you get someone …

I just had Pete Van Dorpe on the show, a couple of weeks ago, talking about his article from 2015 titled, “Mounting an Intelligent Interior Attack.”

Coincidentally, Nick Salameh, a previous guest on this show, wrote an …

There is always an on-going discussion about how aggressive firefighters should be at structure fires. Inevitably, the argument gets into interior …

This episode previously ran on Sept. 11, 2019. I talked with retired Fire Chief Rick Lasky about the events of that horrible day in 2001 and what he recalled about it.

How do you select a handline when you arrive at a fire? Do you have an all-purpose go-to that usually gets pulled? Some departments routinely pull …

If you spend any time on Facebook, you’ve probably seen the videos posted by Fire Department Chronicles. If you haven’t, you need to. Go there right now and look them up. I’ll wait.The man behind these videos is Jason …

You may have heard this oldie-but-goodie already, but bear with me:

A smart man learns from his mistakes.

A really smart man learns from others’ …

This show is a little different. We’re going to talk about prehospital care from the point of view of an EMS liaison. He sees the results of good …

Once upon a time, there was a really cool video game called SimCity. The goal was for the player to build up his city by adding improvements and …

It’s easy to become jaded or cynical when the fire department administration comes up with a new list of core values. They sound good, but you know and I know and the American people know that those core values get …

Since 1977, firefighter line-of-duty-deaths have been dropping. You know that already, right? And structure fires as a whole are decreasing as well, …

If you’re a firefighter in a large metro department, you might find today’s topic a little unfamiliar. Because for firefighters in rural or even suburban areas, the challenges can be very different than yours. And if …

Everybody knows THAT guy. There’s one in every firehouse. He’s easy to spot. He knows and is happy to lecture you on every fire science topic, but never seems to have time to help wipe down the rig. But as Chief …

With today’s rapid fire growth, it’s more important than ever before to get water on the fire as fast as possible. Flashovers, for example, can occur in just minutes now. But another factor these days works against us: …

Here’s some easy math for you. What percentage of your time is spent on the rig and available? Now what percent do you spend looking at the exterior of buildings in your first-due area, planning for future responses? …

Today, I am introducing a new podcast. Don’t worry, this one’s not going anywhere.The new show is called True Fire, and it’s different from any other podcast available. It’s also quite possibly the most important one …

I’ve noticed a lot of chatter on social media over the past months about the idea that fire departments aren’t aggressive enough anymore. The next poster will comment that we’re no longer in the stone age, and we can’t …

Sometimes, we make things more difficult than we need to. We develop a course of training, then insist on dictating every move firefighters make once …

Last week, we talked with Chris Moore, a captain with the Chesapeake, Virginia Fire Department about his battle with PTSD. This week, I’m bringing you the other half of the equation. That’s his wife, Lori. If you’re a …

Twenty years ago, it was a big no-no for a firefighter to admit to having anything like Post-Traumatic Stress. Of course, it’s still stigmatized in many firehouses. That’s a problem. PTSD can affect anyone, even the …

How would you define success in a volunteer department? Would it be recruiting and retention? Or how about solid leadership? Maybe response time? …

What are your priorities in life? Most firefighters will typically answer this question by saying, “My family, my health, and my job.” But the reality is, most firefighters I’ve known, and I’ll bet most you know, are …

One of the critical skills a firefighter needs is the ability to communicate concisely and completely over the radio. Some firefighters, especially new officers, get excited on the radio and are loud, but don’t have …

Every house goes on runs that the crew just knows is a false alarm. You know it, I know it, your administration knows it. But the public doesn’t. And …

By now, as I record this show on April 6, 2020, most of this nation’s fire departments are now dealing with the devastating effects of COVID-19. But if you think your department’s been hit hard, be glad you’re not in …

Practically every study – not to mention common sense – says the fastest way to get a fire out is to get water on the seat of the fire. Modern day fires that burn hotter and faster demand the ability to rapidly select, …

By now, it seems like just about every fire department has at least one thermal imaging camera. They’ve become a valuable tool. The trick, of course, …

Truck company operations are an important part of fireground operations, even when you don’t have a dedicated truck company available. That’s why, whether you’re a truckie or not, you need a thorough knowledge of truck …

The ultimate in mutual aid has got to be the assist Australians are getting from US firefighters. These are wildland fires on a massive scale: more …

The two things firefighters hate the most are change-and the way things are now. You’ve heard that quote from Alan Brunacini before. But it’s still true and will remain true as long as there’s a fire service. Because …

Firefighters are well aware of the pain of PTSD. They’re also often familiar with the stigma that comes with it.We’ve talked about PTSD and the stigma that comes with it on this show before. It’s maybe twice as hard to …

By now, most departments have adopted social media in some form. Here in LA, as in many larger cities, Twitter is a great resource to learn where agencies are responding to various emergencies, 24/7. In fact, in many …

When you arrive on scene of a medical emergency, do you talk with the patient? Sure you do. In fact, if you’re still fairly new at EMS, you likely practically interrogate them. Questions like, “When was your last oral …

