This week’s episode has it all — snacks, sarcasm, shout-outs, and snail mail. The guys take a break from the heavy topics and go full-on firehouse fun mode in this Fantasy Appetizer Draft episode. Who picked the best three-game day snacks? That’s up to YOU to decide!

Plus:
🚨 A big-time merch announcement
📬 New messages from listeners in our Snail Mail segment
👨‍🚒 Tips for new recruits starting the Fire Academy
🧂 Unkie’s Seasonings update
🔥 A call to action that’ll get your stomach growling

🥨 Pigskin Appetizer Draft:

5 firemen. 3 rounds. Snake-style draft.
Game Day Food Showdown.

Pick Highlights:

• Freddy: Pulled pork nachos, jalapeño poppers, cheeseburger egg rolls

• Matt: Spinach artichoke dip (in a bread bowl), sliders, pigs in a blanket

• Unkie: Classic meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, deviled eggs

• Brian: Boneless wings (or chicken nuggets 🤔), queso dip, cheeseburger sliders

• Doug: Traditional wings, pizza, bacon-wrapped little smokies

🎯 You decide who won — vote on Instagram or Spotify!

🧢 Merch Announcement:

We’ve officially partnered with Notorious Fire Company for all Cool Fireman Podcast gear!
👕 Hoodies, shirts, hats — it’s all coming.
👉 Check thecoolfireman.com and our Instagram bio for updates.
Spoiler: It may already be live!

📬 Snail Mail Highlights:

• Don’t Kick My Dog 34 asked about fire academies — the crew drops major tips on mindset, heat acclimation, fitness, and claustrophobia training.

• Jacob Quartarella reached out about finding a mentor in the fire service. The team shares ideas for making connections when you don’t have firehouse contacts.

• Kenny Mitchell remains undefeated in the “Who Listens First?” challenge… can YOU beat him?

💬 Notable Quotes:

“Spinach artichoke dip… and you eat the bowl too!” – Matt
“Boneless wings are chicken nuggets with an ego.” – Doug
“That garlic and herb seasoning? Almost sold out.” – Unkie
“Every day in the academy is a job interview.” – Brian
“Respectful discourse? Always. Disrespect? No time for it.” – Doug
“We haven’t made a dime… but the brotherhood we’ve built? Worth it.” – Matt

🧠 Tips for Fire Academy Recruits:

• Acclimate to heat by wearing turnouts around the house

• Practice wearing a facepiece to build comfort and prevent panic

• Get your textbook early and start studying

• Tie knots and practice skills now — don’t wait

• Treat every day like a job interview

• Ask meaningful questions and stay humble

🎯 Call to Action:

🗳️ Vote for your favorite draft lineup!
Drop the name of the host whose appetizer picks you think are unbeatable.
🔥 BONUS: Try to beat Kenny Mitchell by being the first comment on our Friday episode post for a chance at a prize pack.

🎧 Listen Now On:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📅 New episodes drop every Friday at midnight PT

This episode is half Halloween chaos, half serious kitchen-table mentorship talk — with a little FD candy in between.

🎃 Costumes? Check.
😷 Smelling like sweaty Cheetos? Sadly, also check.
💥 Real firehouse talk about mentorship, generational shifts, and showing up for your crew? Absolutely.

We pick up where Episode 129 left off — answering listener comments, tackling social media backlash, and diving deep into what mentorship really means in today’s fire service.

💬 In This Episode:

• 🎃 Halloween Vibes:
  Doug's dressed as a nun. Brian rocks the Scream mask. Matt's just sweating in a USA tee.
  Spoiler: We're not as funny as we think we are, but we try.

• 🚨 Snail Mail Reactions:
  The clip heard around the firehouse — we clarify the “your time isn't more important than mine” statement.
  → It’s not about sick leave. It’s about respect and doing the right thing.

• 🔥 Mentorship Talk – Part 2:

  • Are rookies today really “soft” — or just different?

  • Why the way you were taught might not work anymore.

  • Creating an environment where rookies feel safe asking questions.

  • Holding onto accountability while ditching the unnecessary ego.

• 👶 New Firefighters & Generational Shifts:

  • Lateral hires, job-hopping, and the shift from fear-based leadership

  • The power of appreciation and how simple gratitude builds trust

  • Let rookies learn the why — not just memorize the what

• 🚒 Real-Life Training & Tactics:

  • Using tech (YouTube, IG) as modern-day tabletop drills

  • Changing hose loads, nozzle pressure debates, and field-tested feedback

  • “If you're not doing something better or safer… why not?”

• 📣 Shoutout Time:

  • Kenny Mitchell: Still undefeated in the “first to listen” challenge

  • Quinn a.k.a. “Little Firefighter”: Our newest (and possibly youngest) superfan

  • Rebecca: The mystery commenter finally revealed

  • Andrew: Your RIT team question is on deck — we want more info!

• 🎁 Giveaway Alert:
  Think you can beat Kenny? Be the first to comment on our Friday episode drop (Spotify or Instagram) and win a firehouse prize box!

