The Weekly Scrap

Joined on this episode by Uncle Ray himself, Mr. Smoothbore Santa... keep fire in your life.... Ray McCormack!!! It was an awesome episode as we dive into nozzles, and what it takes to design your own signature series nozzle. We talked about his projects and get a sneak preview of what he will be releasing soon!!! And of course everything that the audience threw at us, which was a lot!!!!!   It was an amazing episode... enjoy!!!

Joined for this episode from the future once more, my brother from down-under... the one and only Gerard Mann.  We had an amazing conversation that covered a broad range of topics!  We discussed the importance of getting outside your walls, the importance of education.  Passion vs. Education and the traps involved. The downside of being right and angry. The importance of simplicity... and so much more... of course none of the planned topics include all of the excellent questions that the audience threw our way.

Joined on this episode by the one and only Anthony Avillo! We discussed the release of his newly updated book... Fireground Strategies 4th Edition.  It promised to be a good episode and we deep dove into gaining better control of an escalating fireground. The differences between exterior and interior size-up. The modern fire environment plus so much more!  Of course as always, the audience took over and had a huge part to say in what was discussed as they throw their awesome questions our way!  Enjoy the episode!!!!

Joined by the one and only Dr. Benjamin, and it was a fun discussion.  We talked about so much when it comes to leadership, and the dive was much deeper than all the normal cliché buzzwords.  Experience Vs. Wisdom.  The Ego trap. The real cause of Burnout! Devastating the morale. How damaging intentions can be... all of this was on the agenda plus everything that the audience threw our way.  It was an awesome time!!!!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Cody Trestrail... he currently holds the record with the #1 most listened to Scrap of all time! You do not want to miss him coming back once more... we discuss all things about the upcoming Firemanship conference... and then move onto his passion and what drives him!  His six musts for THEM.... and of course... everything that the audience threw his way!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Chris 'Dragon' Scott.  I was excited about this conversation because the planned topics were off the charts!! The journey of passion.  How taking action leads to opportunity. the unbelievable power of relationships and what can be accomplished when you reach out to humble brothers and sisters. All of this and of course the great questions that the live audience completely destroyed with!!!!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Steven Shaffer and it promises to be an awesome discussion!  We start off by having Chief Shaffer talk about the Beacon Street LODD fire and the lessons learned.  then we shift gears and talk about Steven's mindset towards training, training, and more training! Peer support and how to handle the tough-times when they come along. He has a unique perspective and there is a lot of value in what we discussed! 

Joined on this episode by one of the first ten guests of the Scrap... Mr. Fire Inside himself... Marc Aloan. It was an amazing episode as we dep dive into followership and craftmanship and the decline of the importance of tenure in modern society.  We  discuss Dunning/Kruger and how it plays a part. Impact Vs. image and which one does your department care about? Quality Vs. Quantity and how it goes into everything including calls and our approach to personnel.  It promises to be an awesome discussion and that does not even include all of the amazing questions that we got from the live audience!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Keith Stakes! It was an amazing show!!!! We discussed research, research, research and how effective our operations are! The audience absolutely brought the questions for this one and it led to an amazing, amazing discussion as Keith absolutely crushed them! If you like data and you like tactics, then this is the Scrap for you!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Nick Papa and I am super excited for all that we got to discuss. We talked about how to make an impact in your organization. How to shift the paradigm and the importance of setting your new people up for success. How to build a legacy for your department that you can be   proud of... and as always there was the the amazing questions and topics brought up by the audience!!!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Chris Sleigher and I am excited for the conversation. We discuss the power of relationships and networking in the fire service and the impact he has made along the way. From Fire by Trade to Fire Nuggets and everything in between!  Not to mention we dicuss throwing water around and nozzle work!  All of this plus the great questions from the audience along the way!  

Joined on this episode by four of the big players involved in the Lullwater fire of 2014. We deep dive into the events of that fire and the ensuing Mayday and near miss. How it was handled and the lessons learned. You do not want to miss this one because it is soooo good! We look forward to seeing you all live this Monday evening, February 17th... live on YouTube at 8pm cst!!!!