Firefighting has always been about survival. But now, we are recognizing that fire isn’t the only danger. Whether it’s occupational cancer, …

This edition of Code 3 may make you a little uncomfortable. It’s about racial bias among EMS providers. And while that bias may be unconscious, it affects patients all the same. My guest today led a comprehensive study …

Okay, here’s an idea that’s guaranteed to divide opinions: The Cosumnes Fire District, near Sacramento, California, is using virtual reality …

Lots of departments require you to be a paramedic as well as a firefighter, but that can lead to conflict. In some departments, this cross training …

After many years of being called “firefighters”, there is a small but persistent group pushing back. They want to be called “firemen” again. Perhaps surprisingly, some of those people are women. They also want to be …

If you’re listening to this edition of Code 3, congratulations! You made it through the 2010s. It was a turbulent decade for first responders of all …

You may be a TRT specialist in your department. Or you might be a novice. Either way, you’ve probably realized that rope rescue gear has become very technical. NFPA 1983 is very specific about the details required to …

Technical rescues are high-risk/low-frequency incidents, and that means training on them is critical. One slip, and you could have a very bad day. If …

One of the most important roles of a leader is to take care of their crew. That means if you’re a company officer, you need to be aware of your crew …

If you’ve listened to this show for any length of time, you know realistic training scenarios … and sometimes the lack of them … are my thing. Learning the fundamentals is always the key to later skill-building. So it’s …

If you’ve been in the fire service long enough, you probably remember when firefighters with a trade skill were highly valued. These were the guys who came into the job knowing things like engine repair, or electrical, …

Are you an engineer? Or maybe a chauffeur? Or perhaps an MPO? Regardless of the name, if you operate the pump panel on an engine, you need to know a lot of technical stuff to be any good. And the guys on the other end …

Let’s talk Zen Buddism. Do you know the term Shoshin? It’s the Japanese word for a beginner’s mind. A verse from a philosopher says:“It is not …

Let’s say you’re a new officer. You want your crew to follow you, right? Now how do you get them to do that? One thing that absolutely will NOT work …

Something good can come from even the worst situations, and in this show, you’re going to hear from a great example. This is the story of how Travis Howze, survivor of the Charleston Nine disaster in 2007, developed …

For just about as long as anyone can remember, the fire service has operated in a pseudo-military style. Members have ranks, of course. And complex org charts are a favorite Powerpoint slide. The similarities to the …

Today, we’re talking about the Denver Drill. It’s well-known, but just in case you need a brush up, here it is: In 1992, a Denver, Colorado …

Today, we’re talking tactical worksheets for EMS. This is more important than it may sound. A tactical worksheet is nothing more than a glorified checklist. Who needs that? If airline pilots use them every flight, maybe …

The Fire-EMS community lost a vital member this week. Bryan Fass passed away suddenly on Monday. He was just 46. A former paramedic, Bryan was well-known for his advocacy of first-responder fitness. His career was …

There was a time when you were universally viewed as friends of the community. You were welcomed because people realized that you were there to help …

On September 11, 2001 our world changed. America was just getting to work when it was attacked by terrorists using commercial airliners as weapons. That was the day everything we knew turned upside down. And it was the …

One of the aspects of firefighting that we don’t often discuss is the role of the fire-cause investigator. Once a structure fire is under control, …

We have discussed several times on this show the sad – and potentially disastrous –story of the declining numbers of volunteer firefighters. Everyone …

If you conduct training for firefighters, your teaching may be out-of-date. Now, you’re probably thinking, “That’s bull. I know how to throw a …

If you’ve wondered what it would be like to be a newly-minted Fire Chief – it could be a turbulent experience. You may think you know what it takes …

The late Vince Lombardi, famous Green Bay Packers coach, was known for his inspirational quotes. Today’s show is about this Lombardi quote: “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in …

There’s a certain mindset that says it doesn’t matter how you start, as long as you finish strong. That’s not always true, though. One example: when …

Look around construction sites and you’re likely to see a lot of trenches. If there’s an underground line of any type, it takes a trench to put it in and to maintain it. Unfortunately, not all trenches are constructed …

What color is a fire engine? Well, if you’re a fan of traditional fire helmets, then I assume you’d prefer your apparatus to be red. You know, fire …

Helicopters are a great tool to have available when someone needs to be pulled out of a remote canyon – or transported to a level 1 trauma center in …

If you’re working toward becoming a firefighter, or you’re trying to get promoted, one of the scariest phrases to you is likely “oral interview.” You …

I’ll bet you use salvage covers when you can. Why not? If you’re going to protect property, you can do a better job of it with covers than without. But there’s another step you can take to save property, and you may not …

On this show, we’re going to dive into some more detail for structural firefighters who find themselves working in the wildland-urban interface. If you’re going to be working these fires, there are new challenges to …

There are lots of books about management styles available, but for my money, the ones written by firefighters are the best. They’re specific. They’re …