  🧠 Notable Quotes:

“We’re not saying don’t use sick leave. We’re saying don’t screw your buddy to save your Saturday.” – Matt
“Your time isn’t more valuable than mine.” – Brian
“Mentorship means creating a space where rookies feel safe to fail — and strong enough to ask questions.” – Freddy
“Tradition isn’t bad… but don’t let it stop progress.” – Doug
“You’re not better than anyone — this job will humble you.” – Unkie

👻 Halloween PSA:

Parents — be the adult. Firefighters don’t want to respond to tragic calls on Halloween night. Keep your kids safe, stay visible, and don’t be “that house.”

📫 Snail Mail Segment:

We’re loving the DMs, comments, and questions. Keep them coming!
Want to be featured in Snail Mail? Hit us up at thecoolfireman@gmail.com or DM us on TikTok / Instagram.

🎧 Listen Now On:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📅 New episodes drop every Friday at midnight PT

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, we dive into something every firefighter—rookie or salty vet—should care about: mentorship. From the old kitchen table talks to today’s struggles with phones and generational disconnect, the crew gets honest about how mentorship has evolved, what makes a good mentor, and why it matters now more than ever.

Expect a little banter, some real talk, and plenty of heart.

💬 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• “Can You Beat Kenny?” Competition:
  Who’s the first to listen every Friday? Kenny thinks he is. If you think you’ve got what it takes, drop a comment on our Friday Instagram post for a chance to win!

• What Is Housekeeping?:
  We explain our opening segment: sponsor shoutouts, community love, and updates from past episodes.

• Mentorship Then vs. Now:

  • Why kitchen table talks mattered.

  • Is the “sink or swim” culture gone for good?

  • The dangers of soft feedback culture.

• Truth vs. Kindness:

  • Why good mentors aren’t always the nicest—but they are honest.

  • Don’t confuse gentle coaching with sugarcoating.

• Being a Mentee (and a Mentor):

  • The importance of having someone to trust, confide in, and learn from.

  • How a good mentor shapes not just your firehouse skills, but your character.

  • Pro tip: You don’t stop needing a mentor once you promote.

• Why Firehouse Culture Matters:

  • Phones vs. fellowship.

  • Why captains need to lead the crew off the couch and back to connection.

  • Shift trades, respect, and why “screwing your buddy” should never be okay.

🚒 SNAIL MAIL SHOUTOUTS:

• Rebecca: Proud Cool Fireman Podcast Addict—and yeah, we say “f*ck” a lot.

• Internal Inferno: 14 years old and wants to be a paramedic. Our advice? Be a kid, stay out of trouble, and find someone to look up to.

• Zach Brown & Station 2 Crew: That steak and eggs smell was 🔥

• Little Firefighter (on TikTok): Spartan rig updates and truck spec talk continues.

• Chief Joey Webb: Major love for Ben Hooper & Ben’s Backdraft BBQ.

💥 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

“You need someone who tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.” – Matt
“Don’t take it personal. Take it serious.” – Brian
“Every generation says the next one has it easier. What if we just stopped teaching them the way we were taught?” – Adam (a.k.a. Unkie)
“Not on my watch, bro. Not on my watch.” – Matt

🎧 LISTEN ON:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📲 Follow us on Instagram @coolfiremanpodcast
🔔 New episodes drop every Friday at midnight (PT)

This week’s episode is an absolute rollercoaster—from serious community risk reduction to Doug being attacked by a rhino on safari, and even an amazing question from a 14-year-old future paramedic in our SNAIL MAIL segment 🐌.

We talk about what it means to truly serve your community, not just during emergencies, but through prevention, education, and compassion. It’s a mix of kitchen table laughs, deep leadership insight, and real-world firehouse experience—just the way we like it.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• 🦏 Doug couldn’t make it… he’s hanging with giraffes and dodging rhinos in Africa

• 🚒 Why we haven’t seen a heroin overdose in a while—“Closed borders!”

• 📢 Community Risk Reduction (CRR): What it really means and how to do it right

• 🧠 The obligation to speak up when something in the community isn’t right

• 🧯 Public programs that work: CPR classes, fall prevention, Trunk or Treat, CERT

• 💸 How fire departments can create low-cost, high-impact community outreach

• ❤️ Why it's your responsibility to carry on the fire service legacy

• 🗣️ Brian’s town orientation and communicating mission/vision to new hires

• 🤯 PSA: Don't be the salty firefighter that refuses to give a kid candy

• 📈 Should you measure program success by saves? Or by outreach?

  
  

  🐌 Snail Mail Segment Returns!

• 💬 A 14-year-old future paramedic asks: “What can I do to prepare?”
  ➤ Our answer: BE A KID. Have fun. Stay out of trouble. Learn and grow.
  ➤ Take EMT in high school, do ride-alongs, and don’t forget to enjoy life.

• 🍖 Zach on BBQ sauce: “If it needs sauce, it's bad BBQ.”

• 🐖 Ben Hooper shoutouts and whole-hog debates spark more Backdraft BBQ talk

• 👏 Shoutout to James (Station 3 Leather) for listening at 5:40 AM

  
  

  💬 Call to Action:

• What programs does your department offer the community?

• What’s something you can do—big or small—to reduce risk before the call?

