Shows
The Forward Firefighter31 - Prepared to Perform: Vehicle Extrication with Chief Chris DallasIn this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Chief Chris Dallas of the Valders Fire Department in Wisconsin. Chief Dallas shares insights into his department’s approach and walks us through the mindset, preparation, and tactical considerations for effective vehicle extrications. From emergency scene readiness to hands-on training tips, this episode delivers both education and motivation to help firefighters respond with confidence and precision when seconds count.Chief Dallas began his fire service career in 2000 and became Chief of the Valders Fire Department in 2013. Before leading the department, he spent five years as a re...2025-06-0554 min
The Forward Firefighter30 - Wisconsin MABAS: Incident Planning for Mutual Aid StrategiesIn this episode, we delve into the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) with three distinguished guests: Tim Haas, Fire Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Emergency Management; Josh Ripp, Chief at Stoughton, WI Fire Department and VP of MABAS Wisconsin; and Bruce Hennington, Regional Coordinator for the Southwest region for MABAS Wisconsin.We discuss the history and advantages of MABAS, its structure, and the critical role it plays in resource allocation for mutual aid. Our guests share their extensive fire service backgrounds and highlight notable incidents where MABAS was instrumental. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the...2025-05-0254 min
The Forward Firefighter29 - Marc Hill on his latest book, Read Before You LeadIn this episode, I welcome back Marc Hill to talk about his second book, Read Before You Lead. Learn from Marc as we discuss his experience becoming a new fire chief for a volunteer fire department. Listen to episode 10 to learn more about Marc and his first book, Two Dark Thirty.Marc Hill has devoted over two decades to public service, holding diverse roles as an educator, coach, principal, firefighter, engineer, and fire chief in both volunteer and career departments. An accomplished author, his Amazon bestseller Two Dark Thirty: True Stories to Inspire Teaching and...2025-04-031h 06
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi RothHow a Coaching Sabbatical Shaped Arizona State's Marcus ArroyoThe Power of a Coaching SabbaticalYears ago, I learned that Nike offered sabbaticals to employees after 10 years of service. It made perfect sense - stepping away allowed them to recharge, gain new perspectives, and pour into their families. In the coaching profession, I’ve always believed sabbaticals should be the norm. Every coach I’ve met who has taken a year off, whether by choice or due to job circumstances, has experienced tremendous growth.Pete Carroll famously reinvented his coaching philosophy during his year off. Chip Kelly, Dan Mullen, Urban Meyer, and Bill Belichick all...2025-03-241h 15
The Forward Firefighter28 - Fighting Wildfires in Wisconsin, Strategies and Support from the Wisconsin DNR with Brooke HushagenIn this episode, I talk with Brooke Hushagen, a Forestry Technician at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ranger Station in Poynette, Wisconsin. Brooke shares her expertise on the various services the DNR provides, including fire protection.Listen in as Brooke discusses wildland firefighting tactics, offers valuable advice, and recounts her experiences with memorable large fires and recent incidents.2025-03-0641 min
The Forward Firefighter27 - Ben’s Story and the Importance of RIT. Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon CoryThis episode is dedicated to the memory of Benjamen K. “Ben” Lauren, Captain at the Forsyth Township Fire Department in Upper Michigan. Ben was a respected firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 23 in the year 2020.
Tune in to this podcast as I chat with Brandon Cory, who was beside Ben on that tragic day and shares Ben’s story. Learn about the importance of Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) and get valuable RIT training advice that departments can use.
Brandon is a second-generation firefighter and has been dedicate...2025-02-0657 min
The Forward Firefighter26 - Train So That You Are Ready. Captain Nathan OlsonNathan Olson is the Captain of Training for the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. A department member for just over 10 years, Captain Olson provides strong leadership skills gained through his military experience.
Captain Olson's military career began after high school in 1988 and continues today. After serving on active duty in Panama and California with the Army, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard serving predominantly in the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. During his time in the National Guard, Olson served a tour in Iraq in 2005, performing convoy security. He completed a second tour in Iraq in 2009 where he was...2025-01-0945 min
The Forward Firefighter25 - Behind the Scenes at Chilton Fire Department with Assistant Chief Nathan SchneiderIn this episode, I chat with Nathan Schneider, Assistant Chief of the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department. We discuss the department's makeup, the new fire station, and how its dive team started. Nathan also shares how they celebrated their 150th anniversary with a special video that doubles as a recruitment tool.