Joined on this episode by my friend and mentor, the one and only Dena Ali. We plan to discuss her new book "Hope Out Of Darkness", and the impact it has already had. We will be digging into mental health and the fire service. You know we will be diving down some rabbit holes! Of course the main discussion was driven by the wonderful questions from the audience, and Dena absolutely crushed it in her answers!  This one has some great insight, enjoy!!!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Jimmy Davis and it was a good one! We discussed the culture and value of training, aligning priorities, how to assess your mindset. The 10 factor error reduction... Input vs. output... and all of this barely scratched the surface of what he wanted to come on and discuss. Of course got wonderfully derailed by the beautiful questions from the audience. Enjoy the episode!!!

Joined on this special (unplanned episode) by none other than PJ Norwood. We have a whole lot to talk about including his story of donating life to a friend, and why we are spreading the word. Of course it is PJ Norwood so there was a lot of tactics, and why we should stop believing and start knowing. Fire behavior was on the agenda... plus as always... everything the audience threw our way! 

Joined on this episode by none other than uncle Don himself! I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint! Another great conversation as we discussed the power of the little things. The importance of building relationships, and of course the lessons he has learned throughout his life. It was an amazing ride, and that does not even include all of the great questions that the audience threw our way. 

Joined on this episode by one of the most influential mentors in my life, especially on the topic of leadership. We planned to discuss leadership, no matter what level of the organization you are in. How to not only survive, but also thrive in a toxic atmosphere. How to develop a high performance team. The power of letting your people be heard. All of this was on the agenda, and of course was thrown wildly off-course by the wonderful questions from the audience as they drove the show! It was an amazing episode that turned into a 90 minute soundbite!!!

Joined on this episode by one of the hardest workers I have met. John Velez of Tailboard Misfits. We talk about the mission of bringing value to the fire service. His journey and missteps along the way. The power of shared experiences as well as shared suffering. And the impact of good conversations, and why it is so hard to have them in the modern social media fueled world. All of this is of course what was planned and was beautifully derailed by the awesome questions from the audience! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only James Geering. he is the host of the Behind the Shield podcast which has over 1000 episodes and going strong. We plan to discuss his new book "Kinder" and of course when you talk to James you are going to get straight talk about Mental health and first responders. We discuss shift-schedules as well as all of the brilliant questions that come from the audience each and every week. 

Joined on this episode by one of my favorite Chief's, also the author of one of the books that was foundational in starting Firehouse Vigilance, none other than Chief Rick Lasky. It is our annual end of year show (this is year two and I plan to keep it going as long as he is willing)! We discuss the concepts of Pride & Ownership and how the timeless principles have stood the test of time as well as what has changed about the job. It was an amazing and fun as well as introspective show, which of course was guided by the great questions from the audience!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Dr/Chief David Griffin. it was an amazing Scrap as we discuss the topics of  Resiliency, toxic leadership, mental health, Excellence, Leadership, Growth, Overcoming Adversity, Tragedy, Triumph, Culture and Mindset... and that does not even include the questions and comments that the audience brought! It is an amazing episode with a strong finish that left me at a loss for words. 

Joined once again by the incomparable Aaron Fields to have another amazing discussion about his mindset and philosophies towards training. His methodologies, how they were developed and why he is so adamant in their application. We get to discuss linguistics, and its impact on the Fire service, as well as every topic the audience threw our way!  If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Aaron Fields and I was super excited for this episode! 

Joined on this episode by none other than Chris Gilpin! We talk about a lot of different topics and the most important one is of course training! We discuss the history of training from his perspective and how we have arrived at the place where we are. The things we are getting right as well as what we could be doing better. The incident that changed his perspective on training.... and of course the best laid plans of me and the guest are always waylaid by those beautiful questions from the audience. It was a great Scrap.  Enjoy!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Lee Forshner. Been trying to make this one happen for a while, and was able to do so this week because of a short notice cancelation.  It was a heavy Scrap as we discussed his journey and the challenges that he faced and overcame along the way.  Mental toughness and adversity was on the agenda, as well as a few beautiful questions from the audience. 