• Have you ever started a community program from scratch? Let us know!

  🧂 Sponsors:

• Unkie’s Seasonings – The firehouse favorite. Available at unkiesseasoning.com

• The Burn Box – FD Collectors Club: Monthly firehouse-themed gear & goodies

• FD Collectors Club – Show off your challenge coin. If you don’t have it at the bar, you’re buying the round 🍻

🎧 Available on:

Spotify (Video), YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
📬 Snail Mail comments? Drop them on Spotify Q&A or YouTube!

In this flavorful and heartfelt episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew sits down with Ben Hooper, firefighter-turned-pitmaster and owner of Ben’s Backdraft BBQ in Waynesville, NC.

Ben shares his journey from firehouse kitchens to launching two food trailers and a thriving brick-and-mortar restaurant—all while staying rooted in faith, community, and first responder culture. He opens up about Hurricane Helene, how his business helped feed the community during the aftermath, and why consistency of greatness matters more than chasing perfection.

From whole hog mop sauce to Dave Ramsey discipline and the power of saying “no,” Ben drops serious knowledge (and makes us very hungry along the way).

• Ben’s fire service journey from Cherokee to Asheville

• How Texas-style BBQ changed his life (yes, Franklin BBQ is worth the hype)

• Starting Ben’s Backdraft BBQ with $10K and a dream

• Serving during and after Hurricane Helene

• Lessons in leadership, boundaries, and staying true to your values

• Why “being consistently good” matters more than being the best

• Dave Ramsey's influence on business & debt-free goals

• The BBQ rub recipe: simple, classic, no sugar

• Turnout Drill: favorite skills, vacation dreams & cornbread revelations 🍗

“Don’t let anyone dictate how you should or shouldn’t run your business—or your life.” – Ben Hooper

• Unkie’s Seasoning – Two years strong. Fire Marshall is still the fan favorite.

• The Burn Box – Firefighter-curated gear, tools & parody shirts. Use code COOLFIRE for your discount 🔥

Sauce or No Sauce?
Drop a comment below or on our socials—how do you like your BBQ? 🍖👇

• IG: @bensbackdraftbbq1

• FB & TikTok: Ben’s Backdraft BBQ

🎧 Listen & Watch on:
Spotify (video), YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
📬 Got feedback or snail mail? DM us or comment below!

🧢 Merch & updates: thecoolfiremanpodcast.com

💥 Topics Covered:🚒 Firehouse Wisdom:🛠️ Sponsors:🧯 Call to Action:📍Follow Ben:

This week, we dive deep into the heart of the fire service—family, legacy, and what it means to really love this job. From laughing about Brian's new acting role as the Genie in Aladdin, to sharing emotional stories about our kids following in our footsteps, this episode blends heartfelt moments with hard firehouse truths.

And yes… Snail Mail is back, and it’s fire. 🐌🔥

• 🎭 Brian the Genie – We’re STILL milking the “Bird Cage” joke, and now he’s blue. Literally.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Firefighting as a Family Legacy – The crew gets personal about what it means when your kids (or YOU) choose the fire service.

• 🧠 Mental Health & Mass Casualty Incidents – Honoring recent tragedies in Southport, NC and Michigan; the lasting impact on responders.

• 🧂 Unkie's Seasonings & Burn Box Shoutouts – Chipotle in chili wins competitions, Freddy's cooking for 30+ football players, and we drool over firehouse recipes.

• 💬 The Family You Find in the Firehouse – Why the fire service truly becomes your family, even if you didn't grow up in it.

• 🛠️ Apparatus Crisis Continued – The national fire truck shortage isn’t going away. We talk:

  • The real reason rigs take 3+ years to deliver

  • $10 milkshakes vs. $2 milkshakes 🍨 (yes, it makes sense)

  • Federal funding, industry monopolies, and departments customizing themselves into a corner

• 🐌 Snail Mail Segment – Listener shoutouts, Spotify comments, and TikTok feedback about fire truck pricing, manufacturer mergers, and the struggle to plan for replacements

• Unkie’s Seasonings – From the firehouse to your house. Use it on everything. 🔥

• The Burn Box – FD Collectors Club = thick challenge coins, rad patches, and firehouse vibes shipped monthly.

• Drop a comment if you like how we handle sponsors—more banter, or keep it tight?

• Do you have family in the fire service? Tag them.

• What would YOU remove from a fire engine spec sheet to speed up delivery?

🎧 Now streaming on: Spotify | Apple | Amazon | YouTube
📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram for clips, behind the scenes, and to submit your own Snail Mail!

🔥 Key Topics Covered:🧂 Sponsors of the Week:💬 Calls to Action:

In this episode, Matt, Unkie, and Brian get sidetracked (as usual) with shirts, stickers, Sasquatch soap, and a whole lot of firehouse banter. But don’t worry—we also dive deep into important fire service topics like shift bids, specialty teams, station culture, and the rising cost of fire apparatus. PLUS… it’s time for another edition of SNAIL MAIL 🐌✉️ with some of the best listener comments yet!