We also discuss a clever way the Chilton Wisconsin Fire Department established a water supply system in a rural area during the Fox Valley Alfalfa Mill fire in September 2024. 2024-12-0549 min
The Forward Firefighter24 - Leadership and Development in the Fire Service with Chief HoristIn this episode, we are honored to have Chief Rudy Horist, a distinguished 42-year veteran of the fire service and the Chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District in Illinois. Recognized as the 2023 Chief of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chief Horist leads a dedicated team of 170 personnel in a combination department.
Join us as Chief Horist shares insights into his department’s operations and delves into the crucial aspects of officer development. Whether you’re an aspiring officer or currently serving in an officer role, this episode offers valuable guidance and inspiration from...2024-11-0744 min
The Forward Firefighter23 - Chris Klahn, Board President of the Wisconsin State Firefighters AssociationIn this episode, I talk with Chris Klahn, President of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association. Have you heard about the new OSHA proposed Emergency Response Standard? Learn from Chris what these proposed standards could mean for your department. In this episode, you will also learn about the Montello Fire Department and the different work done by the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association. You will also hear Chris’s advice on recruitment and retention.
Chris has been a firefighter for the Montello Wisconsin Fire Department since 1985. He has experience in almost every position, and served 30 years as assistant chief. Ch...2024-10-0356 min
The Forward Firefighter22 - Chief Joe Knitter, Understanding Restaurant Fires & Cancer PreventionChief Joe Knitter is a 38-year veteran of the South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fire Department, where he served as Chief for the last 10 years. He is currently the Interim Fire Chief at the South Shore Fire Department, which protects the Villages of Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant in southeast Wisconsin.
Chief Knitter is renowned for his class, “Fighting Fires in Fast Food Restaurants” which he has presented at numerous locations, including FDIC. In this episode, Chief Knitter discusses what you need to know before responding to a restaurant fire in your community.
A cancer survivor, Chief Knitter is a...2024-09-0548 min
Five To GoEpisode 277: Underdog winners times three, the Retzlaff-Burton move, more Silly Season bombsDoug, Devin, and Dan break down the Harrison Burton Cinderella story and whether that or Kyle Busch not winning was a bigger surprise. Devin gives his view from the Daytona grandstands and why he is adamant about the top-30 rule. Dan gives his theory on cars lifting off and why Retzlaff might later regret pushing Burton. Doug discusses Layne Riggs' Truck Series win and his view reporting from the pits for MRN for the first time in MIlwaukee. The crew also discusses a potential new NASCAR TV network and the big Trackhouse Silly Season.2024-08-271h 19
The Forward Firefighter21 - Roy Smalley, Mayville, WI Health and Safety Officer Firefighter Fitness and The Safety Officer
Join us as we dive into the world of firefighter wellness with Roy Smalley, the Health and Safety Officer for the Mayville Wisconsin Fire Department and an EMT with Mayville EMS. With his dual expertise as a certified personal fitness trainer and stress management coach, Roy offers invaluable insights into the intersection of emergency response and physical well-being. This episode unpacks the critical role of a Health and Safety Officer and explores ways to improve firefighter fitness.
2024-08-0153 min
The Forward Firefighter20 - Dave Briggs, Wausau Fire Training Chief. Upgrade your knowledge and use of Thermal Image Cameras.Dave Briggs is passionate about the effective use of a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC). In this episode, Dave goes into some TIC training topics that go above and beyond the fire academy. Dave is the Training Division Chief for the Wausau, Wisconsin Fire Department. He is an instructor for the Mid-State and Northcentral Technical Colleges, and he owns his own training company, Firefighter Training, Development, and Coaching LLC.
2024-07-0449 min
The Forward Firefighter19 - Adam Barowy and the Latest UL Research on Battery FiresIn this episode, Adam Barowy discusses the latest research projects about electric vehicle fires and lithium-ion batteries. Barowy is a Lead Research Engineer for the Underwriters’ Laboratory’s Fire Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI). 2024-06-0640 min
The Forward Firefighter18 - 2023 First Responder of the Year, Wisconsin District 35 Chief Dawn HerlacheIn this episode, I talk with Chief Dawn Herlache of the Townsend, Wisconsin Fire Department. Chief Herlache received the first Responder of the Year award for Wisconsin’s 35th Assembly District. Chief Herlache discusses her experience with the Townsend Fire Department, which serves a rural community in northern Wisconsin.