Back to back, a double-header!  Firefighter Mayday Survey talk with one of the firefighters I love the most. We deep dive into the project that is launching soon, the Firefighter Mayday Survey.  We will talk about Don Abbot and Project Mayday, its connection to this project as well as every way that you, the American Fire service can get involved. Of course, we planned for and expected the audience to show up with their awesome questions.

Joined by one of my favorite people on the planet, the incomparable Andy Starnes. We talk about TIC's and the fire service, it is old technology, so why are we so ill-versed in its use! Thermal Imaging and search. Firefighters and disorientation and the role of the TIC.  Of course with Andy you can always expect a dose of the truth about life, relationships and the job. As always our best laid plans get beautifully waylaid by the phenomenal questions form the audience, and Andy crushes each and every one. 

Joined on this episode by the incomparable Steve Shaw! We plan to talk about soap and saws as well as South Florida forcible entry versus the rest of the country. Family in the fire service. Sharing a firehouse with strong personalities and making it work as well as training, training and training.  Of course the best laid plans are always wonderfully derailed by the fantastic questions of the audience.

Joined by the one and only Mitch Huner.  We discuss the Fire Service infatuation with doing more with less. Adapt and overcome, and why we rely on it. The resulting economics and lack of tool versatility. Challenges of manufacturing in USA, and supporting firefighter owned businesses. We touch on the beast of cancer and of course everything and anything the audience threw at us!  It was an amazing Scrap. 

Joined once more by one of my favorite firefighters, and one of my favorite guests, the one and only Chief Mike Lombardo!  We discuss... whatever he wanted to talk about...and it was awesome. He started by talking about two impactful LODD's from Buffalo while he was there... and how that applied to his approach to training.  As always the audience ultimately determined the direction when they ask their beautiful questions.  

Joined on this episode by Frank Leeb and Billy Goldfeder to discuss their new book "30 Fires You Must Know".  In this Mega Scrap, Chief Colleen Walz and Chief Randy McGregor break down the fires that they were a part of. it was an amazing Scrap, and as always the awesome questions that the audience asked added to the show! 

Joined on this episode by none other than the one and only Captain Dale Jenkins, and I was fired up for this one!  We planned to discuss the changes in the fire service both good and bad over the decades.  What we are getting right and what we can improve upon. The importance of drilling, and how much depends on your mindset towards drills. The best place that firefighters can find a helping hand. Butt-pucker factor, especially in regards to ventilation. What it means to be a hypocrite in the fire service. Of course our best laid plans are always controlled by the amazing questions of the audience and this one was no exception.  Great Scrap!!

The return of the one and only Justin McWilliams! I was looking forward to all that we planned to talk about and was not disappointed! The first due engine, the priority of the first line, reports of victims. Helmet cams: editing, posting & commenting. Textbooks! Social Media vs. phone call vs. face to face. Lessons from instructing, the impact of decision makers in your organization, and of course the caveat always holds... the audience is who actually determines the rabbit holes that we deep dive into! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only Erich Roden, super excited for the conversation and the topics. We talk about a tale of two firehouses, Engine Company  Operations, Fireground Operations from the chief officer's perspective, diving into data... and of course none of this includes all of the great questions that the live audience always throws at us!  

Joined on this episode by the one and only Eric Tollund. We talk about a wide range of topics including recognition of those who shaped us, engine operations, standpipe operations, and deep diving into the mental element of preparation and mindset.  The grind of life, city politics, poor leadership. And of course that does not include the wonderful questions from the audience who always take control of the Scrap and drive the direction. Enjoy another phenomenal episode!

Joined on this episode by the man who has taken more notes than any person I know, Kyle Romagus. He is coming on to share his wisdom as he breaks down an all new whiteboard. Episode #75 of the Scrap is one of the all time, most watched episodes and Kyle is coming back to do it again, this time with an all new whiteboard that he has been working on and refining. So grab your drinks and popcorn and enjoy another amazing whiteboard breakdown by Kyle Romagus!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Steve Kaiser, checking in from the future, and from Australia.  We discuss the Aussie approach to training methodology, Structural firefighting and water application.  The importance of decon and their approach to it, knowing your craft and staying plugged in.  It was an awesome time, and of course as always the direction and topics were ultimately controlled by the awesome questions from the audience!  