🔥 Highlights:

• [00:01] Dr. Squatch, Air Show shirts, and why it takes 2 hours to record a 45-min episode 🤦‍♂️

• [03:00] Moment of silence for Officer John Coutchie and recent LODDs

• [07:00] Do you hang after shift? Matt loves staying late for coffee and crew talk ☕

• [13:00] 24/72 schedules are coming—departments experimenting with shorter work weeks

• [20:00] The Weegie tradition: Station bidding Laguna-style (crowns, staffs, and all) 👑

• [23:00] Do you really need all that specialty gear? A discussion on hazmat, USAR, and regional teams

• [33:00] Matt reflects on choosing Laguna Beach FD over bigger agencies—“Sometimes the department chooses you.”

• [37:00] Call to Action: What’s your post-shift routine? Do you hang? Comment and let us know!

• [38:00] 🐌 SNAIL MAIL segment: Listener feedback on fire apparatus costs, maintenance, and manufacturer monopolies

• [44:00] Brian fires back with real costs: $5K oil changes and $15K in fuel!

• [48:00] Shoutout to volunteer listener Courtney for an awesome comment on planning, training, and NOT relying on luck

  🧂 Sponsors:

• Unkie’s Seasonings – From the firehouse to your house. Grab yours at unkieseasoning.com

• The Burn Box – FD-inspired wellness and gear, brought to you by Tom

  📢 Call to Action:

• Do you stay late after shift for coffee and pass-downs?

• What's your station bidding process like?

• What specialty teams does your department support (or wish they had)?

• Drop your answers in the comments on Spotify, TikTok, or Instagram. We love hearing from you in Snail Mail!

  🎧 Listen on:

Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
🎥 Watch full video episodes on YouTube and Spotify Video!

In this episode, the boys are back—Matt, Brian, and Unkie—and the kitchen table banter is strong right from the jump. From Brian’s magical new role as Genie in Aladdin (goodbye, Bird Cage 👋) to a real discussion on the national fire apparatus crisis, this episode covers it all.

We dive into the Senate hearing on the fire apparatus shortage and unpack what departments around the country are facing:

• 🚒 3–4 year lead times

• 🔩 Customization bottlenecks

• 💰 Massive profit margins for manufacturers

• 🤯 477 options on a fire truck spec sheet?!

We ask real questions:

• What are firefighters willing to give up to get rigs faster?

• Are manufacturers gaming the system?

• Can departments shift culture and still keep mission readiness?

We also talk DOD fire trucks (Air Force gets everything, Navy gets bare minimum), and what departments can learn from each other across the country.

🧂 Sponsors

• Unkie’s Seasonings – From the firehouse to your house.

• The Burn Box – FD Collectors Club: Get your custom fire gear each month.

  
  

  📬 Snail Mail is BACK!

• Kenny Mitchell calls out a hater calling us out for “clearing our throats too much.” 😂

• One firefighter works fires completely alone?!

• Listeners chime in on comfort zone training and creative extrication setups.

• Genie Brian makes his comeback—he ain’t coming outta that bottle, folks.

• Custom vs. stock builds – what can we live without?

• Transparency between administration and crews

• The power of clean rigs, solid maintenance, and pride in your equipment

• Culture and communication gaps between new and seasoned members

• The true cost of federal stimulus spending on apparatus backlog

• Shoutout to our shop mechanics—you’re the real MVPs

• Mental health, peer support, and encouraging open dialogue

🎧 Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your shows.
📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—and tell your whole crew to do the same.

This week’s episode is packed full of real firehouse talk—from wild call stories to mental health, continuing education, and the one universal truth in the fire service:
👉 If you don’t use it, you lose it.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• 🚑 Calls Gone Sideways – From patients claiming they’ll swallow their tongue to an actual arm amputation call, the crew breaks down how dispatch info doesn't always match the scene.

• 💥 Training Talk – Why there are strict EMS training requirements, but not enough fireground certification standards.

• 🧠 Mental Health in the Fire Service – Matt and the crew respond to a listener's message about handling "the messy stuff" (blood, vomit, trauma).

• 🪓 Auto Extrication & Rope Drills – Real training setups with junk cars, ladders, rope bags, and more.

• ✉️ Snail Mail Returns! – Shoutout to Morrow CP and other listeners who chimed in with thoughtful questions and firehouse love.

• 🐶 Meet Millie – Doug introduces us to his dog Millie (who has no front teeth and a crooked tongue, and is adorable).

💬 Key Moments:

• "Don't criticize a fire you weren’t on." – A deep dive into armchair quarterbacking and post-call debriefs.

• “Smells like sepsis.” – The entire crew bonds over the unmistakable smell of nursing homes.

• “Get creative with your training.” – Matt shares how a strip of duct tape turned a middle school wall into a rescue drill site.

• "Always look for another way." – Unkie challenges listeners to go beyond “we’ve always done it this way.”

🎧 Also in This Episode:

• Burn Box shoutouts

• Unkie’s Cajun Chicken & Rice recipe

• Jokes about Doug’s “glizzy microphone”

• CPR stories, training standards, and big-city EMS setups

• The OODA Loop explained (and roasted)

📬 Snail Mail Is OPEN!
Got a question, comment, or funny firehouse story? Drop it on Spotify, Instagram, or email—we might read it next week.