If you’re a structural firefighter, you’d probably rather not deal with wildland fires at all. That’s normally not really a problem, until the flames reach the wildland-urban interface, which is happening much more …

Training is critical to performance, especially these days, when there are fewer real-world fires but the ones that do ignite burn hotter and faster. Problem is, a lot of training is not very realistic. Classroom only …

What qualifies someone to be a battalion chief? If they’re in a career department, it’s pretty clear. They need a specific amount of experience, they have to pass a written test, and probably an oral board of some …

I got an email a few days ago. It was full of comments about the show, like a lot of other emails I get. But this one was different. It came from a …

Let’s say you wanted to become a company officer. In your interview, you probably told them it was because you felt your leadership could help the …

June 30, 2019, marks the sixth anniversary of the LODD of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, who were killed while fighting the Yarnell Hill fire southeast of Prescott, Arizona.

The 20-man crew, …

Volunteer firefighters make up most U.S. departments, by far. Yet the state of volunteer firefighting is in serious trouble. The NFPA issued a …

Today’s topic is flowing water while advancing the line. Some departments always do it. Some don’t. There’s pretty good evidence that flowing while advancing is safer than dragging an uncharged line into a burning …

If you want to become a firefighter, the first thing to understand is that it isn’t easy. There’s a lot of school required nowadays, and it can take …

The battle over the traditional fire helmet and what I’ll call the Eurohelmet is growing as some U.S. departments make the switch.It’s hard to nail down exactly why firefighters are unhappy about wearing the new …

Swiftwater rescues are among the most dangerous that you will face. That may sound obvious, but some departments that haven’t seen many swiftwater incidents have been taken by surprise. Out west, we have unique …

When you go to the roof, what do you include when you make your report on "
conditions? Right. Every department’s truckies report something different, depending on SOPs. Sometimes, there’s even a difference between …

Self-storage units present a unique challenge in case of fire. The come with the hazards found in a hoarder house, but worse. Making entry can be tough—nowadays, the simple padlock has often been replaced by an …

If you want to be an officer, it may come as a surprise that not everyone does. That may be a good thing. You probably also know that not everyone’s cut out for the job. In a career department, it might be more …

On May 15, Appleton, Wisconsin Engineer Mitch Lundgaard was shot and killed while on a medical run. A police officer was shot and survived, as did a …

Battalion Chief Abby Bolt was a 22-year veteran firefighter in the US Forest Service. She quit last month, posting a version of her resignation …

How safe are you as a firefighter? Do you don all your gear before you make entry, or do you take a risk, thinking you may save someone else? What about something as simple as wearing your seatbelt? I know there’s a …

Some structure fires are pretty easy to find. The seat of the fire is obvious. It’s the calls reporting a light haze of smoke that get tricky. The …

By now, you’ve heard over and over about the value of professional counseling. But, I know, you’re probably still skeptical. Maybe you think it’s too-touchy feely. Maybe you’re worried that word will get out that you’re …

A lot of volunteer fire departments are worried about the dwindling number of new recruits. But what about holding onto the members already in the …

When you hear the term “primary search,” what comes to mind? Is it something an engine crew does while they’re advancing the line? Or is it the job of the truck crew? And if you’re the first-in engine at a structure …

Have you ever become lost in a burning structure? It ‘ll cause a pretty severe pucker factor, as my Air Force friends call it. And, yes, becoming lost in a fire can easily be fatal. Today, we’re going to hear from a …

You don’t have to be the senior man at your station to have learned some valuable lessons. The things we learn that improve how we do our jobs sometimes come from keeping an open mind and asking questions. My guest …

This week was the premiere of A&E’s Live Rescue show. And this week, I’m reviewing it. Maybe I can help you decide if it’s worth your two hours every Monday night.

If you haven’t yet had the experience of having a victim of a structure fire die, all I can say is, you will. It’s not something anyone can really …

FDIC 2019 is in the books, and a lot of you were there this time. The conference was first held in 1929. It now draws in excess of 30,000 participants, making it one of Indiana’s biggest conventions. To find out how it …

Do you ever get the feeling that there are some people doing this job who really aren’t into it? They’re around -- but that's all. They’re mostly …

What does it take to be a fire officer? There’s more to it than just giving orders, of course. In fact, being a great officer could be considered a …

Re-kindles are every firefighter’s nightmare. When I was a reporter, PIOs would go to great lengths to get me not to use that word if a fire …

Vertical ventilation is a pretty controversial subject these days. Ever since the UL report on it came out, firefighters have been arguing whether vertical ventilation is worth the risk and if it even has the effects …

If you’re trying to join the fire service, raise your hand. Wow, that’s a lot of you. There are some good resources to help you with things like passing the written tests and the interview stage. But one of the keys is …

The RIT team has an important role at a fire scene. I say this, not as Captain Obvious, but because it’s easy to forget when you go to multiple …

