Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast

Scott Orr
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The podcast for and about firefighters, "Code 3" covers topics of interest to those in the fire service, in about 20 minutes. We take one subject, one guest, and get it done. We don't waste your time.

  1. 6d ago

    When Your Department Doesn't Have Truck Companies with Jim Silvernail

    Today, we’re diving deep into fireground operations and functional strategy. Our focus is on how departments can adapt when dedicated truck companies are not available. When you need an effective, efficient, and safe coordinated fire attack, truck company operations aren't optional—they are an absolute necessity. But what happens when your department doesn't have dedicated truck companies in the station? To answer that question, we are joined by a veteran fire chief and co-author of the 2024 Fire Engineering book, The Non-Traditional Truck Company. Jim Silvernail is chief of the Kirkwood Fire Department of St. Louis County, Missouri. He’s a 25-year veteran of the fire service here to discuss how your department can build a "jack-of-all-trades" culture and how suburban and rural departments can master truck work using the rigs they already have.

  2. Apr 3

    Size-Up: A System for Success with Todd Edwards

    Today, we are rethinking everything you know about fire ground size-up. Everyone has been taught standard acronyms like COAL WAS WEALTH. But that traditional method is often too complicated for a young firefighter or inexperienced officer with no background in building construction. Our guest today is here to share what he calls a system for success. He breaks down the vital difference between an initial windshield report and a true size-up. And he warns that a worthwhile size-up absolutely does not take place from the cab of the apparatus. Todd Edwards explains why identifying the occupancy is the most critical step. Hearing "working fire" over the radio is simply not enough for incoming units to make tactical decisions. They need to know exactly what they are dealing with before they ever step off the rig. Todd Edwards served for over 30 years with Atlanta Fire Rescue. He is a second-generation firefighter and the creator of the presentation "Size-Up: A System for Success." During his career with Atlanta, he held a variety of positions, including Captain, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief.

    Size-Up: A System for Success with Todd Edwards

  3. Mar 21

    Searchable vs. Survivable with Sean Duffy

    How many times have you pulled up to a location, seen fire blowing out of the second-story windows, and thought, "There is no way anyone is alive in there?" Today’s guest argues that firefighters have been making that call far too early. And it’s often based on outdated campaigns and fear rather than real-world data. You took an oath to protect life. It is the driving force behind every decision you make when you pull up to a working fire. But that drive has to be balanced with reality. The question isn't just "is the building searchable?" The harder question is: "Is it survivable?" Joining me is Sean Duffy, a firefighter on a mission to redefine the boundary between searchable space and survivable space. Sean is a vocal advocate for the Firefighter Rescue Survey, using hard data to prove that victims can—and do—survive in structures with over 75% fire involvement. Sean is a highly respected instructor and the voice behind the presentation "Searchable vs. Survivable: Educated Decision Making." He’s here to discuss how to move beyond guessing and start using data, fire behavior, and building construction to make the toughest call on the fireground. He’s a firefighter for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he’s been for almost 20 years. I last had him on the show talking about the reasons why 2-in/2-out is a concept whose time has passed.

    Searchable vs. Survivable with Sean Duffy

  4. Jan 29

    Leadership from the Bottom Up with Dr. Candace Ashby

    You ever walk into *that* firehouse? You know the one. The crew is burnt out. They’ve given up on morale. And they’re constantly complaining that "Downtown" or "The Brass" have ruined the job. But my guest today argues that if your station’s culture is toxic, you shouldn't be looking at the Fire Chief for help... you should be looking in the mirror for solutions to your problems. Yep. The most powerful person in the department isn’t the one with the bugles on their collar—it’s the Company Officer sitting at the kitchen table. Dr. Candace Ashby is a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department. She holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership. She is the creator of "Leadership from the Bottom Up," a no-nonsense approach that challenges firefighters to stop playing the blame game and start taking ownership of their department. She joins me today to talk about why we need to stop waiting for permission to lead, how to turn bitterness into betterment, and why the future of the fire service depends on the men and women riding the engines

