Listen in to this Firefighter Training Podcast on what is situational awareness and why it's a must have skill for everyone in the fire service from the firefighter to the incident commander.

David Soler discusses with Rich Gasaway the specifics of what it is and how we can develop it.  David also shared a  situation of when he did not have situational awareness and things went wrong in a hurry.

Learn more at FirefighterToolbox.com/050

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1. Strategies for maximum efficiency and maximum safety when when firefighting personnel are faced with an attic fire.
2. The dangers firefighters encounter when dealing with attic/compartment fires.

In this firefighter training episode, Mike Daley gives us a short course on Attic Fires 101.

We discuss:

• Understanding fire behavior and fire ground tactics.
• The risks involved in facing attic fires.
• The current trends in construction and how they affect fire ground safety.
• Strategies in identifying the presence on an attic fire.
• Strategies in extinguishing attic fires and keeping your firefighting personnel safe.
• Useful tools when dealing with compartment fires.

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

• Dominating fireground with the Pig Tool.
• Believing in yourself and your ideas, and going for it.

In this firefighter training episode, Chris Moren shares with us how he came up with the Pig Tool and the advantages of having one in your firefighting toolbox.

• How Chris came up with creating the Pig tool.
• Why the tool is called "The Pig"?
• Tips on getting the most use out of your Pig.
• Specifications and features of the Pig Tool.
• The importance of why the Pig is set at 8 lbs.
• Know Chris Moren the firefighter.
• Getting an idea and running with it.

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1. The qualities that make a great firefighter.
2. The 6 C’s found in a great leader.
3. Applying the “I am third” attitude in your life.
4. How you can motivate your crew to continue working on becoming great firefighters.

In this firefighter training episode, Rob Cannon shares with us the elements of great leadership, and their role in taking you to where you want to be in your life and in your organization.

Are you ready to become a leader? Ask yourself:

• How is your relationship with your colleagues?
• Are you morally, mentally, and physically prepared?
• Are you willing to do the right thing even when no one’s looking?
• How well do you know your job?
• Do you have the courage to do what needs to be done?
• Can you express your ideas and your feelings respectfully and professionally?
• Are you committed to your cause?
• Are you living up to your character ideas?
• What are you willing to work for?

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1. The importance of setting goals in achieving personal success.
2. Some tips and how-tos on how to set effective goals.
3. Studies on how writing down goals can get you closer to achieving them.

We want to be great firefighters. We want to take our skills to the next level. How? In this firefighter training episode, David Soler teaches us about the one thing we have to do to start moving forward: Set Goals.
He discusses why you should:

• Know where you are in your career and know where you’re going.
• Say “yes” or “no” to certain things based on how it will help you achieve your goals.
• Write down your goals. Keep your eye on the prize.
• Set SMART goals
• Come up with specific goals using the three Ws: What, Why, Who?
• Break down your plan and focus on one thing at a time.
• Have an accountability partner

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1. How to do a force/entry size up
2. How to determine the correct strategy for forcing a door.
3. The how-to’s on forcing entry by going thru-the-lock.

In this firefighter training episode, Sean Wilson of Search & Destroy Fire Training gives us a quick guide on the whys and hows of forcible entry. We discuss:

• The 2 major elements that affect your approach on making a forced entry.
• Why fire service personnel should care about minimizing property damage.
• Always bring your irons as Plan B.
• The different kinds of locks, where you can find them, and what you can use to open them.
• Why you should always have your tools with you on every call.
• Benefits of having a forcible entry bag.
• The 3-step process of force entry through the lock
• Getting your hands dirty: How and where to get some practice.

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1- How you can start preparing and becoming a better fire officer.

2- What it takes to be a leader in the fire service.

In this firefighter training episode, Frank Viscuso guides us as we take the reigns on our journey to become the leader the fire service deserves and needs.

We discuss in depth

• How and why we should invest in our future.
• Surrounding ourselves with people that will push us to be better.
• The 4 best ways to learn
• How to become a better officer on the fire ground.
• Instincts and muscle memory – why we should practice, practice, practice.
• The importance of having your resources and tactical support tools on hand.
• Ways we can prepare or train ourselves to be confident on the field
• and much more

Listen in to this firefighter training podcast and learn:

1- The whys and hows in using Enhanced Water Streams (EWS)  in the fire service.

2- How Enhanced Water Streams (EWS) helps in improve safety for our fire service personnel.

In this firefighter training episode, I talk with Chief Shawn Oke Co-Founder of Kill The Flashover about Enhanced Water Streams and why this is the future of the fire service.

Questions that get answered:

• What are the main differences between wetting agents vs foam?
• What is an Enhanced Water Stream (EWS)?
• How does EWS improve efficiency in firefighting?
• What are the Pros and Cons of using EWS?
• How do these EWS solutions affect your current delivery system?
• What basic information should we look up when choosing a concentrate?
• How does EWS improve site safety?
• and much more

In this firefighter training episode, I talk with Capt Bob Farrell about the creation of the Halligan bar, Pro Bar, Shove Knife, Saws, Maxximus Halligan, and many more that Capt Farrell created or knows the story behind it.

We also talk about awesome stories throughout his career, 9/11, how the coffin cut, trench cut and so much more was created and named.  This is a once in a lifetime interview and it's one of my favorites.

Capt Farrell's career spans the times in the 60's & 70's known as "The War Years"

Captain Farrell’s tenure at Engine 82 / Ladder 31 was considered the “The War Years” (1960’s
-1970’s) and was arguably the busiest firehouse in the world! The conditions in the Bronx
during these times were conditions similar to war zones. Companies would respond to fire
after fire, most times non-stop. And Bob was in the thick of the action for many years.

