National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the National Fire Radio podcast, Jeremy Donch sits down with Bo Butler for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, integrity, sacrifice, and the true cost of doing what is right. What begins as a discussion rooted in public service and firehouse culture quickly evolves into an honest examination of identity, purpose, and moral conviction.Bo Butler shares his story of being thrust into the national spotlight after taking a public stand as Fire Chief in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Faced with mounting pressure to reduce staffing despite overwhelming voter support for increased fire protection, Bo refused to compromise the safety of his firefighters or the will of the community. That decision ultimately led to his resignation and changed the course of his life. In this episode, Bo opens up about what happened after the cameras turned off and the applause faded, including the personal toll on his family, his career, and his sense of belonging.The conversation explores the weight of leadership and the reality that every decision carries consequences. Bo speaks candidly about regret and resolve, and how both can exist at the same time. He reflects on the pain of walking away from the people he loved most in the fire service and the grief that followed. He also explains why integrity and character were lines he could not cross, even when presented with the opportunity to return and reclaim his position.Jeremy and Bo dive into broader themes that extend far beyond the fire service, including mentorship, faith, accountability, and personal growth. Bo discusses his military service, how faith guided him through adversity, and how purpose and fulfillment became central to his healing after leaving the firehouse. He shares how losing his identity forced him to confront himself, and how that process ultimately led him to a new mission as a Chief People Officer in the private sector, where he continues to lead, mentor, and serve others.This episode is not about tactics or tools. It is about being human. It is about making hard choices when the easy ones would cost you your integrity. It is about family, legacy, mentorship, and the responsibility leaders carry both on and off the job. Most importantly, it is a reminder that character matters, and that doing the right thing often comes at a personal cost, but it is a cost worth paying. This is a conversation every firefighter, leader, and human being can learn from.

Jeremy sits down with retired Newburgh, New York firefighter and chief officer Tim Dexter for an unfiltered and deeply personal conversation about the realities of firefighting in an understaffed urban department. Drawing from seventeen years on the job, Tim shares firsthand insight into what happens when fire companies are browned out, staffing levels are cut, and firefighters are still expected to deliver the same level of service under increasingly dangerous conditions.Tim explains how Newburgh’s aging infrastructure, tightly packed row buildings, and high call volume leave no margin for error on the fireground. With limited staffing and delayed second due companies, firefighters are often forced to make tactical compromises that impact both civilian outcomes and firefighter safety. The conversation explores how politics, grant decisions, and city leadership choices directly affect operations, morale, recruitment, retention, and fire prevention efforts.Now retired, Tim has begun releasing helmet camera footage from incidents he commanded to educate the public and provide undeniable evidence of what firefighters are facing when resources are stripped away. He speaks candidly about the emotional toll of leading fires with no backup coming and why he ultimately chose to retire early rather than risk being responsible for a line of duty death.This episode is a powerful look at the operational reality behind closed and browned out companies and the impossible decisions firefighters are forced to make when the system fails them. It is a conversation about accountability, firefighter safety, and the responsibility to provide communities with the level of protection they believe they are receiving. Take this one back to the firehouse because talking about the job is how we make the job better.

Jeremy sits down with Danny Arroyo, Battalion Chief of Training with the Perth Amboy Fire Department, for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about leadership, training culture, and the evolution of the modern fire service.Danny shares his journey into the fire service, shaped by growing up in a tight-knit urban community and the impact of September 11th, which ultimately set him on a path from dispatcher and EMT to paramedic, firefighter, and now training chief. With over two decades of service, Danny offers a grounded perspective on what it means to serve the same community you were raised in—and the responsibility that comes with it.The discussion dives deep into practical, effective training: why structure matters, how buy-in from leadership and firefighters is essential, and why training should build confidence—not exhaust or endanger firefighters. Danny outlines his philosophy on transparency, long-term planning, and empowering company officers and instructors to take ownership of training at every level.We also explore leadership beyond the fireground—how ego, communication style, and environment shape firefighter behavior. Danny speaks candidly about generational differences, the importance of explaining the “why,” and how creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up can directly translate to safer, more effective operations.

