The Forward Firefighter

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Adam Vapnar, a 19-year-old who is rapidly bridging the gap between being a high school cadet and a high-caliber fire service professional. Adam shares his journey from four years of rural cadet service in Northern Wisconsin to the rigorous Fire Protection Technician Program at Fox Valley Tech. We dive deep into the "student-firefighter" lifestyle, exploring how Adam balances the academic demands of fire science with the real-world operational realities of serving in a volunteer department. It is a masterclass for any young recruit looking to turn a passion into a career while still sitting in a classroom.

Beyond the textbooks and certifications, Adam explains why true growth happens in the "extra credit" of the fire service. From launching the Backseat Wisdom podcast to learn from industry giants, to surviving a grueling storage facility fire that redefined his view on functional fitness, Adam’s story is about the relentless pursuit of the "victim-first" mindset. We discuss why the next generation of the fire service must be willing to go above and beyond the minimum requirements to truly move the mission forward.

What happens when 6,000 gallons of gasoline vanish into a river, or a common garage spill leads to a house demolition? This week, Dan sits down with Beth McCormick, President of WAMR and co-owner of Valley Environmental Response.

Beth shares her experiences responding to HAZMAT cleanup operations. We dive deep into the legalities of spill ownership, the "stick test" for identifying bio-sheens, and why a wax toilet ring might be the most important tool in your kit.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the modern fireground with Paul Shoemaker, founder of the Next Level Training Network, to build your EV Fire Playbook. As electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries become permanent fixtures on our roadways, the old tactics no longer apply. Paul breaks down the science, the safety, and the "street-smart" strategies every department needs to stay ahead of the game.

Paul Shoemaker is an 18-year veteran of the fire service and a Lieutenant in Colorado with over 13 years of experience as a Tech Rescue and Haz-Mat Technician. As a recognized subject matter expert in lithium-ion battery hazards, Paul serves on advisory committees for UL, FSRI, NFPA, and SAE International, working to bridge the gap between automotive manufacturers and the fire service.

Through his company, Next Level Training Network, Paul travels the country delivering masterclasses on EV extrication and lithium-ion fire tactics. His mission is to provide firefighters with a "combat playbook" for the modern fireground, ensuring they are equipped to handle everything from micro-mobility fires to large-scale Energy Storage Systems.

I am kicking off 2026 with Captain Nick Ledin from the Eau Claire Wisconsin Fire Department. I'm talking with him about his fire service journey, ECFD operations, and some massive takeaways from the Firefighter Rescue Survey, including data on victim survival rates that might just change how you look at the fireground.

Nick Ledin is a Captain with Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department, currently assigned to Truck 8. Ledin has been a student of the job for 18 years and is a contributor to ‘Firefighter Rescue Survey’, was the former president of the Northland FOOLS, and is a board member of FireNuggets. He’s a technical committee member for NFPA 1700, was a former technical panel member for UL FSRI’s PPA/PPV Study, and is a co-host of the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Nick is also lucky enough to be a small part of UL FSRI’s Public Education Advisory Committee. He can also grow a pretty legit ‘stache.

Dan is joined by two fantastic guests, Jordan and Leah Crave! Both are dedicated firefighters on the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. Now two years into their journey, they dive into the real challenges and rewards of service. Married for sixteen years and parents to four kids, Jordan and Leah discuss how they manage the intense demands of the fire department alongside their respective careers and busy family life. Tune in to hear about the commitment it takes, the balance they strive for, and the unique experience of serving their community together as a firefighting couple.

Join Dan for a conversation with the creative force behind the documentary "The Best of Us," Emmy award-winning editor Ben Cook, and the man at the center of the film, Chief Matt Boulding of the Cornell, WI Fire Department.

Ben, a Cornell native, shares the precise reason he felt the need to turn his lens on the all volunteer fire department that serves his hometown, capturing their sacrifices, challenges, and resilience. Chief Boulding provides a unique, behind the scenes perspective on what it's like to have your department filmed. He also opens up about the demands of balancing family life, running multiple businesses, and leading the department, while giving us an overview of the Cornell Fire Department's operations.

In this episode on The Forward Firefighter Podcast, Dan sits down with Captain/Training Officer Mike Bernard (Arbor Vitae Fire & Rescue) an Instructor with Midwest Fire Tactics and Training, and author in The Book of Search.

Mike dives deep into the necessity of training above the minimum standard, sharing the unique operational challenges of running an all-volunteer department in a high-tourism area of Wisconsin. We explore his passion for mastering the fundamentals, including the practical benefits and instructional techniques behind the high-value skill of 'Masking Up with Gloves'.