Village, Colorado, has had a new response policy in place. Air Methods helicopters, which operate from bases in 48 states around the U.S. , has been …

Today’s fire departments ask more of their members than they used to.You’re now required to be at least an EMT in most departments, and there are advantages to being a paramedic, too. Today’s show is about being a good …

With active shooter situations on the rise, there’s been more concern about how schools should deal with them. Communities around the country have …

Just about everyone wants to be promoted. More pay, maybe a different shift, and more authority to make things happen. So what do you do when you actually get that promotion? You might want to think about it in advance. …

This show is a little different than most. We’re going to take a look at a feud going on in Arizona. AMR’s LifeLine Ambulance is on the hot seat as …

Scott's opinion of the NYC proposal to change emergency sirens to the European high-low style. The city councilmembers behind the new law say they're less noisy and will lead to fewer complaints. Scott says they'll be …

Do you remember the Tot Finder stickers? For many years, families put them on the windows of children’s rooms, so, in case of fire, firefighters …

Has your department given any thought to operating its own ambulances? It’s happening around the country, for various reasons. There are some …

Our topic on this episode is stretching a dry line. Way back in Firefighting 101, they taught where to do it and where not to. Problem is, my guest today says, once you gain some experience, sometimes that training goes …

The Bernalillo County Fire Department in New Mexico is trying a new idea to cut down on job-related cancer.The department is adding apparatus, over time, that has compartments to store turnout gear. Firefighters won’t …

It may surprise you to learn that PTSD is not the major factor in most firefighter suicides. That’s just one of the myths that surround—and drives discussion on – the topic of firefighters taking their own lives. One of …

Firefighters love handy phrases almost as much as they love acronyms. Wait, scratch that. Firefighters’ bosses love handy phrases almost as much as …

Today, we’re going to talk about a role in the fire department that’s near to my heart: The PIO. The Public Information Officer was the key to my …

Have you ever been off-duty driving somewhere and come upon a crash scene? What should you do? What gear do you have in your POV? Most importantly, …

We’ve talked a lot about upholding fire service standards on this show. On this episode, we’re going to discuss a voluntary oath, if you will, that …

As times change and research becomes more accurate, we learn more about fire behavior. And the more we learn, the faster fires get put out. With today’s construction techniques and materials, that also means a safer …

Greg Jakubowski talks about ground ladders-how to chose which one you need in a hurry, and why it's important to train with them. He’s a fire protection engineer and certified safety professional. Greg started his fire …

I love instructions on how to do stuff. That’s why today’s show is about how to be a firefighter. Not how to fight fires, but how to be a firefighter. They’re two different things. My guest today is the author of "The …

Narcan has been pitched as the single best way to deal with opioid overdose. And while it does work, it’s being overused and misused. Some EMS providers and cops are administering it just-in-case … even if they aren’t …

Here’s an idea: Yoga for firefighters. Wait—don’t skip this episode yet! You owe it to yourself to hear about this, because, even if you think yoga’s not for you, it can probably help. It’s got a lot of benefits for …

The most powerful position in the firehouse is likely NOT the Captain. You know who I’m talking about: the Senior Man. He commands respect simply …

Training is the key to knowing how to fight fires, especially when your department doesn’t respond to frequent real-world structure fires. It’s also the way to make sure no one gets hurt. But there’s a right way to …

Let’s talk safety. Or, rather, let’s talk risk, because we know firefighting isn’t safe. Risks are all about choices. The objective is to make choices that minimize risk. There are ways to do this, and my guest today …

It’s been over 70 years since President Harry S. Truman issued the first Presidential Report that told citizens how to survive a house fire. But …

A few years back, the NFPA said that just 27 percent of fire departments had a basic firefighter fitness and health program, and that was down from 30 percent in 2010. My guest today says that the time has come for the …

Is EMS work a trade or a profession? There’s a growing push to require at least a 2-year associate’s degree for certification. Some officials want a bachelor’s degree to be required. Here to give us some perspective on …

Are you tired of hearing about diversity in the fire service yet? I’m going to assume you are. The question is, why, in 2018, almost 2019, are we still talking about it? My guest today has an interesting theory: The …

What’s a firefighter worth to the community? Now what’s a professional athlete worth? There’s no doubt that pro sports generates a lot of revenue for a city, not to mention intangible benefits. But my guest today has …

Just about everyone will find that there are the official rules in EMS – and then there are the unwritten rules. They’re often more helpful to know …

Leadership in a volunteer fire department doesn’t work the same way as it does in a career department. For starters, the officer positions may …

The transitional attack. Some firefighters swear by it, some swear at it. The NFPA says it’s a way to soften the target. Does it help, or does it have the potential to make firefighting harder? My guest today says a …

My guest today has a new book, titled The Functional Fire Company -- Positioning Small Groups for Success & Survival. It’s intended to explain …

What do you know about acupuncture? Yeah, it involves needles. But do you know what it can do for you? Here’s one benefit: it can be used to treat …