Joined on this episode by Chief John Lightly and we had lots of stuff to discuss. Topics include, Good VS. Toxic Leadership, mindset and creating change in your organization.  The ways in which instructors are failing and how we can improve.  The Curse of knowledge. When to follow the book and when to throw it out the window.  And of course that is just the tip of the iceberg and does not include the wonderful questions that the audience derailed our plans with! Enjoy the show!!!

I am back from my globe trotting and excited to be joined on this episode by the OG of the Scrap, Mr. Episode 11, Cort Smith.  We dive deep into his philosophy on training recruits and why he believes it is such an overlooked topic.  We discuss tradition and it's impact on training. Of course the audience as always determined the direction and actual rabbit holes we dove down. It was an amazing episode with a lot of useful resources offered.  Enjoy!

Guest host, Chief Scott Thompson, was joined on this episode by Bret Stidham. They discussed Starting the USAR team in Dallas, rising the ranks, leadership And of course all the questions and comments that the audience had!  It was an amazing Scrap! Don't miss this one!

There was a lot of mystery surrounding episode #260 and what exactly was going on with it, but one thing that was not a mystery was the guest.  It was none other than Phil Jose and the topics that were discussed were, the Art of Reading Smoke, Naturalistic decision making and training. This one got into into the weeds on making decisions and it was a Scrap you do not want to miss.  Find out what was going on last Monday night!!

Joined on this episode by Arthur Ashley, as always,  he is never afraid to speak his mind.  We talked truck work, truck work and truck work,  Time is opportunity,  Never forgetting where you came from, How arrogance is killing the fire service, Rank vs. Legacy and so many wonderful topics that the audience threw our way!  Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I had making it!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Chris Wessels. We discuss the difference between a culture of safety and a culture of aggression.  The power of mentoring. The epiphanies that impacted his career... and his take on family and the impact of the fire service on it.  Of course the questions and comments that the audience brought, as always drove the show.  Enjoy!!

One of the best Scraps of all time!!!! Over 68 years of history to dive into as I am joined by one of my favorite people, Dave McGrail.  I have wanted to make it happen for a very long time and it finally happened... we will be joined by his father Pat McGrail for an epic, one-of-a-kind Scrap.  From 1955 to 2023 there has been a McGrail working at the Denver FD and we dive into that legacy and tradition.  Of course you can always count on the audience to bring the best questions and topics for discussion! Killer Scrap!!!

Joined on this episode by Mr. Smoklahoma himself!  We discuss what the citizen expects when they call 911, and get ready because it is a gut-punch!. Adjusting your mindset towards the job. Mental toughness and the OSD program... and one of my favorite topics, BJJ and the fire service!  It promised to be a fun discussion and of course the amazing questions and comments from the live audience absolutely delivered! Enjoy!

Joined on this episode by Andrew Pristach and we had a lot of topics to cover!  We discuss forcible entry and training realism. Skill acquisition, training theory and stress.  Tool design and the challenges and processes involved. Of course that is just what we had planned and does not include the wonderful topics and questions from the audience! Enjoy!!!

Very excited for this episode as I am joined by the always awesome Rich Stack. We discuss leading from the front. Having the moral courage to call a mayday. Family and the fire service, the sacrifices and the struggle. Training your instincts and of course... blitz attack!  And as every scrapper knows, that is only what we had planned and does not include all of the wonderful questions from the audience that make the Scrap so amazing! 

Joined on this episode by the one and only Micah Horton, and it an awesome Scrap!  Our topics include: The Anecdotal vs. fact based training.  The evolution of technology and tactics. How to broaden your perspective and your departments. Why probationary year is not the year for firefighters to become the best janitors the department ever had... and that does not include all of the discussion and questions from the audience!  Enjoy!!!

Joined on this episode by none other than Bryan LaFleur himself! Highly requested guest and it was a great conversation. We start off by talking about building a truck culture from the ground up. Then we discuss a legacy of mentorship, creating cultures of accountability, the culture of why? How to let your failures drive you and so much more. Of course that does not include everything that the audience brought our way, and they always bring the best questions.  

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 Scrap...enjoy!!!!

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 espresso, your snacks and most importantly your attention!  Thanks for being here for 250!!!!

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!