2024-05-0241 min
The Forward Firefighter17 - Sean Duffy - If You Know Something, Show SomeoneSean is an 18-year student of the fire service. He is currently a career firefighter on the Ann Arbor, Michigan Fire Department. Sean is the co-founder of Build Your Culture, founder of Great Lakes H.O.T fire conference, co-host of the Make Due Suburban Fireman Podcast and Unlock Your Culture webcast. As an active member of the Mitten State F.O.O.L.S, he enjoys passing knowledge gained from his mentors and real world experiences. Sean travels around the country providing high quality fire and search tactics training.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of the...2024-04-0442 min
The Forward Firefighter16 - Thoughts on Volunteer Fire and EMS service with Michael PerryMichael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, singer/songwriter, and radio host. Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, one of his most popular books, reveals his experiences as a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT in New Auburn, Wisconsin. Michael is currently a member of Township Fire and Rescue, serving on the EMS side. Township provides fire protection and services to rural areas around the City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Seymour, Washington, Union, Pleasant Valley, and Brunswick are the towns the Township Fire Department protects.
Tune in as we talk about his book...2024-02-2945 min
The Forward Firefighter15 - Enjoying The Volunteer Firefighter Experience, Assistant Chief Brad KoenigLearn about Brad Koenig’s journey as a volunteer firefighter on the Cambridge, Wisconsin Fire Department. Koenig first became interested in the fire service when he went to the Cambridge Fire station with his son for a celebrity event and got talking with the firefighters there. He has since worked up the ranks to become the Assistant Chief. Listen in while we chat about small town fire service.
2024-02-0143 min
The Forward Firefighter14 - Our Customers Deserve Excellent Service, Chief Alex FeldeIn this episode, I sit down with the Alex Felde. Chief of the Vernon, Wisconsin Fire Department.
Alex has an extensive career in the fire service. With 36 years of total experience, he recently retired from the Racine Fire Department as a battalion chief. He has been with the Vernon Fire Department for 14 years. In this episode, you will learn how the Vernon Fire Department operates, how the department has changed over the years, and the challenges we face in the fire service today.
2024-01-0441 min
The Forward Firefighter13 - Talking Search Culture with BJ BreacherBJ is passionate about his work in the fire service, and search is one of the top aspects of the job that he is most passionate about. In this episode we talk about search culture, search tactics, and what it means to embrace search culture. We discuss the need to prioritize and focus on civilian lives. Career, paid on call, part-time, volunteer, it does not matter what firefighter you are or the makeup of your fire department. Citizens demand and deserve our very best, and it is on us to take ownership to do everything in our power to...2023-12-071h 02
The Forward Firefighter12 - Devin Flanigan on Station DesignIn episode 12, I interview Devin Flanigan, a project manager from Keller. Keller is a commercial construction company based in Wisconsin that takes on building projects from the planning phase to final construction. While Devin has never served in the fire service directly, he’s got a unique perspective since his full time work often takes him through the process of designing and building fire stations.
2023-11-0959 min
The Forward Firefighter11 - Firefighter Mollie Kallas, Columbus WI Fire Department on peer support and moreMollie Kallas has been a member of the Columbus Fire Department since 2019. She joined the department as a way to get more involved with the community and wanted to be part of an organization structured in a paramilitary manner. Currently, the only female on the department, Mollie developed a special interest in technical rescue operations and now has a number of ropes and confined space trainings on her resume. Mollie works full time as a drug addiction counselor, where she has a master’s degree in addiction counseling. In this episode Mollie talks about how the skills she developed fo...2023-10-1034 min
The Forward Firefighter10 - Marc Hill - Everyone of Us is a TeacherMarc Hill has an impressive 20-year public service career, holding positions as a teacher, coach, principal, firefighter, engineer, and Fire Chief for both volunteer and career departments. He's also an accomplished author, with the Amazon bestseller "Two Dark Thirty: True Stories to Inspire Teaching and Learning in our local heroes" and its accompanying workbook. Marc's qualifications include a master’s degree in educational leadership and numerous state and national certifications as an instructor, firefighter/paramedic, and incident commander. Throughout his journey, he's been recognized with three Teacher of the Year awards and the prestigious Core Values Award.
2023-09-081h 20
The Forward Firefighter9 - Portage, WI Fire Chief Troy Haase - The Recycling Facility FireWelcome to episode 9 of The Forward Firefighter. In this episode, I chat with Chief Troy Haase from the Portage, Wisconsin Fire Department.
Chief Haase was selected to be the Portage Fire Chief in the fall of 2000. He has over 30 years of experience in the fire service. For the majority of those years, he served as a career firefighter paramedic on the Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Department, where he was also promoted to division chief.
The City of Portage, Wisconsin, located approximately 35 miles north of Madison, is the seat of Columbia County. The Portage Fire...2023-08-0459 min
The Forward Firefighter#8 - Tom Merrill - The Professional Volunteer Fire DepartmentIn this episode, I invited Tom Merrill as my guest to discuss just what a professional volunteer fire department is and what it means to be a professional volunteer firefighter. Career or volunteer, we are providing public service doing a job that can kill you. We need to take this work seriously, career or volunteer, because the communities we serve deserve our very best.