    Leadership from the Bottom Up with Dr. Candace Ashby

  5. Jan 15

    Making the Grab with D.J. Stone

    There’s a lot of talk about "making the grab" in this job. But how often do you actually break down what went right when a rescue is successful? Not just the tools, but the mindset, the assignments, and the split-second decisions made in the first few minutes. After the high-fives and backslapping, it’s time to analyze how you did it. So you’ll do it right the next time, too. And to look at your mistakes, so you can avoid them the next time. My guest today has turned that breakdown into a science. D.J. Stone is a Battalion Chief with the South Walton Fire District in Florida. He’s the creator of "The Grab Analysis," a program that dissects real-world rescues—captured on video—to teach firefighters exactly how to prioritize the search and get victims out alive. On this edition of Code 3, we discuss aggressive search culture, the "850" method, and why preparation starts long before the tones drop.

    Making the Grab with D.J. Stone

  6. Jan 8

    Stretch, Charge, Flow, and Move with Daryl Liggins

    We often talk about the fireground as a chaotic environment, because it is. But there is a tendency in the modern fire service to meet that chaos with complexity—adding more gadgets, more steps, and more theories to what is, at its heart, a simple physical battle. When the heat is high and visibility is zero, complexity is the enemy. It slows you down. And in this job, slow can be fatal—in fact, it has been. So, how do we strip away the noise and get back to what actually puts the fire out? Today, we’re going to discuss the "Keep It Simple" philosophy. We’ll talk about why firefighters need to slow down, the specific mechanics of a good hose stretch, and why the most advanced piece of technology on the fireground is still a well-trained firefighter with a nozzle. My guest today believes the answer lies in four simple words: Stretch. Charge. Flow. And Move. Daryl Liggins is a retired Training Captain from the Oakland Fire Department, a department known for its aggressive interior culture and heavy fire duty. Throughout his career, Daryl has been a student of the engine company. He has championed the idea that mastering the basics isn’t about being "old school"—it’s about being effective.

    Stretch, Charge, Flow, and Move with Daryl Liggins

  7. 11/02/2025

    Venting the Roof: When, Where, and How with Nicholas Papa

    Do you know exactly how vertical ventilation works? Depending on your level of experience, you may think you do, but you still might not have a really solid understanding of why it works. Simply cutting a random 4x4-foot hole in the roof won't do the job in all cases. My guest today has a good deal of experience as a firefighter, but he admits that, until he saw a live fire test, he misunderstood how cutting a hole in the roof affects the fire. We’ll talk about that, as well as when it’s the best time to vent the roof, how dangerous it is to work up there, how handlines can be used to move air and smoke with it, and how much training firefighters need to remain proficient in roof operations. Nicholas Papa is a 17-year veteran of the New Britain, Connecticut, Fire Department, where he’s a captain. He became a firefighter in 2003, volunteering for a neighboring suburb until he was hired by New Britain. He is the author of the book Coordinating Ventilation: Supporting Extinguishment & Survivability.

    Venting the Roof: When, Where, and How with Nicholas Papa

  8. 08/28/2025

    Getting Treatment for PTSD at the IAFF's Center of Excellence with Curt Isakson

    If you spend any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with Curt Isakson. He has a massive presence on Facebook and about 6,000 followers. Chief Ike, as he’s also known, has had a 30-plus-year career in the fire service. He's also been an advocate for treatment of firefighters who sufFer from PTSD. So it was not a big surprise when Curt decided to enroll in the IAFF’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. It’s an in-patient treatment program held at a facility in Maryland. The program is designed for firefighters and treats a variety of emotional problems. While about a third of the participants suffer from PTSD, there are also victims of substance abuse and other issues, like depression. In Curt’s case, he decided to check himself in to be treated for PTSD. As his social media followers know, his request for time off to be treated was denied by his employer, Escambia, County, Florida, Fire-Rescue. Curt decided to go anyway. When he returned, he was forced into retirement. But Curt is not sorry he went, even though he lost his job.

    Getting Treatment for PTSD at the IAFF's Center of Excellence with Curt Isakson
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About

The podcast for and about firefighters, "Code 3" covers topics of interest to those in the fire service, in about 20 minutes. We take one subject, one guest, and get it done. We don't waste your time.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Orr
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    302
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright by Scott Orr. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast

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