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple, Amazon & YouTube
📲 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your crew.

In this episode, Matt and Brian dive deep into some of the challenges (and hilarious moments) happening both in and out of the firehouse. From Matt’s code 3 siren strategy to Brian’s communication fatigue, this one’s got a little bit of everything: loud opinions, soft wisdom, and yes... more Snail Mail.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• 🚨 Driving Code 3: Matt shares his take on how and why sirens should be used—air horns included

• 🧠 Leadership, Followership & Informal Influence – What role do you play in the firehouse?

• 📲 Comment Culture & Keyboard Commanders – A look at how feedback lands in the fire service, both online and in person

• 📬 Snail Mail Returns! Featuring real listener responses, debates on informal leadership, stew showdowns, and a surprise shoutout

• 💬 Communication in an “over-communicated world” — why tone matters more than ever

• 🧠 “Don’t criticize the fire you didn’t fight.” – A real convo on armchair quarterbacking & healthy critique

  Frank Viscuso - https://www.tiktok.com/@frank_viscuso/video/7542851995170868494?lang=en

• 🧂 Food talk! Unki Seasoning + Blackstone pasta gets a highlight

• 👕 Burn Box shoutout + FD Collectors Club faves

• 💛 Moment of Silence for responders injured or lost in the line of duty

💡 Key Themes:

• 🚒 Don’t confuse noise for leadership – real influence starts with humility

• 🧠 Effective communication is a skill—and a responsibility in the firehouse

• 🎧 Social media isn’t always the kitchen table—but it can be

• 🙌 Be present, be positive, and bring the energy—especially if you're new to the job

🎧 Now Streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Apple & Amazon
💬 Got thoughts or questions? Drop them in the comments or send us a message for Snail Mail – we might read yours next!

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode122 #SnailMailReturns #FireServiceLeadership #Code3Driving #KitchenTableTalk #WellSaid #AirHornDebate #FirefighterCommunication #BurnBoxLove #UnkiSeasoning #MomentOfSilence #BrotherhoodStrong

In this jam-packed episode, the crew reunites for a full debrief of their time at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh. From firehouse food to leadership presentations, parlay betting, bagpipes, and some questionable milk habits—this one’s got it all.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• 🎰 Doug explains parlays to a very confused Brian

• 🧂 Unki Seasoning gets love from Brightleaf Hot Dogs (yes, really)

• 🎶 NEW SEGMENT ALERT: SNAIL MAIL makes its official debut—with a jingle and hilarious listener comments (sorry, Becky)

• 🎤 Doug delivers his best Trump impression… mid-episode

• 🚨 A heartfelt moment of silence for the 52 line-of-duty deaths so far in 2025

• 🥘 Doug’s passionate defense of real Brunswick stew (do not argue)

• 🔥 Leadership & followership: Matt and Brian reflect on their SAFRE presentation, “What About Tomorrow?”

• 🥁 The emotional power of pipes and drums—and why they still stop us in our tracks

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Leadership starts with purpose—but followership is just as vital

• The fire service community is about helping, not competing

• There’s no comfort in greatness—step into hard things and grow

• Sometimes you just need to prank your spouse with the wrong broth

• And yes… Brunswick stew must be thick enough to stand a paddle in it

🎧 Now Streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Apple & Amazon
📬 Got a question or comment? Send us some Snail Mail and you might hear it read live next week!

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #SAFRE2025 #LeadershipAndFollowership #SnailMailSegment #PipesAndDrums #FireServiceCommunity #WellSaid #FirehouseTalk #FirefighterBrotherhood #BrunswickStewDebate #MomentOfSilence #FireConferenceRecap #NoComfortInGreatness

This week, the crew is back at the kitchen table – and while Brian is away, Matt, Doug, and Unkie dive deep into what firemen talk about inside the engine, from banter to serious pre-call game plans.

We kick things off with a little parlay talk (Doug’s gambling, not the French kind), some seasoning chat (support UnkieSeasoning.com!), and housekeeping. But the real heat comes when we get into what happens when the tones drop.

In This Episode:

• 🚒 What firefighters really talk about in the engine

• 🧠 The importance of planning en route and reviewing game plans

• 🧯 First five minutes: why they matter more than anything

• 🔥 Doug’s recent structure fire run – what went right, how the setup worked, and lessons learned

• 🤝 Why experience builds trust – and how the phrase “Go to work” sets the tone

• 💪 Train more, think ahead, work smoother

• 😂 Mailbag (aka Snail Mail) brings in some killer food tips and Spotify love

• ✈️ A surprising detour into aerodynamics, whiskey rankings, and a little Payne Stewart nostalgia

• 🎧 Shout-outs to Rhett, Becky, and the FD Collectors Club

This is one of those episodes that blends laughs with legit insight. Whether you're on your first shift or your last year, this one will hit home.