In this firefighter training episode, I talk with Dr. Karlie Moore of Fit For Duty Consulting and a Contributor with Firefighter Toolbox about the 5 common exercises that most of us do and that are hurting us or are going to hurt us.  This means we should be avoiding these exercises!

Let's learn which ones they are and what we should do instead.

Exercises to avoid are sit-ups, calf raises on a machine with the weight on our shoulders, and more.

In this Firefighter Training Episode… In this firefighter training episode, we train on how to gear up fast and effeciency every time. Just like professional athletes have a specific “routine” for getting mentally focused and prepared for their shot/performance,  great firefighters...

The post 035- How To Gear Up Even Faster appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

About Episode 34: In this episode, David J. Soler shares the best way/how to wear a portable radio so that it is protected and ready when we need it.  In some departments, the importance of properly carrying and protecting your portable radio is not stressed enough. If we look at videos of firefight...

The post 034- The Best Way How To Wear Our Portable Radios appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

About Episode 033: In this firefighter training episode, I talk with Captain Erik Wood about getting up to speed as a new fire officer.  We all know it takes more than lieutenant’s bars to lead a crew effectively.  Making decisions on the fireground, running drill night, and keeping your own skills ...

The post 033- How To Get Up To Speed As A New Officer appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

About FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #032 In this episode, we learn the 4 things we need to know about Autism as firefighters.  Autism is growing rapidly and 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with autism.  Firefighters are inflicting unknown pain unto these patients because of ...

The post 032- 4 Things We Must Know About Autism As Firefighters appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

About this Episode 031: Whether you are a firefighter or an officer, getting a new firefighter up to speed is essential.  In this episode, I talk with Lt. John Hayowyk, Jr. about ways to do just that in both volunteer and career departments.  Topics include: Understanding and embracing your initial ...

The post 031- How To Get Up To Speed As a Firefighter appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

About the Firefighter Toolbox Podcast Episode #30: In this episode, I talk with Mark von Appen of Fully Involved about what it takes to be a great firefighter and a true leader in the fire service. Topics include: The value of learning for a lifetime and from everyone The positive and negative aspec...

The post 030- Fully Involved with Mark vonAppen appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #029 Authority Interview with Chief Bobby Halton, Editor In Chief at Fire Engineering Magazine About this Episode: Intro Provided by:  Mark vonAppen from FullyInvolved In this episode, I interview  Fire Engineering’s Editor In Chief and t...

The post 029- Authority Interview- Fire Engineering & FDIC Chief Bobby Halton appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #028 Interview with Chief Jim Murphy About this Episode: Intro Provided by:  David Jeffers, Morrisville FD (VT), 2014 Fire Class from Holland, MI In this episode I interview Chief Jim Murphy on what it takes to be a great firefighter and leader...

The post 028- It Takes Heart To Be A Great Firefighter appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #027 Interview with Dr Onieal About this Episode: Intro Provided by:  FDNY Battalion Chief Mike Meyers and  Baltimore City FD Captain Josh Fannon. In this episode I interview Dr Onieal on what it takes to be a great firefighter and leader.  We ...

The post 027-Leading From The National Fire Academy appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

Are You Smarter Than A Probie? Game Show About the show: The Firefighter Toolbox’s “Are You Smarter Than A Probie?”  game show. Where firefighters are asked questions from the FFI and FFII books and exams. Listen in and see if you are smarter than a probie and if today’s firefighte...

The post 026-Are You Smarter Than A Probie? Game Show appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #025 Interview with Alan Brunacini About this Episode: Intro Provided by:  Ryan Pennington of ViewsFromTheJumpseat.com  and Frank Viscuso, author of Step Up & Lead. In this episode I discuss several important aspects of being a great firefi...

The post 025- Long Term Leadership with Chief Alan Brunacini appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #024 Hoarder Firefighting:  What We Need to Know! Interview with Ryan Pennington About this Episode: Intro Provided by: Battalion Chief Mike Meyers, FDNY Hoarding has been becoming a growing concern in our communities.  How does this affect us ...

The post 024- Hoarder Firefighting: What We NEED to know! appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #023 Interview with City Administrator Bill Shanahan About this Episode: Intro provided by Dillon Messina, Tampa, FL What is like being a city administrator?  We, as firefighters,  get frustrated with the politics and the city/town officials.  ...

The post 023- Politics, The Mayors Office and the Fire Service appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #22 Interview with Chief Dennis Rubin About this Episode: Intro Provided by: Robert Simmons, Chief of training for US army Fire and Emergency Services in South Korea Listen in to hear about Chief Rubin’s opinion on what it takes to be a g...

The post 022- Rube’s Rules For Leadership And Survival appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #021 A Discussion with Buffy Schilling about firefighter health and fitness About this Episode: Intro Provided by: Chief Rob Fling, Dix Hills Vol. Fire Dept, Dix Hills (Long Island), NY In this episode David talks with Buffy Schilling about fir...

The post 021- Keys to Firefighter Fitness & Health appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

FirefighterToolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #008 Interview with Joe Starnes of The Kill The Flashover Project About Joe Starnes: Joe has over 34 years in the fire service and he is the Co-Founder and Manager for the Kill-The-Flashover Project . Joe is also the past chief of the Sandy Rid...

The post 008-Kill The Flashover Project with Joe Starnes appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.

Firefighter Toolbox Podcast/ Internet Radio Show Episode #20 Interview with Chief Christopher James About this Episode: (After this exclusive interview, we felt Chief James did an outstanding and honest job of sharing what it takes to be a great leader and chief.  Therefore, I titled the interview a...

The post 020 – Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Great Chief? appeared first on FireFighterToolBox.