Don't Risk It! Podcast

Electric vehicles have increased in popularity over the years—but when an EV catches fire, fire departments can face challenges when extinguishing and managing the vehicle.  Deputy Chief Rick Reeg from Aldine Fire & Rescue in Houston, Texas, joins Chris Rodgers from VFIS to discuss the EV Tainer, a specialized piece of equipment his department uses to manage electric vehicle incidents.  Listen to hear them discuss:  The challenges departments face when responding to electric vehicle fires How the EV Tainer works to contain, extinguish, and safely relocate burning vehicles The benefits of using an EV Tainer compared to other methods Learn how Aldine Fire & Rescue uses the EV Tainer to respond to electric vehicle incidents—and how the equipment could help your department manage these challenging calls.

Are you overlooking property hazards that could turn into a major incident at your facility? Listen to hear some common risks we observe at emergency service organizations relating to: Above ground fuel tanks Training props Facility systems And more! In our latest podcast episode, VFIS Emergency Services Specialists, Chris Rodgers, Blair Tyndall, and Dave Bradley, discuss considerations for your facility inspection and maintenance program, including simple ways you help improve safety at your station.

Steve Rabine, former VFIS Education Specialist and Claims Adjuster, current Public Safety Equipment Specialist with Witmer Public Safety Group, and Fire Chief, joins Chris Rodgers from VFIS to discuss personal protective equipment (PPE) inspection, maintenance, and replacement. Listen to hear them answer questions such as: How often should a department inspect their gear and what should they look for during the process? What should be done if turnout gear is found to be torn or damaged during inspections? Why is documentation of inspections important? Take 12 minutes to learn key PPE practices for emergency services—and discover how they can be applied to your organization. 

When an emergency call comes in, every second matters—but responding in a privately owned vehicle (POV) can create unique safety risks.  In this podcast episode, Rick Lago, Investigator for Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program with NIOSH, joins Chris Rodgers from VFIS to discuss a tragic incident involving a firefighter driving a POV and the lessons learned through NIOSH's investigation.  Listen to hear them explore:   The risks of firefighters responding from home versus the firehouse. How training can help responders recognize and prepare for elevated risks in the field. The importance of communication, route planning, and proper notifications when responding in a POV. Plus, read the report from this here.

Could the training in your fire department be more structured, consistent, or effective? In our latest podcast episode, Chris Rodgers from VFIS, and Rodney Foster, Education, Training, and Consulting Specialist from VFIS of Oklahoma and Arkansas, discuss the best strategies to improve training processes in your organization.  Listen to hear them talk about: Ways to improve training participation among volunteer firefighters How to prepare lesson plans and objectives for training nights The importance of training record keeping Every department can strengthen its training program—and this episode will help you identify where to start.