🎙️ Quote of the Week:
“Our job’s not that hard… but the first five minutes of every call are everything.” – Matt

📌 Subscribe, comment, and tell Becky she’s slacking!
🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode120 #FireEngineTalk #FirefighterTraining #GoToWork #FirstFiveMinutes #UnkieSeasoning #FDCollectorsClub #FireServiceCulture #KitchenTableTalk #MomentOfSilence

This week, it’s just Brian and Adam (aka Unki) holding down The Cool Fireman Podcast kitchen table while Doug and Matt are on duty. The topic? Food—our favorite firehouse meals, family go-tos, recipe wins, and even a few epic fails.

Brian shares highlights from a year of his recipes featured in the Burn Box and announces that Unki will be taking over as the Burn Box recipe guy for the next 12 months. The two swap their top three dishes loved at home and in the firehouse, discuss cooking techniques for brisket, pork butt, breakfast spreads, and easy griddle favorites, and debate everything from smash burgers to fat caps.

You’ll also hear:

• Brisket prep, smoking tips, and rest time debates.

• Why pork butt might be the most versatile cut for the firehouse table.

• The beauty (and danger) of breakfast casseroles and quiches.

• Unique dishes like easy cheesy shrimp sandwiches and quesadillas for a crowd.

• Hamloaf gone wrong, alligator done right, and cow tongue redemption.

• Unexpected flavor combos that actually work—yes, even cheese whiz & pico on a hot dog.

Call to Action:
Drop a comment with your firehouse favorite and your family’s go-to dinner. Bonus points if it’s something quick, affordable, and firehouse-friendly.

Sponsors:
🔥 Unki’s Seasoning – Elevate your meals with seasoning blends that work for home and the firehouse.
🔥 Burn Box – This month’s FD Collector’s Club features another exclusive shirt and gear drop.

#FirehouseCooking #FirefighterLife #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceCulture #BurnBox

The Cool Fireman Podcast crew is together in person at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh, NC! This year’s special guest is keynote speaker Sam Massa, founder of FireTech and HiViz LED Lighting, back for another powerful conversation one year after his first appearance.

We dive into Sam’s incredible journey—from small beginnings and a failed business to dominating the fire apparatus lighting market and speaking on the main stage. Sam shares lessons on leadership, integrity, resilience, and why putting the customer first is at the heart of FireTech’s success.

You’ll hear stories from his early days in biofuels, the “lost shipment” UPS hustle, challenging industry norms (like the FireTech Brow Light), and how courage, commitment, and community guide his work. The crew also talks about the importance of legacy, not giving up, and asking “why” in the fire service.

In This Episode:

• Live from SAFRE 2025 – the energy, the people, and the North Carolina fire service community.

• Sam Massa’s path from side hustles to FireTech industry leadership.

• Lessons learned from business failure and how they shaped a customer-first approach.

• Why asking “why” can change the fire service (and lead to better fire truck designs).

• Balancing growth, inventory, and staying lean in a competitive market.

• The three C’s: Courage, Commitment, Community.

• How business can be a tool for good in the fire service.

If you’ve ever wanted insight into innovation in the fire industry, how to build something from the ground up, and how to keep integrity at the forefront, this is an episode you can’t miss.

🎧 Listen now – and check out Sam’s work at FireTech and join the FireTech Squad on Facebook for more.

#SAFRE #FireTech #FirefighterPodcast #FireServiceLeadership #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceInnovation

In this episode, the crew sits down to unpack one of the most foundational questions in the fire service:
What does it really mean to be a fireman?

Through stories, experiences, and a whole lot of heart, the guys dive into the core values of the job and what separates the patch from the purpose.

🔥 This Week’s Topics Include:

• Why service to others is at the center of the fire service

• The difference between having the job and living the calling

• How gratitude, humility, and pride shape a fireman’s mindset

• What it takes to earn the title, not just wear the uniform

💬 Roundtable Reflections:

• Matt shares why serving others is a pillar of leadership and fulfillment

• Doug reflects on how the title of fireman is earned through action

• Brian talks about staying grounded in purpose throughout your career

• Freddy discusses the role of legacy, mentorship, and kitchen table culture

🧯 Key Takeaways:

• Firefighting is a blue collar craft with white-hot impact

• Purpose > position — your actions define your influence

• It’s not about how many fires you’ve been to, it’s about how you show up every day

🗣️ “Well said.”

📢 CALL TO ACTION:
What does being a fireman mean to you?
Tag us, comment, or share your take—we want to hear it.

🚨 New episode drops every Friday!
🎧 Available on Spotify & YouTube

Thanks for listening to Episode 117 – and for continuing to do the job for the right reasons.

In this two-man show, Matt and Brian dive deep into firehouse pride, station maintenance, and how blue-collar skills and project work have changed in the fire service over the years.

🛠️ This Week’s Topics Include:

• Why today’s firefighters don’t fix stuff like they used to (and should they?)

• The value of trades in the firehouse—and why painting a wall matters

• Old-school camaraderie vs. modern-day burnout

• A deep dive into post-shift culture then vs. now: helping each other build decks, cut lawns, and pour concrete

• How call volume, liability, and policies have changed how we maintain our stations

• Can AI ever replace a good firehouse handyman? (Hint: No)

• The return of the skilled trades and why they matter more than ever

🔥 Brian shares his wild ride at the Blackstone Social Summit, including:

• Cooking under pressure—literally

• Getting a bell and a McDonald's coffee

• How drippy, sexy eggs made for a fireground-style kitchen scramble

• Behind the scenes of content creation and collaboration with Blackstone Griddle Crew

💪 Plus:

• Matt talks about greasing his RV bearings for the first time—fireman pride at work!

