Prepared To Fight Fire Podcast

Erik Vidal comes back to the show. We dive deep into Eriks time in the military, expeirence at Georgia Smoke Divers, and leading the way in his own life with self development. Follow Erik  @iamerikvidal 

Alex was Born and raised in Los Angeles. Spent 6 years in the army as a member of the 75th ranger regiment. He then went on to serve for 3 years as a military contractor. Alex currently Lives in Savannah, Georgia and is currently working for the Pooler Georgia Fire Department. He Currently works as a driver on the straight stick truck. 

Andy Glaze is a Father, Husband, Firefighter, Runner. He is currently married with 3 kids. He is currently a fire captain for the La Verne Fire Department in Los Angeles County, California. He is the president of the local 3624. He has run over 100 miles every week for 202 weeks in a row. He embodies what it means to go all in and runs a lot of ultramarathons all over the world, from China to Europe.

Michael D.N. Laughlin is a full- time career firefighter with Kingston Fire & Rescue. What makes his story unique, is that twice, Mike returned to his beloved job, after serious accidents that could have taken his life. At ages 26, and 35, he suffered major injuries, first to his left leg and arm. His leg functions because of permanent metal plates, pins and screws and is marked with skin graft scars. In an even more catastrophic second accident, when a deer ran out in front of his motorcycle, he became an above -knee amputee. He also broke his back and neck and his right leg could not be saved. 

Anthony Rowett, Jr. is a Captain with the Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue Department. He has been in the fire service for 18 years. He spent his first 3 years in the fire service as a firefighter with the Ogdensburg (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department before being hired by the Mobile Fire Rescue Department, where he has worked for the past 15 years. He has multiple degrees in both fire science and emergency services management. He is a graduate of the Alabama Smoke Diver course. He is the owner of Port City Fire Training. He is the President of the Alabama Firefighters Training Foundation. He is also an industrial firefighting instructor at Gulf Coast Emergency Response Academy. He is a contributing author for multiple fire service publications including Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue, Firehouse, Fire Department Training Network, and Firemanship Journal. He has instructed at multiple fire service conferences including FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Water on the Fire, High-Rise Operations Conference, 3rd Coast Conference, and others as well as for individual fire departments. He is also a FDIC H.O.T. instructor. He is a member of the NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems Committee. He is also a co-host on the Generation Engine podcast on Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio.

Mike was one of the pioneers of the South Florida CrossFit movement, when he opened upI Am CrossFit in 2008.He and his then partner, opened six total locations over the next eight years. He is the founder and organizer of the Crush Games, a nationally known fitness competition. In 2011, Mike also launched Formulx supplements which is known for its all-natural, grass-fed whey protein.Mike is also enjoying an 18 year career with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue as a Driver Engineer.

Matt Chan is 13yr professional firefighter from Denver, Colorado with an extensive fitness background. He's also known for six appearances in the CrossFit Games with four top 10 placements and one 2nd place podium finish. He was also featured on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson's show “The Titan Games” where Matt won season 2. Matt continues to pour his passion for fitness into the fire service presenting at fire conferences, writing academy programs for fire departments, as well as being the Health and Performance Lead at his agency.

Caleb Smith is an 8 year Firefighter in East TN, currently serving as an Engineer on a Quint and one of the founding members of Black Flag Fire Training.

Tyler Evans has 8 years in the fire service career and volunteer. He is Currently an Engine Co Captain. Tyler is the Creator of The Citizens Fireman where he shares training tips and networks with likeminded firefighters who are there to place those that they serve above themselves.

Dylan is currently a full-time career Firefighter/EMT for the city of New Smyrna Beach, FL.  and an Army veteran. He served in 1st Ranger Battalion as an infantryman and am Principal and Co-Founder at Brigands Co. As an entrepreneur and first responder, he has used his past experience in military leadership roles, transition into college programs, and securing positions in the civilian sector to help other veterans choose career paths. While working in e-commerce, he has set out to highlight those who strive to embody their own high standard of living. Brigands Co. continues to serve others while consulting for corporations, feature film/TV, and other organizations.