Jeremy sits down with Martin Hunt, founder of Garage, to unpack one of the most pressing challenges facing the modern fire service: how departments buy, sell, and preserve life-saving assets.Martin shares the origin story of Garage; a firefighter-built marketplace designed to connect fire departments across the country and keep apparatus and equipment in service, not scrapped. What started as firsthand frustration with outdated, inefficient surplus processes has grown into a national platform where departments can buy and sell everything from adapters to ladder trucks with transparency, trust, and efficiency.This conversation goes far beyond technology. Martin and Jeremy discuss community, stewardship, and legacy, and how keeping apparatus in service instead of sending it to scrap yards directly benefits firefighters and the communities they protect. From appraisal tools and financing options to freight coordination and maintenance transparency, Garage removes the friction and guesswork that have plagued the used apparatus process for generations.At its core, this episode is about firefighters helping firefighters, preserving the history and value of fire service equipment, and creating solutions that allow departments of every size to operate smarter and stronger in a challenging environment.Innovating the process, Garage has changed the game. They have reinvented the process and their closely protected mission has far exceeded expectations of their growing client list. For more information and to see firsthand how Garage has made an impact, check out www.shopgarage.com.

Jeremy sits down with Nate Rice, Division Chief of Fire Prevention with the Peoria, IL Fire Department, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, culture change, and the true impact of Community Risk Reduction (CRR). With nearly four decades in the fire service, Chief Rice shares his unexpected transition from operations to fire prevention and how embracing CRR transformed both his department and his perspective on service. The discussion explores the balance between reactive firefighting and proactive life-saving efforts, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, smoke alarm programs, firefighter safety, and reducing burnout through smarter deployment of resources. Chief Rice also breaks down how bridging the gap between operations and prevention creates better firefighters, safer buildings, and stronger community trust. This episode challenges traditional thinking, reframes fire prevention as a mission-critical function, and makes the case that Community Risk Reduction isn’t a buzzword—it’s a responsibility that benefits both the public and the firefighters who serve them.

Tyler Whitfield returns to National Fire Radio for a powerful follow-up conversation on growth, leadership, and building high-performing fire companies. Now several years into his role as a promoted company officer with Clearwater Fire & Rescue, Tyler reflects on the transition from informal leader to officer, earning trust, and inheriting a company with a strong culture and high expectations.This episode dives deep into what real leadership looks like on the floor—embracing vulnerability, fostering humility, and putting the success of your people ahead of your own. Tyler explains how consistent, realistic training builds confidence, why small details matter on the fireground, and how honest after-action conversations create buy-in and long-term success.The conversation also explores Tyler’s passion for instruction through The Grab Factory, his residential search training program focused on practical, adaptable tactics for departments of all sizes. From engine-based search considerations to inside/outside truck operations, Tyler shares lessons learned from teaching nationwide and emphasizes the value of networking, shared experiences, and learning from both wins and mistakes.

In this episode, Mickey kicks things off by talking about some of his favorite episodes of 2025 before diving into the FDNY relocation policy and what it really means to operate outside your comfort zone. When you’re relocated and working with unfamiliar companies in unfamiliar buildings, the margin for error increases, and the details matter more than ever. This is a reminder to get back to basics, slow down, and operate with intent. Big city firefighting isn’t universal. Operational standards are local, shaped by buildings, talent, tempo, and experience.

In this From the Front Seat episode, Mickey breaks down why crowding the stairs kills tempo and creates confusion on the fireground. He talks about understanding your position, knowing where you fit in the operation, and why discipline in movement matters just as much as speed.