Tom is a 39-year fire department veteran and serves with the Snyder Fire Department located in the Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. He currently serves as a firefighter, but previously served the dep...2023-06-3051 min
The Forward Firefighter#7 - Meet the Columbus WI Fire Department Probationary FirefightersIn this episode, I will talk with some of the newest members of the Columbus, Wisconsin Volunteer Fire Department.
New members of the fire department are required to serve a year as a probationary firefighter. During that probationary period, new members are required to take a 60-hour entry level firefighter class. They are then encouraged to take the Firefighter I State Certification course soon after.
Our department assigns officers as mentors to new members. As one of the mentors, I found this to be a very rewarding experience. Not only does it provide the opportunity to g...2023-06-0937 min
The Forward Firefighter#6 - Blackhawk Technical College Fire Instructor Lane Heins - PTSD in the Fire ServiceWelcome to the Forward Firefighter Podcast, Episode 6, featuring Lane Heins. In this episode, we discuss a few different topics, but the main focus is on PTSD in the fire service.
Lane Heins began his career in Emergency Services in 1994 as an EMT with Green County EMS in Monroe. While attending University of Wisconsin Platteville he joined the Platteville Fire Department and Platteville EMS organizations. Upon graduation, Lane returned to Monroe and joined the Monroe Fire Department and continued to respond with Green County EMS as well. As a paid-on call firefighter, Lane worked through the ranks as a...2023-05-1355 min
The Forward Firefighter#5 - Waukesha, WI Fire Department Lt. Bryan Keup - Team Before SelfWelcome to Episode #5 of the Forward Firefighter podcast. In this episode, you will hear from Lt. Bryan Keup, a career firefighter from the City of Waukesha Fire Department. My focus is usually on the volunteer side of things, but Lt. Keup has a good message to share for all fire departments, volunteer and career. After serving in the United States Air Force Special Operations, his fire service journey started as a volunteer in the Village of Genoa City, located right next to the Wisconsin and Illinois state line. Employed by the City of Waukesha Fire Department since 1996, Bryan is curr...2023-04-1456 min
The Forward Firefighter#4 - Fall River WI Fire Department Captain Tom StoltenburgThis interview takes place on Friday, March 17, 2023 (St. Patrick’s Day!) at the Columbus Fire Station. This show features Fall River Captain Tom Stoltenburg. Fall River, Wisconsin, is a neighboring community to the northwest of Columbus. This guy does it all. He can teach us a lot about balancing priorities. He is currently active on three separate fire departments; Fall River, Arlington, and Sun Prairie. Add on a full time job as a mechanic, he also finds a way to train and compete in Iron Man competitions. Tom is also a married family man, raising six kids ages 2 - 15 with his...2023-03-1844 min
The Forward Firefighter#3 - Columbus WI Fire Department Deputy Chief Jerrod FoxColumbus, WI Fire Department, Deputy Chief Jerrod Fox. Raised on a dairy farm outside of Columbus, Fox moved within city limits in to join the volunteer fire department in 1998. Since that time, he climbed the ranks from firefighter to his current role as deputy chief. Listen in as we discuss his numerous roles including PIO, coaching experiences, fire investigations, and just some great firefighting stories. Fox has a superior passion for the volunteer fire service. His energy is hard to match, and his positive attitude is contagious. Are you thinking about being a volunteer firefighter, but are afraid to commi...2023-02-2158 min
The Forward FirefighterEpisode #2 - Columbus Fire Chief Scott HazeltineIn this episode, you will hear from Columbus, Wisconsin Fire Department Chief, Scott Hazeltine. Chief Hazeltine has been in the fire service since 1979. Since then, he has held numerous positions, from firefighter /EMT to fire chief. Chief also served on the Juda and Browntown Fire Department in addition to Columbus. Listen to Chief Hazeltine and learn about what is new at the Columbus Fire Department, and what his vision is to keep moving the department forward.2023-02-0733 min
The Forward FirefighterThe Forward Firefighter TrailerTrailer for The Forward Firefighter Podcast2023-01-3101 min
The Forward FirefighterIntroductionLearn what this podcast is about, the person behind the idea, about volunteer fire departments, and what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter.2023-01-3021 min
WELSTech Audio698 – Lutheran Leadership Conf SpecialRecorded in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton, a site visited by President John F. Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II (among others), WELSTech is covering WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership in style! Listen in as Martin and Sallie are joined by WELS Tech team member Dan Retzlaff to reflect on the mountain of […]2023-01-1921 min