Mike also discusses what it takes to build a strong volunteer culture that drives retention, and how anyone in your department can strategically advocate for positive change. If you're looking to elevate your department's training or personal skill set, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Dr. Chris Frueh, a clinical psychologist, professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and leading expert on the health of military veterans and first responders. Dr. Frueh introduces the concept of Firefighter Syndrome, a framework that explains the cumulative physical and psychological toll of the job, whether you serve as a career firefighter or a volunteer.

We talk about how Firefighter Syndrome differs from PTSD, why challenges like anxiety, low energy, or just not feeling like yourself are often misunderstood, and how that impacts both firefighters and their families. At the same time, Dr. Frueh offers a hopeful perspective by sharing proven strategies to protect health and resilience.

This is a conversation about facing the realities of the job with honesty, while also focusing on solutions that help firefighters stay strong, healthy, and ready for the long haul. Whether you are on the front lines or supporting someone who is, this episode will give you practical tools and a renewed sense of hope.

In this powerful episode of The Forward Firefighter, I welcome Jeff Rothmeier—career firefighter, decorated combat veteran, and author of Mastering the Craft. With two decades of experience spanning urban search and rescue, technical rescue, and engine and rescue company work in both Saint Paul and Milwaukee, Jeff brings depth, humility, and passion to the conversation.

Jeff talks about his early days growing up on a Minnesota farm, his military service in Iraq, and how those experiences shaped his work ethic and mission-driven approach to the fire service. You’ll also learn about his current roles with Rescue 1 and Station 23 in Milwaukee.

He shares the story of a devastating fall from a roof while on the job. At the same time, his daughter was going through a major medical battle. Learn how the fire service brotherhood carried him through both.

Jeff also reflects on what led him to write Mastering the Craft, emphasizing the need for competence and preparation behind every aggressive tactic.

Whether you’re on a rural volunteer crew or riding with a busy rescue company, this episode will challenge and inspire you to approach the craft with greater purpose, pride, and perspective.

In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I talk with April Hammond, Assistant Chief of the Cottage Grove Fire Department and DSPS Integrated Section Chief. April shares an inside look at Cottage Grove’s training culture, call volume, and what it takes to lead a modern volunteer fire department.

She also breaks down her work at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, including how fire departments are audited and why SPS 330 compliance matters to every firefighter’s health and safety.

April talks about her passion for teaching the next generation of firefighters as an instructor at Madison College, and she reflects on her commitment to peer support and her work with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Everyone Goes Home initiative.

From the fireground to the classroom, April’s story is a reminder that the fire service is one big team—and together, we’re a force to be reckoned with.

April Hammond is the DSPS Integrated Section Chief for the Fire Prevention/Safety and Health Program. She previously served as a DSPS Fire Prevention Coordinator and Occupational Safety Inspector from 2008 to 2023, working on several SPS code updates. April is an Assistant Fire Chief, works part-time as a Madison College Instructor, and volunteers as an Investigator in Dane County. She is also an advocate for Everyone Goes Home, founded by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. April has worked as a Municipal Judge, wildland firefighter, emergency dispatcher, EMT, and in law enforcement. She has degrees in criminal justice and holds several additional fire science credentials. April and her family also manage a Dane County farm

In 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 rescue tool specialist, gaining valuable technical expertise in vehicle extrication. In addition to his local leadership, he currently serves as the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Volunteer Trustee, advocating for volunteer departments across the state.

In 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 workings of MABAS and its impact on fire service operations.

In 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 Learning in Our Local Heroes and his latest book, Read Before Leading: 20 Essential Leadership Lessons to Help You Succeed and Avoid Failure, provide invaluable insights on leadership, professional growth, and lifelong learning.

Hill holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and numerous state and national certifications as an instructor, firefighter/paramedic, and incident commander. His contributions to education and leadership have been recognized with three Teacher of the Year awards and the prestigious Core Values Award.

As the founder and chief instructor at Two Dark Thirty Consulting, Hill is dedicated to equipping leaders and educators with the tools to navigate complex challenges, advance strength, and drive meaningful change.

In 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.

This 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 dedicated to the fire service since 2010. He began as a volunteer firefighter, working his way up to Lieutenant before leaving to pursue a full-time opportunity. Currently, he is a senior firefighter for the City of Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and serves as the training officer for the county's special rescue team.

Brandon is Michigan’s state lead advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. He has published articles on Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) for FireRescue1 and contributed a chapter to the book 30 Fires You Must Know. He has also taught at FireHouse Expo and other conferences nationwide.

In addition, Brandon is the Vice President of Great Lakes Hot, Michigan’s premier fire conference, and an instructor/cadre member of Build Your Culture. He holds an associate’s degree and various certifications in the fire and EMS fields from Michigan and Illinois.

Born and raised in the UP of Michigan, Brandon lives there with his wife Jamie and their daughter. He is passionate about training and helping others become the best firefighters they can be, while continually seeking his own professional and personal growth.