• Brian opens up about the evolution of his career and why he believes we need to bring back ownership, pride, and problem-solving in every aspect of the fire service

• A real talk moment on burnout, side gigs, and what our schedules look like today vs. 20 years ago

📢 Shoutouts:

• 🎉 Rhett (age 6) – Our youngest listener! Thanks for riding with us!

• 💬 Courtney Jordan, Tanner, and Colt – Thanks for your Spotify feedback!

• 👕 FAT Apparel & The Salty Fireman – Check out the combo shirt and solo cup deal!

• 🧂Unkie’s Seasoning – Proud sponsor and firehouse favorite (even Matt’s mom’s trailer is stocked)

🧯 Sponsor Highlights:

• Unkie’s Seasoning

• Burn Box & FD Collector’s Club – July’s box includes sweet North Carolina swag!

🧠 Moment of Silence – Never forgotten. Always honored.
🗣️ “Well said.”

👨‍🏫 Leadership Class Reminder:
Catch Matt and Brian at SAFRE in Raleigh, NC on August 8th for their leadership workshop. Come say hi, bring your trade skills, and let’s talk shop.

📲 CALL TO ACTION:
We want to hear from YOU:

• Do you still take on station projects?

• What trades do you bring to the fire service?

• What’s your department’s approach to station maintenance?

Drop your comments on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or wherever you get your fire content. 💬

👨‍🚒 Subscribe & Support the Brotherhood:
Like, comment, and subscribe to help grow this awesome fire service community. You’re the reason we’re climbing the charts. Let’s keep it going.

🎧 Available now in video on Spotify & YouTube.

This week, the boys are hot, humid, and hilariously unfiltered. Brian, Doug, and Unkie talk sweat in places God didn’t intend and why the kitchen table is the sacred place in the firehouse for solving problems (and sharing a little too much).

They also get real about peer support, HR misunderstandings of firefighter humor, and remembering the late Corey Orrell with a moment of silence.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

✅ Sweating in Places You Didn't Know Existed
– It’s hot and humid – and no one is safe from swamp ass
– Unkie forgot to turn on the AC before recording

✅ Housekeeping & Shoutouts
– Burn Box update: coins are shipping
– FD Collectors Club – why the coins are always worth the wait
– Unkie Seasoning July specials

✅ Markets, Merch & SAFRE Conference Plans
– Unkie’s market updates
– New sampler boxes and combo deals dropping
– Planning for the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in Raleigh, NC

✅ Moment of Silence
– Remembering Corey Orrell, a Camp Lejeune firefighter who passed from cancer
– His legacy of writing future birthday cards for his kids

✅ Brian’s Reflection on Service
– Brian shares why he loves creating content and serving others
– Lessons from the Blackstone Griddle Crew Social Summit
– The idea that cooking (and content creation) is about serving

✅ The Sacred Firehouse Table
– Why the kitchen table is the heart of the firehouse
– Solving problems big and small, from marriages to mechanic issues
– The judgment-free zone for venting, complaining, and busting chops

✅ Funny (and NSFW) Firehouse Stories
– Oversharing confessions that earned permanent nicknames
– The Tupperware poop sample fiasco
– The “lawn mower pull start” bedroom story

✅ Why the Table Matters for Mental Health
– Peer support conversations and safe spaces
– Chief visits around the table to hear the real issues
– Firehouse culture, gallows humor, and HR misunderstandings

✅ Call to Action for Listeners:
– Where does your crew gather to solve problems?
– What’s the biggest or most meaningful problem you’ve solved at the table?
– Ever overshare and regret it? Share your story!

⭐️ Connect with Us:

👉 Email: thecoolfireman@gmail.com

Welcome back to The Cool Fireman Podcast! In this episode, Freddie makes his glorious return to the mic—and it’s pure gold from the jump.

✅ What’s Inside This Episode:

👨‍🚒 Freddie’s Return
• The crew celebrates Freddie’s comeback (with very gentle Canadian detention jokes)
• The usual banter—gray mustache tips, PB&J wisdom, and why Unkie’s Seasoning is the gift for every firehouse cook

🔥 Sponsor Shoutouts
• Unkie Seasoning – Get your grill game right. Garlic & Herb? Chipotle? They love you back.
• The Burn Box – Doug gives a top-tier unboxing of this month’s firefighter-themed goodies, including their all-in-one koozie/tumbler (with a built-in bottle opener!).

