National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

What if the future of the volunteer fire service depends on reaching people in places we've never thought to look? Kevin Billingsley, better known as "KBill," is doing exactly that. As the founder of Social FD, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Kevin is using technology, social media, livestreaming, and community engagement to promote the fire service, connect families, and help volunteer fire departments tell their stories.In this episode of the National Fire Radio Podcast, Jeremy Donch sits down with Kevin to explore the mission behind SocialFD.org. From providing free websites and hosting for volunteer fire departments to offering ready-to-use social media content, fire prevention messaging, and community engagement tools, Social FD is helping departments build stronger relationships with the people they serve. For smaller and rural departments with limited budgets and resources, these tools can make a tremendous difference in raising awareness, generating support, and introducing the next generation to the fire service.But Kevin's mission goes far beyond building websites. Through family-friendly livestreams on Twitch, interactive games, giveaways, and his popular Pack Lounge, KBill is creating a positive community where firefighters, families, and kids can come together. He also hosts a Saturday evening radio show on The Thin Line Rock Station, sharing music, fire service stories, history, and conversations that celebrate the job. Through Whatnot, Kevin introduces Legacy Fire Cards and other firefighter trading cards to collectors both inside and outside the fire service, using live pack openings and sales to help fund Social FD's nonprofit mission.The conversation also explores the importance of positivity, mentorship, tradition, and finding new ways to connect with younger generations. Kevin believes that if we want people to discover the fire service, we need to meet them where they are today. Whether through a website, a social media post, a livestream, a trading card, or a simple conversation, every interaction is an opportunity to build community and strengthen the future of the fire service.Connect with Kevin Billingsley and Social FD:Website: https://socialfd.org — Free website resources, social media content, and community engagement tools for volunteer fire departments.Twitch: Find Social FD and KBill for family-friendly interactive livestreams, games, giveaways, and the Pack Lounge.The Thin Line Rock Station: https://thethinline rockstation.com — KBill's Saturday radio show, 5–7 PM Central / 6–8 PM Eastern.Whatnot: Find Social FD for live trading card openings, auctions, and Legacy Fire Cards.Facebook:Search Social FD and join the Social FD Community Group to connect with firefighters, first responders, and their families.At its heart, this episode is about recognizing that the fire service has an incredible story to tell. Kevin Billingsley is finding new, creative ways to tell it, and in doing so, he's helping ensure the next generation has an opportunity to discover everything this job has to offer.

National Fire Radio | Episode 482 Frank Sutphin and Tom LottSome friendships are built in the firehouse and last a lifetime. This episode of the National Fire Radio Podcast is a perfect example. Frank Sutphin and Tom Lott join Jeremy Donch in the studio for a conversation filled with decades of fire service experience, unforgettable stories, plenty of laughs, and a genuine love for the job.Longtime friends Frank and Tom reflect on their early days in the fire service, the firefighters who shaped their careers, and the traditions that made the firehouse more than just a place to respond to calls. From old-school firefighting and hard-earned lessons to the brotherhood that continues long after the fire is out, this conversation captures what makes the fire service so special.But this episode goes beyond reminiscing. The guys discuss the importance of maintaining high standards, mentoring the next generation, building strong firehouse cultures, and understanding why fewer young people are following in their footsteps. They challenge firefighters to consider how their own attitudes and actions influence the future of the volunteer fire service.After Tom has to head out, Jeremy and Frank continue the conversation, diving deeper into training, leadership, firefighter safety, and the responsibility experienced firefighters have to pass along what they've learned. Frank shares more stories from his remarkable journey and reminds us that no matter how many years you've been on the job, there's always something more to learn.At its heart, this episode is about friendship, tradition, family, and the incredible relationships that come from a lifetime of service. The firehouse gives us more than a place to belong. It gives us people, memories, and lessons that stay with us forever.