If you’re injured on the job, you’ll likely be prescribed an opioid pain medication. They’re a double -edged sword: it can be tough to get enough, even when you really need them. But you might be surprised how quickly …

If you’re a probie or you want to be, listen up. This show’s guest, Mauro Porcelli, has written a new book titled “Surviving the Firehouse.” It’s a …

Habits can improve your health...and bad ones can screw it up. That’s why building healthy habits is so important for firefighters. This isn’t just …

How fast do you get a knockdown on an average fire? Our guest on this show says you should see the effects in 30 seconds. If you don’t, he says, …

Firefighters both train and work out. Though they share some elements in common, they’re two different disciplines. This show's guest says it’s important to do both well. Matt Page is an assistant chief with the Alpine …

Engine company riding assignments are the key to a ready arrival at a scene. They eliminate confusion. But some departments don’t actually specify who’s doing what, and my guest on this show says that’s a mistake. Chad …

With recent increased attention on sexual harassment in the workplace, now may be a good time to address it in the firehouse. On this episode, we discuss what departments and officers need to know about sexual …

I’ll bet your least favorite house fire is a hoarder house. They’re tough to navigate, have lots of fuel, and can hide some nasty surprises. If you …

When you did your early training, did you make a lot of mistakes? If so, you likely learned more from the screw-ups than anything else. It was valuable experience. And hard to replace effectively. But my guest today …

With more and more firefighters being injured as they work to ventilate roofs during a structure fire, we need to ask:Why are we still putting crews up there in the first place?
Is it time to admit that vertical …

If you or someone you know had a broken arm, you’d want it treated right away.
Well, PTSD or clinical depression are no different. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean you can ignore it. And just like a broken …

Sometimes it seems that engine companies don’t always get the respect they deserve. It may be rescue squad crews or truckies that feel engine crews have a simple job: put the wet stuff on the red stuff. But this show's …

We’ve been talking over the past few weeks on this show about whether firefighters have become too risk-averse. But there are also some department …

If you’re of a certain age, you were probably strongly influenced to become a firefighter-paramedic by a couple of guys named Johnny and Roy, the two heroes of the 1970’s TV show “Emergency!” They played a couple of …

If you’re a company officer or a command-level officer, you know the job is all about decision-making. The trick, of course, is to make good, defensible decisions in a big hurry at a chaotic scene. How do you do it? …

We’ve talked several times on this show about working with younger firefighters. But we haven’t heard their viewpoint. That’s about to change. Millennials are sometimes a mystery to previous generations. They learn …

How do you conduct a primary search? It’s one of the most critical actions a firefighter can undertake at a fire. It’s also a dangerous task. There …

The number of women in the fire service seems to be stalled at about four percent, despite efforts to recruit more. Why is this, and what can be done? Cheryl Horvath addresses that question and discusses what she …

Do you go above and beyond, not for the praise, but because it’s necessary? Maybe you're a grinder. TJ Ward joins Scott to explain the grinder mindset. It’s an attitude that says—good enough is never good enough. And …

What does it mean to “own it?” To a firefighter, it should mean taking pride in their job, and taking initiative to ensure it’s done right. Guest …

What if you had unlimited funds to design and build the ultimate fire engine for your department? Yours would undoubtedly look different than one …

We all know we’re facing fewer structure fires these days… but the ones that do ignite are more dangerous than ever. More lumber is being used, and, …

On this episode, we discuss a major line-of-duty-death incident: the loss of the Charleston Nine.
It happened on the evening of June 18, 2007, at the …

How do you conduct a primary search? I’ll bet you do it by having the whole search crew follow the walls, staying in a line, right? Doesn’t that …

When you’ve got a great plan, but some team members just aren’t quite on board, how do you get them to meet your expectations? Dr. Liane Davey is back to give us some tips on how to make that happen on this episode.

On this show, we talk with Cindie Schooner-Ball, who retired a couple years back from a firefighting career that began in1987. She writes a blog, titled, “Sister in a Brotherhood,” and is working on a book by the same …

When a man climbed into a narrow pipe and then became trapped 12 feet below ground, New Jersey rescue crews found a difficult situation. Mike Daley …

When is it appropriate to call for a helicopter to a scene? Even when you have a flowchart to make the determination, there’s still a lot of …

If you feel as if the culture of safety in the fire service has been replaced with a culture of fear, then you’ll want to listen to Chris Tobin. An …

Just about everyone agrees that community paramedicine is a great idea. But, trouble is, no one wants to pay for it. Mesa, Arizona, had a very good program but had to shut it down for lack of funding. Gary Ludwig joins …

There is a shortage of 911 dispatchers nationwide, and it can lead to unfortunate outcomes. PSAP and 911 consultant Barry Furey explains why there’s …

Firefighters love to pass on information, and that’s what accounts for the numbers of speakers lining up for events like FDIC. But how do you know you’re qualified to teach others? Is there a certain rank you need to …

Safety at motor vehicle crash scenes can be difficult, and sometimes, there are non-vehicle related problems, too. Expert Jack Sullivan of the …

With community paramedicine, a/k/a mobile integrated health care, gaining popularity in the U.S., there are some challenges to be met when you’re …

If you thought Millennials were a confusing group, wait til you meet the iGen. Guest Linda Willing says they may be more comfortable with virtual …

Brad Davison’s study of combination departments and the challenges they face found that budgets are the #1 problem, according to chiefs. We talk …

Drew Hughes died after an ET tube was improperly inserted while he rode in an ambulance. He had been injured in a skateboarding accident, but anoxia …

In celebration of our official 100th episode of Code 3, Scott pulls back the curtain to give you a quick look at how we got here. Join us!