In this episode of National Fire Radio, Rob Pollack delivers a raw and honest conversation about leadership, accountability, and the evolving culture of today’s fire service. From the firehouse to the fireground, Rob breaks down what’s been lost—and what must be rebuilt—when ownership, humility, and hard conversations are avoided.The discussion explores the challenge of leading across generations, balancing ego with responsibility, and navigating the difficult line between being a boss and a friend. Rob shares real-world examples of how accountability, communication, and people skills directly impact company performance, morale, and trust—long before the tones ever drop.Rob also reflects on his international training experience in Poland, offering a global perspective on training culture, firefighter health, cancer prevention, and innovation. The comparison highlights how different approaches can sharpen our own practices without sacrificing the aggressive, effective nature of American structural firefighting.This episode is a candid reminder that the fire service is built on daily actions, not titles—and that the future depends on leaders willing to listen, mentor, challenge complacency, and protect the culture worth fighting for.

Jeremy sits down with Angela Skudin, founder of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, to talk about her journey from severe, unexplained illness and chronic pain to reclaiming her health through advocacy, detox-focused wellness, and alternative therapies—including Iboga/Ibogaine and other integrative approaches.Angela shares what it was like being misdiagnosed, pushed toward surgeries that didn’t make sense, and navigating overwhelming medical costs while married to an FDNY firefighter. The conversation turns deeply personal as she describes the tragic loss of her husband, FDNY firefighter Casey Skudin, and how the support shown by first responders in that moment inspired her to build the 343 Fund.The 343 Fund helps first responders and their spouses pursuing treatment for trauma, addiction, TBIs, and cumulative stress, emphasizing that healing isn’t a single event—it’s the integration, coaching, and community support that follows. Angela also explains why this work is gaining momentum nationwide and how firefighters are helping lead that conversation.Learn more or support the mission at 343fund.org.

In this episode, Mickey discusses the critical safety measures that firefighters must take when operating on the fireground. He emphasizes that the safest place is actually one step inside the fire building, away from potential hazards. Mickey also explains the concept of “collapse zones” and the importance of ongoing situational awareness, particularly the need for firefighters to always look up. He stresses the necessity of instilling these safety practices in young firefighters to ensure they are prepared for real-life scenarios. Thumbnail photo @fdnyfirediary 

In this emotional and unfiltered episode, District Chief Nate Morgans of the Tulsa Fire Department sits down to share a story that spans leadership, trauma, addiction, redemption, and the power of truly transformational healing. Nate takes us from his earliest days on the job, through rapid promotions and deployments to Afghanistan and Ukraine, into the hidden battles that nearly cost him everything. After years of functioning at a high level while quietly unraveling, Nate reveals how alcohol became his coping mechanism for anxiety, hypervigilance, and an inner turmoil he didn’t yet understand. DUIs, a demotion, a failing marriage, and suicidal ideations pushed him to a breaking point. He walked through the IAFF Center of Excellence, tried to rebuild, relapsed, and continued searching for a way out of the cycle that gripped his life. The turning point came when Nate discovered Ibogaine therapy, an alternative treatment he now openly champions. He describes how the experience forced him to confront the trauma, ego, and emotional patterns driving his addiction—providing clarity and healing that traditional approaches alone hadn’t unlocked. Nate credits Ibogaine with helping him rebuild his relationship with himself, rebuild his life, and step fully into long-term sobriety with purpose and direction. Today, Nate is committed to paying that healing forward. He shares his work with the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, supporting firefighters seeking alternative mental health and wellness treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies. Through this work, Nate is helping create new pathways for firefighters who feel trapped in silence, stigma, or suffering—offering real hope rooted in his own lived experience. This episode is raw, brutally honest, and deeply needed. Nate’s story reminds us that the fire service must embrace conversations about mental health, addiction, trauma, and recovery. And it reinforces a truth we cannot ignore: our people deserve care, compassion, and access to every tool that can save their lives. Nate’s vulnerability is a gift. His message is a wake-up call. His recovery is proof that healing is possible—and worth the fight. For more information on the Casey Skudin 343 Fund, go to www.343fund.org The Casey Skudin 343 Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting first responders and their families who struggle with trauma, PTSD, depression, addiction, and other mental health challenges related to their careers. Founded by Angela Skudin in memory of her husband, FDNY firefighter Casey Skudin, the fund provides grants and access to holistic and alternative healing treatments—including psychedelic-assisted therapies and other non-traditional modalities that are often inaccessible through standard healthcare. It also offers structured preparation and integration support throughout the healing journey, aiming to help those who protect and serve find sustainable recovery and wellness.

