Firefighter Nation Podcast

Assistant Chief Manny Almaguer draws a distinction most fire departments have never heard: cultural competency and cultural empathy are not the same thing. One checks a box. The other earns trust. In this conversation, he breaks down what that difference actually looks like on the ground.Before he ever put on turnout gear, Almaguer spent years working in psychiatric institutions, and that background shapes everything about how he leads. In 26 years, he's held nearly every role in the Denver Fire Department and spent the last 15 as a national voice on first responder mental health, invited to speak at the White House, the Pentagon, and NATCON.In this conversation, Chief Almaguer covers:Cultural competency vs. cultural empathy, and why the distinction changes how training actually landsHis "kick the tires" audit: personally calling 988 and local recovery resources before recommending them to his crewHis definition of psychological safety, and how to explain it to someone who's never heard the termHow his years as a psychiatric nurse and technician transferred directly into fire service leadership and scene safetyThe story behind Denver Fire's 2013 mental health training program, and the 1,100+ members it reachedWhat a battalion chief or company officer needs to know at minimum to catch something early

In this episode of The CAN Report, host Mike Goldstein sits down with Jake Dickes, a Boulder County captain and founder of Sons of Irons, LLC, to discuss modern fireground operations. Starting his career alongside his father in 2003, Dickes spent 19 years riding the backstep before stepping into leadership. He launched Sons of Irons in 2013 to inject real-world passion back into basic drills, specialized engine tactics, and rapid intervention team operations.The conversation focuses on the realities of running minimally staffed engine companies in rural districts, handling social media online critics, and implementing lasting organizational change. Dickes outlines why progressive tactics demand data over tradition, reminding firefighters that evolution takes time—it took him 12 years to update his department's attack packages. Grounded in trial-and-error experience, he challenges both young members and officers to slow down, respect past investments, and master the core fundamentals of the craft.

Preparing for the CPAT? What you eat and drink before the test can have a major impact on how you perform.In this episode of Fueling Fire, Megan Lautz breaks down the basics of CPAT nutrition and explains how to fuel your body during training and on test day. She covers why carbohydrates are your primary source of fuel, how to approach hydration without overdoing it, what to eat before the CPAT, and why you do not need to load up on protein right before you test.Whether you are in the thick of training for your first CPAT or getting ready for test day, these practical nutrition strategies can help you show up fueled, hydrated, and ready to perform.In this episode:• How carbohydrates fuel CPAT performance• What to eat before the CPAT• Hydration strategies for training and test day• When to eat before the test• Why protein is not the priority immediately before the CPAT• Common nutrition mistakes to avoid• How to prepare your body for a physically demanding testGet the free recipe book from Megan Lautz at Rescue RD:rescuerd.comFollow Megan Lautz:Instagram and TikTok: @Rescue.RDMegan Lautz on LinkedInFirefighter Nation brings practical information, stories, and resources for firefighters, with a focus on the realities of the job, including fitness, health, wellness, leadership, and life in the fire service.

What happens when losing a parent to occupational cancer changes the way you lead a fire department?In Episode 67 of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka sits down with Chief J.T. Wallace of Benton (LA) Fire District No. 4. After following his father into the fire service, Wallace eventually became chief. His father's death from occupational cancer, and the experience of walking just two feet behind his casket, changed the way he thought about protecting the firefighters he leads.Today, Wallace makes firefighter health, cancer prevention, fitness, and behavioral health central to his department's culture. Benton Fire District No. 4 offers fitness incentives, annual physicals for active and retired members, cancer prevention initiatives, and behavioral health support that includes a clinician, chaplain, and peer support.Wallace also discusses the department's continued growth, plans for expansion, firefighter compensation, and the move toward a 24/72 schedule.This is a conversation about what happens when firefighter health and wellness become part of the job, not an afterthought.In this episode:• Chief J.T. Wallace's path into the fire service• Losing his father to occupational cancer• Building a stronger culture around cancer prevention• Fitness incentives for firefighters• Annual physicals for active and retired members• Behavioral health and peer support• Leadership lessons from personal loss• Growing and changing a fire department• The future of Benton Fire District No. 4

Riley McGilloway is a third-generation firefighter from Acton, Ontario, an instructor with Southwest Fire Academy, and president of True North FOOLS. In this episode, Riley talks with Scott Hewlett about the mindset, discipline, and work ethic required to build a career in the fire service.Riley shares how his family and community shaped his approach to the job, the challenges he faced while working toward a career in firefighting, and why he believes you have to earn your place every day. He also discusses his passion for hands-on training, including forcible entry and heavy rescue, the importance of morning truck checks, and the responsibility that comes with caring deeply about the craft.The conversation also explores the work of True North FOOLS, building fire service culture, creating meaningful training opportunities, and helping firefighters stay connected to the traditions and brotherhood that make the job unique.For Riley, there is no point where you have “arrived.” There is always more to learn, more work to do, and more ways to make the people around you better.