Keith Schmidt is a 51 years of age Husband and Father,  Veteran of the U.S Navy. Firefighter-Paramedic 35 years fire service  experience, has served at the Indianapolis Airport Fire Department for the past 22 years.   His mission to impact change for people Emotionally, Mentally, Physically. Find and connect with Keith  at the following:Tik Tok @keith.officalschmidt2020Instagram keith.schmidt2020

 Gregg Dixon is a retired Special Operations Captain for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. 37 total years in the fire service starting out as a volunteer, worked in the private sector at a Nuclear Power Station for 10 years as a firefighter/EMT. Started with Palm Beach County in 1996 as a Firefighter/EMT, then Firefighter/Paramedic, promoted as one of the first Rescue Lieutenant's, then Lieutenant, finished out as A Speciality Captain. Spent 26 of his 27 years with the County in Special Operations. He has also taught the Fire recruit program at IRSC for 22 years. 10 of those years as the Facility Lead Instructor till I retired from there in 2022. 

Lieutenant Jose Santos has worked for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue for 22 years. He was once a Firefighter Combat  Challenge competitor for 5 years. During that time, he learned from his training how to assist young men and women with the physical preparation for C.P.A.T. and P.A.T. testing. He also trains future candidates, both physically and mentally, for the stressors of the fire academy and department recruit academies. Lt. Santos believes physical readiness and fire grounds training are at the top of the list when it comes to call readiness, and career longevity. 

In this episode we have 2 Mile Rescue Company.  Josh and Keegan who are pioneering the company work in rural Colorado. 2 Mile Rescue Company is dedicated to seeking out the nuances in hard and soft skills, to create opportunities on the fire ground with minimal staffing.

Pablo Gener is a 16-year veteran of the fire service. In this episode, we will discuss his second to none passion for the job, his journey that led him to where he is now, mentors, and the importance of staying "prepared to fight fire".Pablo has been and is a member of special operations teams (TRT) and is a florida task force member. He has taught at multiple nationally recognized fire conferences and is also an instructor within his own training division, as well being an instructor with the National Rescue Consultants LLC and being the co-founder of Build Your Culture LLC.

Fire doesn't care if you are male or female, black or white and neither does she. She proves to herself every shift with work-ethic, passion, and grit that she is a asset in each and every way. She proudly holds the title Florida Smoke Diver. 

Rick Stephens currently holds the rank of Training CAPTAIN & has 25 years in the fire service. He has instructed all over the country including FDIC, HROC, FT Lauderdale Fire Conference. He is a active RIT instructor with his department. Ric has spent his entire career doing it right and being a true student of the craft while inspiring others through his relentless work ethic. 

Robert Ortega is United States Marine who did various jobs before falling in love with The Fire Service. He is very PASSIONATE and GRATEFUL for this AMAZING career he has SERVED 20 years in . He is a father of 5 with a VERY supportive Fire Wife . 

Tyler is currently a Lieutenant with Clearwater FD. He has 10 years in the fire service. He is Currently a Member of the CFR instructor cadre and Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team. He is currently the Cigar City FOOLS President. Follow him on instagram @ffpmdwhitfield

Eric Johnson, 21 years in fire service. Battalion Chief with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, held ranks of Battalion Chief, Special Operations Captain, Operational Captain, Lieutenant and Firefighter/ Paramedic. Chief Johnson is currently on FL-Task Force 2, a active Instructor in his departments recruit academy, and Special Operations Instructor.

Ben Wilson is a newly promoted Lieutenant who is a father of two sons, married to his wife named Lauren, and founder and instructor with F.D.I.R. Ben has been a fireman for 26 years. *10 career and 16 volunteer 

Eric Price is a Special Operations Captain and has been in the fire service for 29 years. Eric takes pride in holding a high standard, developing the people he works with, and lives by the mantra be accountable, and be responsible for your actions.

