Beyond the Stretch

It is everybody's job no matter how small. That's the marching order in 2025 per Uncle Mike. 

Our leaders message to the rank and file typically involves the future of the organization. But what about the now?

Number 42 finds us talking about a wide array of topics, from reputations to high performers. We also plug our whiskey, Uncle Nearest 1856. 

Continuing on with our ghosts content, Mike and Vinnie discuss a fire in Houston, Texas that resulted in the loss of two firefighters from Houston FD. Some good information can be learned, especially in structures that are commonly found throughout our response districts. The NIOSH report is here:https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200013.html

Echoing a leadership analogy used by our friend; The Company Officer, Mike and Vinnie compare company officer interactions to the rumble strips on roadways. 

Kicking off Season 4 with a new concept. "Ghosts". We are going to discuss some challenges and unfortunate events firefighters experienced resulting in a LODD back in 1999. What did we learn from their sacrifice?

We finish a shorter episode talking about ourselves a little bit. Leading off is the question, “What would you be doing if you weren't a firefighter?”

The final episode of 2023 finds the two of us talking about the crazy new hiring processes departments are implementing in order to quickly fill their organization's ranks. Wrapping up 2023 talking about the hot topics of transfers, laterals, and abbreviated hiring. Happy New Year, and here's to a wonderful 2024. 

We take on a suggestion from one of our listeners and tackle the process of "bridging the gap" between the old school and new school firefighters. 

Nothing sets the the tone for a shift war like some stolen pumpkin spice coffee creamer. But how do we end the absurd behaviors?  Well, maybe buffaloes have the answer. 

The boys are back talking about the servant leadership mentality, and whether or not the breakdown for success is really occurring at the follower-ship level.

Chief Richard Ray joins Uncle Mike for the second consecutive year at the SC Fire-Rescue Conference. Chief Ray talks about his experience and perspective as a volunteer firefighter, which we often forget comprises the majority of firefighters in the USA. Uncle Mike and Chief Ray finish off by talking about recruitment and retention in today's work culture. 

Uncle Mike is joined live at the SC Fire-Rescue conference with Kevin Manhardt. He speaks about his multi-family dwelling class, life as a Squad boss, and what it takes to start a FOOLs Chapter. 

Live from the 2023 SC Fire-Rescue Conference, Uncle Mike is joined by two truck company hard-chargers. Both Ethan Tucker and Ryan Murphy, who happen to be adjust instructors for Truck Co. Ops, share their passion for truck work as they discuss their specific truck company related courses they presented at the conference. They talk about their motivation for developing the instructional content, and answer what job duties they love most on the fire ground. 

Number 30 of Beyond the Stretch focuses on new beginnings and changes. How do you handle these new opportunities?  Where does the motivation come from to produce positive outcomes, especially when you weren't necessarily prepared or happy to be placed in a different situation? From the ashes rises the Phoenix. 

In 29, we talk about the things we wish we knew earlier in our fire service careers, and provide some tips and tricks we've picked up to our listeners. 

We dabble in some intro music and learn about Uncle Mike's run in with a rap star. We then transition into talking about uphill battles and what it takes to love the process. 

No special guest? Nope, just Mike and Vinnie somehow relating Nicholas Cage to the fire service…

Season 3 starts off with two of the founding members of Fire Wife Life LLC joining us to talk about the reasons for their mission and how they have grown into the supportive global network they are today. 

TBD - Last episode of season 2. 

Squad boss and councilman, Capt. Mike Dozier joins us on the podcast. Author of The Company Officer page, he talks about the vital role a company officer plays inside the day-to-day firehouse life. 

There is a difference between being uncomfortable and being unsafe. Or is there?We talk about this and more in number 23. 

With New Year's resolutions in full swing, Mike and Vinnie discuss the discipline it takes to be successful. Uncle Mike also elaborates on the 21-day process of developing a successful habit. 

Closing out the year 2022, Uncle Mike and Cousin Vinnie try their best to define competency throughout the fire service ranks. It isn't as easy as you think...

Episode 19 is a discussion about the work-life balance. How well does the fire service really support the families of their members, and why is there such a turnover rate?  Where can we do better as organizations and is there a way to develop a culture of retention in today's ranks?

After a little break, we finally find ourselves back behind the microphones. In this episode we quick-hit several different topics we have saved to discuss as podcasters. We hope you all get some nuggets out of number 18.  

The unique relationship between supervisors and their team members that exists in the fire service, especially after discipline is discussed. 

A listener gives us a question that takes an entire episode to answer. How do we feel about  the unfortunate reality of a single responder in the fire service?

Our "Season 2" of BTS kicks off with Capt. Bobby Eckert of Camden, NJ. He is a salty veteran, and owner of Eckert Fire Tactics. We discuss his upcoming class in Myrtle Beach, SC and dabble into building construction as he speaks about infusing positivity into training. 

The last day of the 2022 SC Fire Rescue Conference makes Uncle Mike go rogue to connect with Battalion Chief Jonah Smith of Hornet Fire Training and The Charlotte Fire Department. A high-energy, positive teacher in the fire service, the two of them discuss challenges in today's fire service before closing with engine company operations. 

Lucky episode number 13 introduces Mr. Chance Craven of Craven Design Co. A professional photographer who documents firefighters while they train and perform on the fire ground. Also a certified firefighter, Chance describes his mission to capture imagery in the fire service to both Mike and Vinnie at the 2022 SC Fire Rescue Conference. 

Battalion Chief Richard Ray is a 27-year veteran of the Durham Fire Department in North Carolina. He has presented at multiple fire conferences including FDIC and SAFRE. He is a member of the UL FSRI technical panel and a contributor for Fire Engineering. His passion and commitment for the fire service is palpable as we talk to him live at the 2022 SC Fire Rescue Conference. 

Violence of Action is a doctrine of military units, especially in special warfare. We define this term and discuss how to establish this mindset for our mission. 

The roles and responsibilities for mid-level bosses in the fire service frequently change and are challenging. They can fluctuate between administrative and technical. Uncle Mike discusses this as he compares the look of the officer's uniform as either stained or starched. 

Uncle Mike is keeping it

We all find confetti in our personal and professional lives. Cousin Vinnie uses this analogy to describe how long cultural and professional growth takes to occur, and that sometimes the reminders of the "old way" that still linger can be a positive reminder of your journey. 

Uncle Mike and Cousin Vinnie try to answer a listener's email question about incident scene size-ups. They will discuss every aspect of evaluating the incident scene and the implementation of tactics that are associated to what the first arriving incident commander encounters. 

Cousin Vinnie gets some microphone time explaining why the engine should be considered a specialty company in the fire service. Does heavy rescue and truck loving Uncle Mike agree?

Uncle Mike ties our first four BTS episodes together with a story of the Sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. We reveal what our motivation was to start a podcast, and talk about the vulnerability and risk associated with leadership. 

Jocko's 4 principles of combat leadership is the focal point of this episode's conversation. We will discuss the leadership principles in detail, and share stories relating these four principles to the fire service. 

Uncle Mike picks things back up with his explanation of the episode's title. 

The co-hosts explain why they are both mutually invested in one another's departments. Breaking down barriers and understanding that everyone is trying to accomplish the same goal is what matters.

Get to know the co-hosts Uncle Mike and Cousin Vinnie as the share their personal experiences discovering the fire service while attempting to get on the job as career firefighters. They will talk about how long the typical hiring process took for applicants in the early 2000's in comparison to today's new hires.