Nathan 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 the Company Commander of a unit responsible for overseeing detainee operations.

Through his training responsibilities, Captain Olson brings the same motivation and preparation to the fire service as he does in the military. "We must train so that we are always ready."

In 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.

In 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 one of the most respected leaders in the field.

In 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. Chris is now retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) where he worked as a fire ranger.

Chief 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 also very passionate about cancer prevention in the fire service. In this episode, hear his story and gain valuable advice for all firefighters.

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.

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.

In 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).

In 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.

Michael 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, Population 485, Michael's volunteer experiences, and how the fire service has changed since the writing of his book.

Learn 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.

In 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.

BJ 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 save them. That means using and training on the best tactics that are needed under different circumstances, including solutions that may not be covered in a textbook.

BJ is a career firefighter, AEMT, and MPO for Deforest Windsor Fire and EMS. He also serves part-time on the Verona Fire Department where he is a Lieutenant. On top of that, BJ is a member of the Brew City F.O.O.L.S., where he is also a board member.

BJ got his start in the fire service in 2008 as a wild land firefighter for the Wisconsin DNR. He has experience as a volunteer firefighter with Brodhead Fire and Rescue, where he also served as a part-time fire inspector of the City of Brodhead, Wisconsin. BJ also served as an EMT for Paratech Ambulance Service in Janesville and Brodhead Area EMS.

In 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.

Mollie 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 for her full time occupation transfer to her work for the fire service and vice versa.

Marc 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.

Welcome 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 Department provides fire service for a population of just over 10,000 in the city and also a number of rural townships.  

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the Portage Fire Department received a call for fire reported at the Columbia County Recycling and Waste Processing Facility where several storage buildings were engulfed in flames when they arrived.  The incident became very large, with assistance provided from agencies all over the south central area of the state.  The fire attack occurred over a 26-hour period.

Listen as I talk with Chief Haase to learn more about the Portage Fire Department, his experience, and what it was like to be the incident commander of such a large incident.

Don’t forget to check out my website, the forwardfirefighter.com.  Feel free to contact me and let me know if there are any topics you would like me to cover for an upcoming episode.

In 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 department in the officer ranks for 26 years, including 15 years in the chief officer ranks.  He also currently serves as a Fire Commissioner for the Snyder Fire District.

Tom offers professional development programs for the Volunteer Firefighter.  He has instructed at FDIC and performed different presentations across the country.  He writes articles for Fire Engineering, where he also hosts his own podcast.

In 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 get to know the new members on a personal level, but I found that it also made me a better firefighter along the way by reinforcing skills that are important but not often used.

Recruitment and retention is a major issue in the volunteer fire service.  Fire departments across the nation are finding it harder to find volunteers.  Due to full time job and family commitments, it can be difficult to find the time to volunteer.   Columbus is not exempt to this issue.  I have seen numerous retirements over the last two years.  However, we are also very lucky.  Within the past year, 7 new members joined our department.  The age of this new group ranges from the early twenties to the mid-forties.  Six of them have now completed their entry level firefighting course.  On Wednesday, May 31st I sat down with six of the new members.  We talk about their experiences to date, and provide more information for anyone thinking about joining the volunteer fire service.

Let me know how you like the episode, or any future show ideas, on the Contact form of my website, www.theforwardfirefighter.com

Welcome 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 Firefighter, MPO, and Lieutenant of Apparatus. In 2004 Lane was hired as the Full-time Battalion Chief of Fire Prevention and later promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. Lane also served as the Interim Fire Chief for a period of time.

Teaching has always been a passion of Lane’s. He is currently the Fire Protection Technician Instructor for Blackhawk Technical College Associates Degree Program. Lane also teaches for the Wisconsin Emergency Management Office and the National Fire Academy Incident Management Curriculum. Lane is a State of Wisconsin Fire Service Representative.

Lane is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin Platteville with a BS in Education, a Masters in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University, and a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officers Program

When Lane is not teaching or working, he enjoys helping a high school classmate with farming operations and excavation work. Lane and his wife Lana have two daughters, Ava and Alli, and a dog named Max.

Welcome 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 currently one of three Team Leaders of the Special Services team, which specializes in technical rescue and HAZMAT operations.  Complacency can be a firefighter's worst enemy, but Bryan has a great message to share that will keep our departments sharp and ready to respond when our communities need us most through a healthy culture and strong leadership in our organizations.

This 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 wife Amber.

Columbus, 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 commit?  Have you been on a department for years, but need a jump start to get your ambition going again?  Fox has a great message to share that will have you fully donning your gear in record time again.

In 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.

Trailer for The Forward Firefighter Podcast

Learn what this podcast is about, the person behind the idea, about volunteer fire departments, and what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter.