The Cool Fireman Podcast

Matt, Brian, Adam, Doug, and Freddy
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The Cool Fireman Podcast brings you into the world of firefighting with hosts Matt, Doug, Unkie, Brian, and Freddy. We tackle topics that matter most to firefighters—career growth, safety, mental health, and the everyday challenges on and off the job. Featuring real talk, expert guests, and a bit of humor, this is where the fire service connects, learns, and shares stories. Whether you're a firefighter or simply interested in the life of one, join us for conversations that are as informative as they are engaging.

  1. 3d ago

    Social Media Fails in the Fire Service | Pride, Privacy & Professionalism

    This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam tackle one of the most controversial topics in the fire service: 🚒 When does sharing become oversharing? The conversation dives into firefighter social media use, taking photos at incidents, off-duty conduct, and whether firefighters should be held accountable for what they post online. What starts as a discussion about a recent fire service controversy turns into a deeper conversation about professionalism, public trust, and representing the badge both on and off duty. Should firefighters take photos at fire scenes?Where is the line between pride and poor judgment?Should firefighters be disciplined for off-duty social media posts?Does social media help or hurt the fire service?Why public perception matters more than everThe responsibility that comes with wearing the badgeFirehouse traditions vs. modern-day scrutinyThe power of professionalism on and off duty Patreon Perks winner shoutoutsBenjamin Fry's Turn Out Drill answersThe great pineapple-on-pizza debate 🍍🍕Favorite smells, mountain air, diesel fuel, and pipe tobaccoNew Patreon members and upcoming giveawaysLittle Station 5 collaboration announcementUpdates from Unkie's Seasoning and Burn Box sponsors The crew answers listener questions about: Fire service rank and family sacrificeFirefighter hobbies and off-duty activitiesVolunteer firefighter jokes (again...)Future episode ideas from the audience Whether you're a career firefighter, volunteer, officer, or probationary firefighter, this episode is guaranteed to make you think about how we represent ourselves, our departments, and the fire service as a whole. 🔥 Join the conversation and let us know: Should firefighters be disciplined for off-duty social media posts? Support the Podcast:Patreon: Exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Turn Out Drills, monthly giveaways, and more. Sponsors: Unkie's SeasoningBurn BoxLittle Station 5#Firefighter #FireService #Firehouse #SocialMedia #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FirefighterLife #Leadership #FirstResponder #FireDepartment #FirefighterPodcast #Professionalism #VolunteerFirefighter #CareerFirefighter #FirehouseCulture #Brotherhood #FireRescue #EmergencyServices #FirefighterTraining #Podcast #FirehouseKitchenTable In This Episode:Patreon & Community UpdatesSnail Mail

    56 min

  2. Jun 15

    Who Sacrifices More: Firefighters or Their Families? | True or False

    🚒 Would You Rather: White Shirt Edition Returns! 🚒 The boys are back with another round of firefighter debates, hot takes, and leadership conversations that hit a little deeper than usual. This episode starts with some housekeeping, sponsor updates, Patreon shoutouts, and a heartfelt tribute to fallen firefighter Chief Harold Osborne before diving headfirst into a series of thought-provoking "True or False" discussions. Topics include: 🔥 Are the best firefighters usually the quietest?🔥 Is your reputation built more in the station or on the fireground?🔥 Do firefighters eventually become the people they once complained about?🔥 Can accountability and brotherhood truly coexist?🔥 Are most leadership problems actually communication problems?🔥 Does failure help people discover their purpose?🔥 Who sacrifices more for a firefighter's career—the firefighter or their family? The conversation gets real as Matt, Brian, and Unkie share personal experiences about leadership, promotion, family life, communication, and the realities of serving in the fire service. One of the most powerful discussions of the night centers around the sacrifices made by firefighter families and why they may be the true unsung heroes of the profession. Plus, in this week's Snail Mail segment, the crew answers a listener's question about becoming a firefighter at 45 years old and why it's never too late to pursue a career that matters. Featured Sponsors 🔥 Unkie's Seasoning🔥 FD Collectors Club🔥 Burn Box Patreon Perks Special thanks to our newest Engineer Tier member and congratulations to this month's Patreon Perks winner! We also preview some exciting upcoming giveaways with Little Station Five. 💬 Question of the Week:True or False: Our families sacrifice more for our fire service careers than we do. Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 🚒 Stay safe. Stay salty. Stay Cool.

    1h 7m

  3. Jun 8

    🔥 Firefighters Rank the HOTTEST Fire Service Takes (Some Got NUCLEAR!)

    Hot Take Meter: Are We Setting the Internet on Fire? This week, the entire crew is back together—Matt, Doug, Brian, and Unkie—for a brand-new game called Hot Take Meter. Every statement gets ranked as a Cold Take, Warm Take, Hot Take, or Nuclear Take, and the guys aren't holding back. From rookie cell phone policies and firehouse traditions to chiefs riding rigs and the ever-controversial topic of vertical ventilation, this episode dives headfirst into some of the fire service's most debated topics. Some takes spark healthy discussion. Others threaten to melt the comment section. In This Episode: 🔥 Should rookies stay off their phones during shift?🔥 Are firehouse traditions disappearing—and is that a good thing?🔥 The surprising debate around vertical ventilation and modern fireground operations.🔥 Should chiefs still ride rigs occasionally?🔥 Uniform policies, professionalism, and firehouse culture.🔥 A Patreon Turnout Drill winner is selected live!🔥 June Patreon Perks winner Benjamin Fry gets his Burn Box package.🔥 Little Station 5 joins forces with The Cool Fireman Podcast to sponsor July's Patreon Perks package. Patreon Updates A huge thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! This month’s Patreon Perks winner is Benjamin Fry, and July’s giveaway is being sponsored by our friends at Little Station 5 (Quinn and Travis) with an exclusive merch package. Join Patreon today: Rookie Tier – $1/monthEngineer Tier – $2/month (includes monthly giveaway eligibility)Honoring Our Fallen This episode also takes a moment to honor fallen firefighters: Josh MorganDemair LloydRobert B.K. Kildruff Jr.As well as K9 Knight and all first responders lost in the line of duty. Question of the Week What's your hottest fire service take? Drop it in the comments and let us know if it's:❄️ Cold🌤️ Warm🔥 Hot☢️ Nuclear 🎙️ Subscribe, rate, and share the show.🔥 Support the podcast at The Cool Fireman Podcast Patreon.🚒 Follow us on social media for clips, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content. #FirefighterPodcast #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #HotTakeMeter #FirehouseCulture #FireService #FirefighterLife #TruckCompany #Leadership #FirefighterTraining #FirstResponder

    1h 8m

  4. Jun 1

    “Would You Rather” and It Gets OUT OF CONTROL 🚒😂

    🔥 WOULD YOU RATHER: FIREHOUSE EDITION 🔥 This week Matt and Doug bring back one of the podcast’s favorite formats with another hilarious and brutally honest game of “Would You Rather?” — firehouse style 👊 The guys debate everything from lazy firefighters vs know-it-alls, strict policy vs complete chaos, old salty captains vs overly motivated new captains, and whether respect from your crew matters more than admin approval 😂 Along the way they dive into:🚒 Firehouse culture and leadership🚒 Freelancing vs accountability on the fireground🚒 EMS life and ambulance burnout🚒 Old school experience vs new school motivation🚒 Cooking at the station vs doing dishes🚒 Promotions, trust, and earning respect🚒 Retirement conversations in the fire service🚒 Why freelancing can get firefighters hurt The episode also includes:🔥 Patreon Perks winner announcement🔥 Updates from Unkie’s Seasoning and Burn Box🔥 Snail Mail listener comments🔥 Discussion on firefighter sleep deprivation and wellness This one is packed with laughs, honest opinions, firehouse banter, and plenty of controversial takes that every firefighter can relate to. 👇 Drop your answers in the comments:Would YOU rather work with a lazy firefighter or a know-it-all firefighter? 👀 🎙️ The Cool Fireman Podcast #FirefighterPodcast #FirefighterLife #WouldYouRather #FirehouseHumor #Leadership #EMS #TheCoolFiremanPodcast

    55 min

  5. May 25

    Firefighter-Owned Energy Drink? ⚡ Building Finergy Fuel While Raising a Family

    This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew sits down with Megan from Finergy Fuel Energy Drink to talk about building a firefighter family business, balancing marriage and kids while chasing big goals, and creating a healthier energy drink option for first responders and people constantly on the go. Megan shares the real behind-the-scenes struggles of starting a business from scratch while raising two kids under two, supporting a firefighter husband, and trying to grow a brand without losing sight of what matters most. The crew also dives into:⚡ The truth about the energy drink industry⚡ Why ingredients and formulation matter⚡ Building a business while balancing family life⚡ Social media struggles for small businesses⚡ Supporting firefighter-owned companies⚡ Long nights, stress, and staying grounded⚡ Funny debates about pineapple pizza 🍍😂⚡ The realities of entrepreneurship in the fire service community This episode is packed with laughs, honest conversations, business insight, and motivation for anyone trying to build something meaningful while juggling real life. 🎙️ Featuring:• Megan from Finergy Fuel• Brian• Unkie• Matt 👇 Check out Finergy Fuel online and support firefighter-family-owned businesses! #FirefighterPodcast #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #FirefighterLife #EnergyDrink #Firewife #FirstResponderLife #TheCoolFiremanPodcast

    59 min

  6. May 18

    Firefighter Sleep Problems? The Truth About CBD, Recovery & Mental Health with Jon from Rescue 1 CBD

    This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew sits down with Rescue 1 CBD founder and firefighter/paramedic Jon Vought to have a REAL conversation about firefighter sleep deprivation, inflammation, recovery, and the stigma surrounding C*D in the fire service. Jon shares how a devastating foot surgery, long-term opioid use, and terrible sleep led him down the path of creating a firefighter-focused CD company specifically designed to help first responders WITHOUT risking failed drug tests. The crew dives deep into: 🔥 The difference between C*D and T*C 🔥 Why firefighters struggle with sleep 🔥 How cannabinoids affect circadian rhythm 🔥 Pain relief vs inflammation relief 🔥 Nicotine pouches, sleep health, and recovery 🔥 Drug testing myths in the fire service 🔥 Why Rescue 1 CBD became the first firefighter-tested C*D company studied by universities The conversation gets nerdy, hilarious, and incredibly informative as the guys break down how poor sleep is impacting firefighters everywhere — and what we can actually do about it. Plus, Jon survives the Turnout Drill with questions about chili beans, challenge coins, and helicopter flying. 😂 👨‍🚒 Guest: Jon Vought 🌐 Rescue1CBD.com 📲 Instagram: @rescue1cbd As always, thank you for supporting The Cool Fireman Podcast. Like, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your crew! 🔥🚒 #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Firefighter #CBD #FireService #MentalHealth #SleepDeprivation #FirstResponder #FirefighterWellness #Recovery #Podcast #FirehouseCulture #EMS #Paramedic #HealthAndWellness #Brotherhood

    1h 22m

  7. May 11

    Firefighter Mental Health, Trauma & Relationships with Erin Jane Wellness Coaching