National Fire Radio | Episode 481Peter Matthews, Editor in Chief, Firehouse MagazineFor 50 years, Firehouse Magazine has been more than just a publication. It has been a window into the American fire service, documenting its history, celebrating its people, sharing lessons learned, and inspiring generations of firefighters along the way. For National Fire Radio host Jeremy Donch, Firehouse Magazine was a major part of growing up around the fire service.Long before the internet, social media, and YouTube, there was the excitement of a new issue arriving each month. Flipping through the pages, studying the photographs, recognizing apparatus from departments across the country, and reading about the firefighters who were doing the job helped fuel a lifelong passion for the fire service. In this special 50th anniversary episode, Jeremy sits down with Peter Matthews, Editor-in-Chief of Firehouse Magazine, for a conversation that goes well beyond the pages of the publication.Peter shares his journey from growing up in a volunteer fire service family on Long Island to photographing fires for the New York Post and eventually becoming one of the individuals responsible for carrying forward the legacy of Firehouse Magazine. Together, they reflect on the contributions of legendary fire service personalities, including Dennis Smith and Harvey Eisner, and the importance of preserving the stories, experiences, and lessons of those who came before us.The conversation explores how the fire service has evolved over five decades, from traditional firefighting operations to today's increasingly complex all-hazards environment. They discuss emerging challenges such as lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle fires, the growing importance of community risk reduction, and the responsibility of delivering accurate, meaningful information to firefighters.But perhaps the most powerful part of this episode is the discussion about firehouse culture, mentorship, leadership, and engagement. Jeremy and Peter reflect on a time when the kitchen table was the classroom, when firefighters spent hours discussing the last fire, sharing experiences, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next. They challenge today's firefighters to put down their phones, reconnect with one another, take ownership of their organizations, and never lose sight of the mission.Peter also opens up about the tremendous responsibility that comes with telling the fire service's stories. From the lessons learned through line-of-duty deaths to the emotional weight of knowing the people behind those tragedies, he offers a personal look at what it means to preserve the legacy of the fire service while working to make it safer for future generations.As Firehouse Magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary, this episode is both a tribute to an iconic publication and a reminder of why storytelling matters. The platforms may change, the technology may evolve, and the challenges may look different, but the mission remains the same: share knowledge, preserve tradition, honor those who came before us, and leave the fire service better than we found it.Whether you grew up waiting for the next issue of Firehouse Magazine or you're discovering it for the first time, this is a conversation about the people, passion, and purpose that make the fire service so special.

Chapter 136: Position Based Firefighting Meets the Forward Thinking FirefighterIn this episode, Mickey breaks down the connection between position based firefighting and forward thinking on the fireground. From the first due truck officer to the roof firefighter and second due truck, understanding building construction, fire extension, and the relationship between exposures and apartment layouts is critical.It’s not simply about getting into position. It’s about understanding your purpose, anticipating the next problem, and staying ahead of the fire.

National Fire Radio Podcast Episode 480 | Micah Rains, Palmetto Fire TrainingNational Fire Radio was on the floor at the 2026 South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh, North Carolina, partnering with Atlantic Emergency Solutions to showcase the latest fire apparatus, equipment, and innovations while connecting with firefighters and industry leaders. During our time in the Atlantic Emergency Solutions booth, Jeremy Donch sat down with Micah Rains for a passionate conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing today's fire service: recruitment and retention.Why are we so focused on recruiting new firefighters when we're struggling to keep the ones we already have? Jeremy and Micah challenge the traditional approach, emphasizing that recruitment and retention are two very different issues. Before we can attract new members, we need to create firehouses where our current firefighters feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay. Strong leadership, meaningful training, clear expectations, and a sense of pride and ownership are the foundations of a healthy organization.The conversation goes beyond staffing numbers and explores the importance of building a winning culture. It's not always about money or incentives. It's about creating an environment where firefighters want to be, where passion is encouraged rather than discouraged, and where leadership invests in its people. Whether career or volunteer, the organizations that maintain high standards, promote growth, and foster a sense of belonging are the ones that will continue to thrive.Fix your house first. Take care of your people. Build a culture worth being part of, and recruitment will follow. This conversation is a reminder that the future of the fire service depends not only on bringing new people through the doors but on giving those already inside a reason to stay. Special thanks to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for partnering with National Fire Radio at SAFRE 2026 and helping us bring these important conversations to the fire service.