Rick Swales has 26 years on the job. He has worked as Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He retired from Georgia fire service 2022 and started as a recruit at the City of Grand Junction fire Department the same year. He was an adjunct instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy from 2006 to 2022. Rick is a Georgia Smoke Diver and is active every year with the program since 2008.

Chris is an active, professional Fire Captain with over 25 years of experience in the Fire Service, currently leading Municipal and Wildland Crews in Southern California. Chris has been training exclusively at Fire Dept facilities, outdoors, or his home garage gym for over 15 years. Chris' passion for mentoring and coaching has caused him to create effective and high-quality fitness programs for the arduous lifestyle of Fire Service Athletes. Chris has been married for 21 years to his wife Natalie, and they are raising two young men Joseph and Noah.

John Spera is a Husband, Father, & has been a Backseat Firefighter for 21 years. He is the founder and current owner of FIT TO FIGHT FIRE. John has led the way in FITNESS, FAITH,  AND FAMILY in the fire service since the day he took the OATH. 

Joel is the Training Captain for Escambia County Fire Rescue in Northwest Florida. He has been a career firefighter since September 3, 2003, starting in the Pensacola Fire Department and began as a junior firefighter in 1998. IHe has taught at local fire academies for 17 years and across the country for the Florida RIT Operations Group (FROG Team) since its inception.

Logan Broberg is an 8 year student of the fire service. He is currently assigned to an engine company as a chauffeur and ride up LT. He enjoy's pushing himself and making others around him better. He is currently a Georiga Smoke diver and has gone through the Georgia FLAMES program. This man is no stranger to failure and believes failure is necessary to advance in this career. Logan loves this job and will always believe it's the best job in the world. 

Tim Moody is a 26-year veteran of the fire service. He currently serves the citizens and firefighters of Marion County Fire Rescue as a Division Chief on B shift. He is a member of MCFR's Technical Rescue Team and Florida Task Force 8.  He's a Florida State Certified Smoke Diver, and a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu jitsu. Tim believes that everyone is leading someone, so it is up to us to lead well. 

Nathan Harpster is a veteran with the City of Phoenix Fire Dept where he has been a Firefighter for 18 years. He is a passionate advocate for health and wellness within the fire service. His goal is to help firefighters perform better, recover faster and live healthier leading by example with training, mindset and solid 360° wellness practices. Nathan believes we have a duty to the brotherhood, our families and ourselves to be ready for this job and beyond it.

Thiago is someone who will not lower his standard no matter the circumstance. He holds himself accountable and that allows him to have A expectation for everyone he works with. His passion, heart, and tenacious attitude is unmatched.

This episode is special to me because its my honor to call this man a friend, brother, and a mentor. We discussed several things but really dive into brotherhood, adversity, and why choosing hard over easy leads to success. 

My guest is Chris Flores. Chris has been a Firefighter for 14 years and is currently a Driver Engineer in Southern California. We dive into service at home and at work, mental health, & mastering self discipline. 

Jeremy Gilbert has been a Fireman for 20 years. He is driven to be 1% better every day and has a no quit spirit, and attitude. Jeremy holds the rank of Engineer at Mooresville Fire Department in North Carolina. 

Rob Ricci is a Captain in South Florida and has been a Firefighter for 16 years. We dive into mindset, expectations as a new guy, and promoting early in the fire service.

 Erik always dreamt of becoming a firefighter, and prior to fulfilling this dream he joined the military where he served for 10 years, during his active duty service was deployed overseas for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V.  Despite the danger and challenges he faced, Erik remained committed to his mission. After completing his time as an enlisted soldier, he went on to become an officer in the United States Army Aviation Corps, piloting the UH-60 and eventually achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 before separating from the United States' Military.