This week’s episode is an absolute rollercoaster—from serious community risk reduction to Doug being attacked by a rhino on safari, and even an amazing question from a 14-year-old future paramedic in our SNAIL MAIL segment 🐌.
We talk about what it means to truly serve your community, not just during emergencies, but through prevention, education, and compassion. It’s a mix of kitchen table laughs, deep leadership insight, and real-world firehouse experience—just the way we like it.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
🦏 Doug couldn’t make it… he’s hanging with giraffes and dodging rhinos in Africa
🚒 Why we haven’t seen a heroin overdose in a while—“Closed borders!”
📢 Community Risk Reduction (CRR): What it really means and how to do it right
🧠 The obligation to speak up when something in the community isn’t right
🧯 Public programs that work: CPR classes, fall prevention, Trunk or Treat, CERT
💸 How fire departments can create low-cost, high-impact community outreach
❤️ Why it's your responsibility to carry on the fire service legacy
🗣️ Brian’s town orientation and communicating mission/vision to new hires
🤯 PSA: Don't be the salty firefighter that refuses to give a kid candy
📈 Should you measure program success by saves? Or by outreach?
🐌 Snail Mail Segment Returns!
💬 A 14-year-old future paramedic asks: “What can I do to prepare?”
➤ Our answer: BE A KID. Have fun. Stay out of trouble. Learn and grow.
➤ Take EMT in high school, do ride-alongs, and don’t forget to enjoy life.
🍖 Zach on BBQ sauce: “If it needs sauce, it's bad BBQ.”
🐖 Ben Hooper shoutouts and whole-hog debates spark more Backdraft BBQ talk
👏 Shoutout to James (Station 3 Leather) for listening at 5:40 AM
💬 Call to Action:
What programs does your department offer the community?
What’s something you can do—big or small—to reduce risk before the call?
Have you ever started a community program from scratch? Let us know!
🧂 Sponsors:
Unkie’s Seasonings – The firehouse favorite. Available at unkiesseasoning.com
The Burn Box – FD Collectors Club: Monthly firehouse-themed gear & goodies
FD Collectors Club – Show off your challenge coin. If you don’t have it at the bar, you’re buying the round 🍻
🎧 Available on:
Spotify (Video), YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
📬 Snail Mail comments? Drop them on Spotify Q&A or YouTube!