Bullying and harassment within the fire service isn’t talked about very much, but it happens. Find out what it will take to stop this destructive …

Kevin Grange is a firefighter/paramedic in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But he used to work as a paramedic in Los Angeles. In this episode of code 3, he …

On June 30, 2018, the fifth anniversary of the LODD of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew at Yarnell Hill, a memorial ceremony was held in Prescott, Arizona, their home base. The brief ceremony …

Rehab is often given a lower priority than it should be, says our guest this time, Tim Nowack. He’s got some ideas about how to change that …

It has now been five years since 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. Jose Zambrano, a firefighter from El Seguno California began a run to the Hotshots’ …

SPECIAL EDITION: The NFPA released its annual firefighter LODD report, and, while deaths are down, Chief Marc Bashoor says this is no time to get complacent.

The NFPA has issued a new standard – NFPA 3000 (PS), Standard for an Active Shooter/
Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program. The NFPA’s John Montes joins Scott to explain why it was needed and what it includes on this …

Sure, firefighters work out a lot, but that still doesn’t make a poor diet all right. Dr. Susie day has been working on a study of what firefighters …

In October, 2007, a crew of four Washington, DC firefighters nearly lost their lives in a preventable accident while fighting a house fire. Dennis Rubin was the Chef of DCFD at the time, and he joins us to explain what …

There’s an art to being a great incident commander, and Jason Hoevelmann stops by Code 3 to talk with Scott about what it takes, and what not to do.

If you’re like a lot of firefighters, you stay busy. That’s productive, right? But what if you’re staying busy to keep from dealing with emotional problems? That’s not so good. On this episode, therapist Jada Hudson …

In a world with SLICE-RS. RECEO, and REVAS, comes a new and potentially better acronym: SLAB SAVERS, Jesse Quinalty’s solution to firefighting …

Burn buildings are part of every firefighter’s training, but how worthwhile are they? What do we learn in them, and are those things valuable? David Rhodes explains why burn buildings aren’t always the best way to learn …

One of the unfortunate changes the fire service has seen in the last few years is a move toward equipping firefighters with ballistic vests and body armor. It’s a reality, though, and Kane Nixon tells us why his …

What if there was a better standard for prehospital care than “First, Do No Harm?” Mike Rubin offers some alternative phrases that might make you think twice when you’re treating a patient.

As active-shooter incidents become more common, firefighters are being asked to do EMS rescues in some situations that they never used to enter. Jim Morrissey explains how interagency cooperation will work in the …

There’s been a lot written on how to advance in the fire service, but not as much on what to do when you’re passed over for a promotion. Matt Tobia offers some tips for doing better the next time.

There’s a certain sector of the fire service that advocates just slamming a fire with overwhelming water and getting an instant knockdown. Firmly in …

Everyday people don’t understand what firefighters see day in and day out. TV and movies have taught them that it’s mostly a heroic job where the victim almost always survives. Michael Morse tells us how he explains …

A mayday is enough to send chills down a firefighter’s spine. For several years, Don Abbott’s “Project Mayday” has collected recordings of the radio …

Ben Vernon was a seasoned San Diego firefighter who was on top of his profession when he encountered unexpected trouble on a run: He was stabbed, nearly fatally, by a one-time prison knife fighter. How he recovered and …

Finding and keeping volunteer firefighters is a challenge these days. For her doctoral thesis, firefighter Candice McDonald studied how successful …

Fighting a high-rise fire takes a considerable amount of pre-planning. Find out what guest Mike Terpak, a former Deputy Chief, says is important to plan for, and why he considers the elevator a “necessary evil” on this …

We've all heard a million times that a 360-degree recon is a must at a structure fire, but what happens when you can't do one? Brian Butler has some real-world options.

The newest cars on the road are hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and they require an understanding of how they operate on the part of firefighters who …

A no-way--out situation is different from a mayday situation, says guest John Cagno, because avoiding the no-way-out is a firefighter's own responsibility. Find out how he says they can be avoided.

John M. Buckman III gives us five tips we can use to become real leaders in the firehouse. They’re simple to apply and make an immediate difference in how you’ll be seen by other firefighters.

The Arizona Fallen Firefighter and Paramedics Memorial is nearly paid for; it was built without any taxpayer dollars. Find out from Chairman Rick …

Why don't fire departments spend more time training ICs to run Type 5 structure fires? Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer says it's time they did, and that simply letting officers learn on the job doesn't cut it.