🌊 Special Assignments & 4th of July Staffing
• How different departments prep for fireworks, floods, and wild weather
• Real talk about regional and state-level rescue teams: USAR, Swiftwater, HazMat, Tech Rescue
• The truth about upstaffing for fireworks shows and population booms

⚠️ Texas Flash Flood Disaster
• Discussing the devastating flash floods that hit kids' camps in Texas
• The challenges of sudden water rise, rescues, and National Guard deployments
• Real-time reflections on how fast tragedy can hit

🚑 Firehouse Culture: Safety and Situational Awareness
• The Idaho firefighter ambush tragedy: why situational awareness matters
• Wearing ballistic vests on calls—why more departments are investing in them
• How past tragedies shaped incident command, response protocols, and safety policies

🎯 Pro Tips for New Firefighters
• How to pick a department that offers specialized teams (USAR, HazMat, Swiftwater)
• What to ask in interviews—don’t just say "No questions"!
• The value of station visits and learning from every experience

🕯️ Moment of Silence
• The crew pauses to honor victims of the Texas disaster, fallen firefighters, and those lost in the line of duty.

👥 Callouts & Community
• Big thanks to listeners who comment, share, and help the podcast grow.
• The team discusses the importance of spreading awareness and supporting fundraisers.

🎙️ Join the Conversation!
✔️ Drop a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
✔️ Ask us your firefighter career questions—we’ll answer them on air.
✔️ Help us grow by sharing, rating, and reviewing.

🔥 Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Watch on YouTube!
👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for behind-the-scenes banter, gear unboxings, and more firehouse stories.

firefighting, Texas floods, firefighter safety, emergency response, podcast, fire department, community service, special assignments, interview tips, firefighter training

Welcome to Episode 113 (even if Doug thinks it's 109)!

This week the crew dives into:

✅ Doug’s Backwoods Adventures

• Tractor life with straw hats and “Farmer Fran” overalls

• Why people think he’s from Louisiana

• The infamous “nip slip” picture that may or may not exist

✅ TikTok Trends & Firehouse Fun

• Brainstorming a TikTok challenge with photos and song matches

• Planning one-shot video stitches for the podcast page

• Lip-syncing failures and robot dance competitions

✅ Extreme Heat, Firefighting & Rehab Units

• Talking real heat waves across the country

• Richmond’s 3-alarm fire in brutal conditions

• How departments deploy Mobile Service Units (MSU) and rehab squads

• Real-world practices like misting fans, cooling buses, and mandatory rest

✅ Hydration Deep Dive with Megan Lautz of Rescue.RD

• Unkie’s epic PowerPoint presentation

• Practical firefighter hydration tips:

  • 90–125 oz daily fluid goal

  • Caffeine myths (it’s okay in moderation)

  • Cold drinks help lower core temperature

• Food hacks: hydrating fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, oranges

• Black pepper on cantaloupe? The debate rages

✅ Coffee Talk (Black vs Flavored Creamer Wars)

• Team black coffee vs team hazelnut

• Legendary quotes: “Flavored coffee creamer ruined the fire service”

• Doug: “Just like my soul”

✅ Personal Stories & Callouts

• Remembering LODD in North Carolina and Alicia Monahan’s anniversary

• Candid admissions of heat exhaustion on scene

• Sharing rehab protocols from different departments

✅ Special Shoutouts

• Megan Lautz at Rescue.RD for all the hydration wisdom

• Unkie Seasoning — get that Chipotle rub

• The Burn Box crew for awesome monthly surprises

✅ Calls to Action!

• Drop a comment: Are you black coffee or cream & sugar?

• Share your department’s rehab protocols for hot days

• Post yourself doing the robot and tag us for a special prize!

• And of course — FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and COMMENT wherever you listen or watch.

This episode is packed with laughs, real fireground strategies, hydration hacks, and enough Southern storytelling to make you sweat.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube!

Special Guest:
🎙️ Chief Darick Fisher – Navy veteran, retired DOD Fire Chief, small business owner, and published author

In This Episode:
The guys sit down with long-time friend and mentor Darick Fisher to talk about:

• 🔥 His journey from Navy engineer to DOD firefighter and fire chief

• 🧠 What retirement really looks like (“I’m just as busy now, I just don’t punch a clock!”)

• 💬 Why leadership is about empowering others — not barking orders

• 🧍‍♂️ Being your own kind of leader: “Lead by example — your example.”

• 🙌 His clothing brand, FAT Apparel (Faithful. Accountable. Teachable.)

• 📖 His book Beyond the Doors — and the power of purpose-driven storytelling

• 🧠 The meaning behind his “PAR Check” shirts and devotionals on mental wellness and accountability

Key Quotes:

"You don’t need a title to lead — just character."
"Retired doesn’t mean stopped. I still live to make a difference every day."
"We’re not here to be served. We’re here to serve — and that’s how you leave a legacy."

Highlights:

• The importance of mentorship in and out of the fire service

• Fighting fires in dungarees in the Navy 😳

• How a simple men’s group inspired a movement

• And yeah…Unkie might get emotional 🥲

Where to Find Chief Fisher:
📖 Featuring his book Beyond the Doors

👕 faithfulaccountable.com – Clothing, merch & resources

📲 Follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Etsy, and more

🎥 WATCH the full video podcast on Spotify & YouTube
💬 Like, comment & share to support the show
📦 Bonus: Comment on Episode 110 for a chance to win Matt’s June Burn Box!

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode112 #FaithfulAccountableTeachable #DarickFisher #FirefighterLeadership #RetiredNotDone #BeyondTheDoors #FireServiceWisdom #PARCheck #LeadByExample