n this episode, Jeremy sits down with Deputy Chief Tom Wiezcerzak, the commanding officer overseeing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) operations at Newark Liberty International Airport—one of the busiest and most complex aviation environments in the world. Tom breaks down the enormous responsibility of protecting thousands of passengers a day, managing responses to everything from indicator lights and hot brakes to engine failures, bird strikes, and large-scale emergencies.But the conversation reaches far deeper than operations. Tom opens up about faith, humility, and servant leadership as the cornerstones of his approach to the fire service. He talks about staying grounded, being accountable for your decisions, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will call you out, refocus you, and help you grow. Together, he and Jeremy discuss what it means to be a good person first and a good firefighter second, how character shapes leadership, and why continuous education and honest communication are essential to earning trust—whether with firefighters, administrators, or the public.They reflect on career paths, the weight of command, and the emotional aftermath of aviation tragedies, including the recent UPS crash that took the life of pilot Dana Diamond, a respected advocate within the ARFF community. Tom explains how moments like that sharpen the mission, reinforce preparedness, and remind every responder of the sacred obligation they carry.From high-hazard operations to personal values, from professional evolution to the impact of mentorship and friendship, this episode is a compelling look at leadership, purpose, and the heart of the fire service—set against the backdrop of one of the most demanding response environments in America.

Another Street Talk, this time recorded at Manhattan's Dublin House on the Upper West Side. In this episode, Mickey discusses lithium-ion battery fires in commercial occupancies — what we’re seeing in the field, why these fires are escalating rapidly, and how first due companies need to approach them with a different tempo and disciplined tactics.

This episode dives deep into the extraordinary career and impact of Jack Murphy—fire marshal, educator, code advocate, author, and one of the foremost voices in high-rise fire safety and building intelligence. Through storytelling, lessons learned, and decades of lived experience, Jack walks us through the evolution of the modern fire service and the crucial role relationships, communication, and mentorship have played in shaping it.From his early beginnings influenced by family legacy to becoming a national leader in fire code development, Jack highlights how personal connections and community ties remain at the heart of effective emergency response. He shares the challenges of enforcing fire safety in an increasingly complex built environment and explains how collaboration between firefighters, building officials, and industry partners is essential to true community risk reduction.Jack recounts pivotal moments in his career—from massive events like Woodstock ’94 to the profound lessons that emerged from September 11th—showing how those experiences reshaped the fire service’s approach to preparedness, high-rise command, and incident management. Central to his message is the value of building intelligence and tools such as Building Information Cards, pre-incident planning, and Quick Action Plans, all of which have transformed how firefighters operate in dense urban environments.Throughout the conversation, we explore the global influences on American fire safety, innovations in building technology, and the growing demand for integrated communication and data systems. Jack emphasizes that while technology drives efficiency, the fire service will always rely on the human element: mentorship, leadership, and the relationships forged on and off the fireground.Ultimately, this episode is a masterclass in legacy. Jack Murphy reminds us that the future of the fire service depends on continuous education, sharing knowledge, embracing innovation, and preserving the traditions and pride that built the profession. His insights offer a clear roadmap for today’s leaders and tomorrow’s firefighters as they navigate an ever-changing operational landscape.

In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Jim Webb, the senior man of his home firehouse and a 53-year member of the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. From growing up in River Edge around his father’s firehouse to carrying on his grandfather’s FDNY Ladder 8 legacy, Jim walks us through a lifetime in the American volunteer fire service—back when yellow Maxims, tailboard riding, long coats, and hip boots were the norm and the siren meant the whole town was running to the firehouse, not just checking their phones.Jeremy and Jim trade stories about memorable jobs like the Franklin Lakes Building Supply fire and the Cider Mill, riding the back step, and the days when engines left the house packed with firefighters hanging off every grab bar. They talk about the social fabric of the firehouse—Old Timers dinners, Santa runs, long nights of cards and conversation—and how that camaraderie built the brotherhood so many of us still chase today.Jim also shares his 40-year career as a civil engineer with Con Edison in New York City, including his connection to the 1975 New York Telephone fire and his time at Ground Zero after 9/11, and how infrastructure, incident command, and the fire service all intersected in his world. From there, the conversation turns to where we are now: recruitment vs. retention, overworking our senior members, the power of simple one-on-one appreciation, and why “fix your house before you invite anyone over” matters for every volunteer department trying to survive.Along the way, they remember influential mentors like the legendary Jack Willer and talk about why National Fire Radio exists in the first place—to capture and preserve the stories of the senior man before they fade away. If you grew up in a firehouse, or you’re trying to rebuild one today, this is a sit-down at the kitchen table you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, Mickey sits down with Capt. Mike Grey — a recently retired FDNY captain who led both Probationary Firefighter School and Ladder 19 in the Bronx. Two positions that carry real weight in this job.They get into everything: leadership, loyalty, friendship, self-doubt, and how all of it shows up on and off the fire floor. It’s real, it’s honest, and it’s the kind of conversation you only get between individuals who love this job unconditionally.

In this episode Jeremy and I sit down over a few cold beers to delve into the world of leadership and the critical traits and skills that define effective leaders in high-stakes environments, examine the concept of "Firefighter IQ," and discuss the ever-growing influence of social media on the firefighting community.

Episode 441, Gas Tank Trips, brings back Shimek from Conversation Is Ventilation for another one of Jeremy’s on-air therapy sessions that a lot of us secretly need.What starts as a laugh about Jeremy’s new studio and his wall of t-shirts quickly turns into a deep dive on purpose, fulfillment, and why so many firefighters stop having fun as they get older on the job. Shimek breaks down his idea of “gas tank trips” – filling the tank, picking a direction, staying off the interstate, and just going – as a metaphor for unplugging, being present, and saying yes to unplanned experiences with your family, your crew, or even by yourself.Jeremy opens up about being buried by life, trying to balance work, family, and the firehouse, and realizing he needs more of those simple, intentional getaways with his wife and kids. The two talk about avoiding the bitter, disgruntled firefighter trap, the responsibility of the senior man to tell stories and pass it on, and how powerful it is to be honest, vulnerable, and just 1% better than yesterday.From t-shirt walls and peanut butter-and-jelly “Shimek” sandwiches to heavy talk about mental load, happiness, and connection, this episode is a reminder to put the phone down, hit the two-lane roads, and start having fun on purpose again.

In this episode, Jeremy reconnects with longtime friend and Buffalo Fire Department Captain (and soon-to-be Battalion Chief) Sean Eagen for a wide-open, honest conversation about the fire service, personal growth, and the realities of the job after nearly three decades on the line.Sean shares the changes in his own life—stepping back from brewery work, rediscovering balance, dialing in his health, and gearing up for promotion after 28 years in the street. The two dive deep into topics that hit home for a lot of firefighters today: getting older in the fire service, managing fatigue, accountability, physical conditioning, and the discipline it takes to stay sharp when the job is trending younger than ever.They break down fireground operations in Buffalo: truck work, vent positions, riding assignments, staffing challenges, operational consistency, rooftop work, exposure protection, and the importance of clear expectations for younger firefighters. Sean talks through recent fires, lessons learned, and the mindset required to make aggressive but smart decisions on the fireground.The conversation also hits culture—how social media has changed attitudes, how accountability has shifted, and why experience, humility, and heart still matter more than looking the part. It’s two veterans pulling the curtain back on what the job really takes: conditioning, knowledge, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to learn and lead through every stage of your career.