If you like to visit firehouses while you’re on vacation, there are some unwritten rules of guest etiquette you may not think of—but just because …

With the number of annual firefighter suicides now exceeding the number of LODDs annually, the crisis is being addressed in several ways that hold …

If your diet seems like it’s slowing you down, you may want to try the Primal Blueprint. Firefighter Nick Holderbaum explains what it's all about and …

If you want a successful career in the fire service, you need to be prepared to do more than just go to a few seminars and training events. Billy D. …

Rope rescue technology has made some major leaps in the past few years, but training may be lagging behind. Bob Duemmel gives us some tips for …

Social media is responsible for untold numbers of cases of SMACS –Social Media Assisted Career Suicides. Find out how to avoid killing your own …

When you live with your co-workers for 24-hours at a time, arguments are guaranteed to come up to come up. How you resolve them makes a huge …

Live wrap up of the day's events from San Diego

Coverage from Tuesday's events at Firehouse World 2018 in San Diego

Day two wrap up from San Diego

It’s Monday and that normally means a Code3 episode. But this week, we’re in San Diego for firehouse World 2018. So we don’t have a show for you today. But tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, I’ll have live coverage from …

Code 3 will have three days of live coverage of Firehouse World 2018, with wrap-up shows March 6, 7, and 8 at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern, from San Diego.

Picking the right-size line and matching it to the right nozzle for the type and size of structure on fire makes a huge difference. Battalion Chief Curt Isakson gives us some tips on what to use and when.

The Art of Reading Smoke can make you job easier. It can also save your life. Deputy Chief Phil Jose from Seattle says that reading smoke can tell you a lot about how to fight the fire it’s coming from. *** Ever notice …

The strange sleep schedules firefighters have may be bad for their health, says Dr. Sara Jahnke. She offers some advice on how to counteract the …

Mat Blankenship is a crusader in the fight to recognize concussions as a serious problem in the fire service. He believes they should be treated as a …

When Robert Avsec wrote a column for FireRescue1.com on the possible benefits of putting the company officer in the backseat of the rig, he had no …

Firefighter Brian Gettemeier joins Scott on this episode to discuss what great engineers do that makes them so valuable. After all, if the fire department wanted a truck driver, they’d recruit from a truck-driving …

Paul Mobley is the photographer behind the new coffee-table book, “American Firefighter,” and in this episode, we talk with him about what it took to …

Two segments in this show: A long-time volunteer firefighter, Captain Geoffrey Girodano at the Stevenson FD in Monroe CT, develops an advanced paging …

Scott’s guest this episode is David Wiklanski, who joins him to examine mental health issues among firefighters. It’s a real problem, and saying …

Do you feel the traditions that made this career great slipping away? Lots of members of the fire service do. Lt. Marc Aloan has seen this happen and he’s out to fix it. He joins Scott to explain how we can preserve the …

What happens when the crew doesn’t feel like training? Scott Peterson is the guest this episode to talk about excuses why we don’t train and don’t want to train. And what to do about it. ***If you enjoy Code 3, then …

Aaron Zamzow joins Scott to talk about firefighter fitness, why it’s not the same as other forms of fitness, and what exercises work best for keeping you in shape to fight fires.

A good on-arrival size-up can preparing incoming crews for what they’ll be doing, says David DeStefano. He gives us some tips for doing a great size-up.

The on-scene post-incident critique is an often-overlooked but very useful exercise, according to the episode's guest, Dr. Harry Carter. With over 50 …

Millennials are new to the fire service culture, and while some call them “snowflakes,” our guest this time, Tom Wiley, says they can actually do the …

Swiftwater and Technical Rescue expert Tom Pendley joins Scott to discuss the hazards of flash flooding, what rescuers need to know, and the worst mistake in swiftwater rescue he saw in his career.

We talk with Rockland, Maine Fire Chief Chris Whytock. A fan named Jared suggested we talk with him, so we did. He's running a small-city department …

There's no show today. Happy New Year!

The biggest buzzwords in EMS today are “community paramedicine.” It may allow firefighter/paramedics to concentrate on more urgent calls. Our guest is Matt Zavadsky, public affairs director at MedStar Mobile Healthcare.

There's no show today. Merry Christmas!

For our Christmas episode this year, we decided to take a look back at the seminal 1970s TV series "Emergency!" Scott sat down with three fire service professionals, Chief Scott Freitag, Battalion Chief Brad Davis, and …

Working on a roof can be dangerous, especially with the speed wood trusses and other members burn nowadays. But do you need to be on the roof at all? Is there a way to tell if one is nearing failure? Gary Bowker …

You probably go out on runs (more like walks) to change smoke alarm batteries, but our guest on this show says fire departments can do so much more to serve their communities. Daniel Byrne is a big advocate of taking …

Anthony Rowett, Jr. stops by Code 3 to discuss the need for using the proper hose size and nozzle for the specific kind of attack being made. Too often, he says, we chose the nozzle based on what we've been training …

With 70 percent of the total U.S. firefighters being volunteers, it's important to keep recruiting and retaining them. The NVFC's Kevin Quinn joins …

Extrication expert Dalan Zartman talks about alternative ways to rip open cars and save trapped victims.