    In this powerful episode, the crew sits down with Australian former police officer, detective, wellness coach, and first responder advocate Erin Jane for an honest conversation about firefighter mental health, relationships, burnout, trauma, and resilience. Erin shares her journey from law enforcement in Australia to becoming a first responder wellness coach in the United States after meeting her firefighter husband in Berlin. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, volunteering on crisis hotlines, and why she felt called to create a space where first responders can talk openly without judgment. The crew dives deep into “cab therapy” and kitchen table conversations in the firehouse — why firefighters use dark humor to cope, why those conversations matter, and why sometimes they still aren’t enough. Matt talks about missing the firehouse camaraderie while recovering from a heart attack and how the laughs inside the engine cab can become part of the healing process. Erin explains the importance of being intentional about wellness, from creating routines and exercising first thing in the morning to grounding yourself, decompressing after shift, and learning how to recognize stress before it spirals into burnout, divorce, addiction, or worse. The conversation also explores: The physiological effects of trauma and sleep deprivationWhy first responders struggle to ask for helpFear of stigma, losing careers, or appearing weakHow communication impacts firefighter marriagesWhy resentment can destroy relationshipsThe importance of self-awareness and emotional regulationThe reality of chronic sleep deprivation in the fire serviceHealthy coping strategies vs. maladaptive behaviors Doug asks Erin what firefighters and cops are best at hiding, and her answer hits hard: fear. The crew discusses how many first responders silently carry stress, trauma, and emotional exhaustion while pretending everything is fine. The episode balances heavy topics with plenty of laughs, including Erin introducing the now legendary “Sodomy Scale” — a humorous communication system she and her firefighter husband use to explain how rough a shift was without needing to relive every detail. The crew also talks about:🔥 Firehouse culture🔥 Relationships in the first responder world🔥 Intentional wellness practices🔥 Trauma awareness for new firefighters🔥 The importance of recognizing warning signs early🔥 Why asking for help is not weakness Erin also shares details about:🎧 The Thin Line Rock Station🎙️ Her podcast I’ll Hold Space for Your Darkness🚒 The upcoming 24-hour live fundraiser supporting first responder mental health initiatives and suicide prevention organizations. As always, the episode wraps up with laughs, turnout drill questions, and classic Cool Fireman Podcast banter. Follow Erin Jane:📲 Instagram: @erinjanecoaching🌐 erinjanecoaching.com🎧 The Thin Line Rock Station 🔥 Roll it, GG.

    1h 26m

  8. May 4

    Firehouse Family: Taking Care of Our Own When It Matters Most

    In this episode of The Cool Fireman Podcast, the guys circle back on a topic that sparked a lot of conversation—the “family feel” of the firehouse. After some feedback from listeners, they take a step back from the negativity and bring it back to what really matters: how the fire service shows up when one of its own is going through something tough. From injuries and family emergencies to extended time away from work, this episode dives into the real ways firefighters support each other—both on and off the job. 🔥 In This Episode Why the “firehouse family” isn’t gone—it’s what you make it Real story: Supporting a crew member during a child’s medical emergencyMeal trains, check-ins, and the small things that make a big impactDepartment policies: sick leave, donated leave, and light duty assignmentsThe importance of accident insurance and financial preparedness Why younger firefighters need to understand the benefits early How different departments handle injuries (on-duty vs. off-duty)Maintaining firehouse culture despite phones, new stations, and changing times 💡 Key Takeaways The firehouse culture may look different—but the brotherhood is still there Support doesn’t have to be big—a text, visit, or meal goes a long way Protect yourself: insurance, benefits, and planning matter more than you think Culture is built intentionally—it doesn’t just happen anymore When life hits hard, the fire service still shows up 👊 🧯 Housekeeping New Patreon members welcomed (free + paid tiers) 🔥 May Patreon Perks Winner: William “Crummy” Crumpacker Patreon continues to grow—thank you to everyone supporting the show Plans in the works for live podcast recordings and audience interaction 🤝 Sponsors Unkie’s SeasoningThe Burn Box – firefighter subscription gear🕊️ Moment of Silence A moment of silence is held for first responders lost this past week, with a reminder to properly honor those we may have missed in future episodes. 📬 Snail Mail Listener engagement continues to grow across platforms Feedback on firehouse culture debate Conversations around generational differences in the fire service FDIC shoutouts and community connections 💬 Final Thought The firehouse family isn’t dead. It just looks different now. And at the end of the day…it’s still about showing up for your people when they need it most. 👇 Question for You 👉 Have you seen your department step up for someone in a tough situation? Drop your story—we’re reading them.

    44 min
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About

The Cool Fireman Podcast brings you into the world of firefighting with hosts Matt, Doug, Unkie, Brian, and Freddy. We tackle topics that matter most to firefighters—career growth, safety, mental health, and the everyday challenges on and off the job. Featuring real talk, expert guests, and a bit of humor, this is where the fire service connects, learns, and shares stories. Whether you're a firefighter or simply interested in the life of one, join us for conversations that are as informative as they are engaging.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt, Brian, Adam, Doug, and Freddy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt, Brian, Adam, Doug, and Freddy
  • Show Website
    The Cool Fireman Podcast

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