The Pipeman

The Pipeman Podcast sits down with Capt. (Ret.) Jay Comella, with the Oakland Fire Department (CA), for a wide-ranging conversation about the fire service, engine company operations, and the people and experiences that helped shape his career. Jay reflects on the 1999 LODD of Tracy Toomy, the profound impact it had on him, and how it shaped the direction of the Oakland Fire Department. He also shares stories from the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, including working alongside salty Vietnam veterans whose wartime experience translated to the fireground, allowing them to call in precision air tanker drops during the firefight.Jay talks about attending firefighting lectures taught by Andy Fredericks at the burn center in New York to help raise funds for the center. It was through these lectures that Jay first met Andy, beginning a connection that would have a lasting influence on him. The conversation moves into Jay’s work developing hose and nozzle systems and his support for the UL fire attack studies, with much of his own work and experience closely connected to the body of knowledge reinforced by this research.Jay also reflects on the influence of fire service legends Tom Brennan and Andy Fredericks, including The Book of Andy, Andy’s Father’s Day fire article, and the Rockland County memorial honoring his legacy. It’s a conversation rooted in fire service history, hard-earned experience, and the importance of understanding the “why” behind our operations while continuing to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

The Pipemen sit down with Mike Smith from FDNY Engine 48 to talk engine company culture, mentorship, and the traditions that shape good firemen. Mike shares what it’s like working in a house with such a strong history—including being part of the same company where the late Andy Fredericks once worked and left a lasting legacy on engine company operations.Mike takes us inside the culture of Engine 48 and talks about the firefighters and officers who invested in him along the way. From mentorship and guidance to expectations and accountability, he shares how the people around him helped shape the fireman he is today—and why passing that knowledge on to the next generation remains such an important part of the fire service.This is part 2 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mike Smith from FDNY Engine 48 to talk engine company culture, mentorship, and the traditions that shape good firemen. Mike shares what it’s like working in a house with such a strong history—including being part of the same company where the late Andy Fredericks once worked and left a lasting legacy on engine company operations.Mike takes us inside the culture of Engine 48 and talks about the firefighters and officers who invested in him along the way. From mentorship and guidance to expectations and accountability, he shares how the people around him helped shape the fireman he is today—and why passing that knowledge on to the next generation remains such an important part of the fire service.This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mark Carcamo, Colin Kelley, Cameron Monahan from the West Coast Offense.The Pipeman podcast discuss with WCO what it takes to develop a seamless relationship with the truck company from an engine perspective. We dive into what coordinated ventilation really means and how to support vent teams during a roof member rescue operation as the engine. This conversation provides a framework for any engine company working alongside the truck on how to achieve a seamless relationship.This is part 2 of a 2-part episode.

The Pipemen sit down with Mark Carcamo, Colin Kelley, Cameron Monahan from the West Coast Offense.The Pipeman podcast discuss with WCO what it takes to develop a seamless relationship with the truck company from an engine perspective. We dive into what coordinated ventilation really means and how to support vent teams during a roof member rescue operation as the engine. This conversation provides a framework for any engine company working alongside the truck on how to achieve a seamless relationship.This is part 1 of a 2-part episode.