Firefighters face an increased risk of developing any one of several types of cancer, and Brian McQueen is out to cut the number of victims. He's our guest on Code 3 this time.

The hiring process for firefighters is very competitive. This time, Mike Pertz, who runs the website FirefighterNOW.com, stops by to give us some tips for passing the written exam and then acing the interview phase.,

Scott visits the 10th Annual Company Officers' Academy at the Central Arizona Regional Training Academy and sits in on some size-up classes. Plus, …

Discussing the dangers of fentanyl for first responders with Central AZ Fire & Medical Authority EMS Capt. Doug Niemynski

Paramedic Kelly Grayson joins Scott to talk about the tools and techniques that were the latest and greatest thing 20 years ago but are no longer …

There's a lot more to being a company officer than just doing more paperwork. Consultant Linda Willing stops by Code 3 to talk about how what you say …

Once you pass the Engineer's exam and they hand you the certificate, you might be tempted to believe you know everything about the job. But there's still a lot to learn, and Jim Spell joins us this week to explain some …

Rick Lasky is our guest on Code 3 this week, discussing his program, Five-Alarm Leadership and a bit about the late Alan Brunacini, who recognized the importance of customer service in this profession early on.

Scott reviews the film about the Granite Mountain Hotshots, "Only the Brave" and talks with Yarnell Hill survivor Brendan Mc Donough and former hotshot Pat McCarty.

Amanda Marsh, the widow of Granite Mountain Hotshots' Superintendent Eric Marsh discusses what she thought of the film "Only the Brave, which features both Eric and Amanda prominently. She also talks about why she …

On Oct. 20, 2017, a major motion picture, titled, "Only the Brave," that tells the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, who lost 19 of the 20 men on the crew at Yarnell Hill in 2013, hits theaters across the nation.
…

There are good reasons to become a firefighter and the are bad ones. Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara County (CA) Fire Dept. explains the difference on this episode. **Become a patron of Code 3. Just …

Today's cars can be dangerous to a first responder. The latest technology to make your job tougher is "auto stop-start," which can cause a crashed …

Retired Battalion Chief Robert Avsec discusses some mistakes that engineers may make when operating on the fireground and how to avoid them.

Legendary former Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini stops by to talk leadership, both in the fire service and beyond. Since his retirement 10 years ago, he's been touring the country, giving seminars on the topic.

Author Mark van der Feyst stops by Code 3 this week to discuss apparatus safety on the fireground, The reminders he gives us could save the life of a …

Avondale Arizona Firefighter Kyle Winterstein has produced a great new 'day-in-the-life" video about his department. It took seven months and he had to learn new skills to do it.

Battalion Chief Brad Davis joined the fire service in 1991 as a reserve. His scariest call came a few years later, when he and a much more …

Peoria Fire-Medical Department Engineer Stephen Gunn has been named as one of 12 public safety officers to be awarded the Public Safety Medal of Valor by the United States Attorney General. He risked his life, and was …

The SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant has saved many struggling fire departments pay for enough people to staff full …

Every year, 30,000 firefighters are injured on firegrounds. How some of those accidents can be avoided is the topic this week with Prescott Fire Battalion Chief Scott Luedeman.

Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority EMS Captain Doug Niemynski describes what his job entails and talks about what emergency medical training helps prospective firefighters get hired.

Just 4 percent of Phoenix (Ariz) firefighters are women, and the department is actively recruiting more female firefighters. Capt. Reda Bigler discuss how and why they're doing that. **Don't forget to get our new Code 3 …

Mesa (Ariz) Fire & Medical Department Chief Mary Cameli is facing the same budget problems as most department are having these days, but she's overcoming them with some new ideas, proving once again that necessity …

Should fire departments continues to handle EMS calls? Or should private ambulance companies take it over? Would it save cities money do to that? …

As we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the LODD of 19 of the 20 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, we talk with the man …

Today's firefighters need a college education. Once upon a time, a man went to the academy, and jumped on the engine and learned on the job. Engineer …

Firefighting in the old days was wild and sometime,s violent, as competing fire companies tried to be the first to respond. Money was on the line, …

It's getting tougher to recruit volunteer firefighters these days, and Chief Robert Rielage says it might be because people don't even realize …

Lots of kids wanted to be a firefighter when they grew up, and then became one.
Not Nathan Green. He decided in college to give it a try and then knew …

Mayer Fire Capt. Tom Haney discusses how his department deals with EMS responses, when having two runs at the same time can mean he responds to EMS calls alone.

Central Arizona Fire's Jeremiah King talks Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in firefighters, his role in an Honor Guard, and why he likes being married …