Code 3 - The Firefighters' Podcast Scott Orr

How fit are you?
If you’re newer to the fire service, say two or three years in, you’re probably still in reasonably good shape. After all, you had to meet minimum standards at the fire academy.
But unless you’ve kept up with the physical fitness regimen, you may be getting a little soft around the middle.
Or losing endurance.
My guest today says it’s time to do something about that.
Aaron Zamzow is a firefighter/training officer at the Madison, Wisconsin, Fire Department. He has 20 years of experience as a fitness trainer, for athletes and others. He created Fire Rescue Fitness and lectures everywhere.
And he has a podcast, too, called Better Every Shift, on FireRescue1.com

On this episode, we’re talking with Phil Jose, the expert on reading smoke.
As you may know—and as Phil likes to remind us—smoke is fuel.
In most cases, it’s just waiting for the right conditions to ignite.
We’ll discuss how to keep that from happening.
Also on the agenda is a little talk about the relative merits of vertical ventilation. When do you go to the roof and start opening it up? It’s all about coordination.
And finally, we’ll talk about when it’s time to change how things are done on your fireground.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Phil Jose retired from Seattle Fire Department as the Deputy Chief of Operations/Shift Commander after 31 years of service. He’s had the opportunity to work in the training division as a Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief. Phil is a popular seminar speaker around the country, a published author, and he also runs Ignition Point Training.

We’ve talked several times on this show about PTSD and its effects on firefighters. It’s a serious problem, one that affects nearly 40 percent of first responders.
On this edition of Code 3, we’re going to talk about a documentary available on YouTube that brings the problem home in a very impactful way.
It's titled, “The Call We Carry: Confronting PTSD in the Fire Service.”
It’s quite a good documentary, packing a lot into just over an hour of screen time, and winning some prestigious film festival awards.
The film was produced and directed by firefighter-paramedic Cody Shea. He’s been with the Tacoma, Washington Fire Department since 2018.

This week, we’re going to make some people angry.
We’re talking structure fires, risk, and SLICE-RS.
If you’re a probie, that’s an acronym for Size-up, Locate the fire, Isolate the flow path, Cool from a safe distance, Extinguish, Rescue and Salvage at any time in the process.
Today’s guest says that, by following those steps in that order, you’ll have a less risky fireground.
But what about those who advocate for RECEO-VS? That’s Rescue, Exposure, Confine, Extinguish, Overhaul and Ventilate, Salvage.
That puts “rescue” first, which, while it may not be as safe for the firefighter, suggests that saving lives is the priority in a structure fire.
But can using SLICE-RS result in more lives saved? How is that possible?
I’ll ask that of Robert Avsec.
He retired as a Battalion Chief with the Chesterfield, Virginia Fire & EMS Department after 26 years of service. He’s instructed fire, EMS and hazardous materials courses at the local, state and federal levels, including 10 years with the National Fire Academy. He writes a blog and is a published author.

Today’s subject may make you uncomfortable.
If it does, that’s not a bad thing—so stick with me. You could save your own career.
I am talking about harassment in the fire service, both sexual harassment and other types.
Now, look, you know and I know that it goes on. And you know and I know that there have been so-called “sensitivity training” seminars. We also know that they usually aren't well received. Go ahead, admit it. You snickered—or groaned—the last time word came down that there was one you had to attend.
And by the way, if your department or house doesn't have these problems, that’s great. But it doesn’t mean they’ve been extinguished. Harassment still goes on.
My guest on this edition knows all that, too. She’s here to talk about how strong leadership can help eliminate it.
Linda Willing is one of our favorite returning guests here on Code 3.
She’s a retired career fire officer from the Boulder, Colorado Fire Department, who consults with emergency services agencies and other companies through her company, RealWorld Training and Consulting. She’s also a published author and instructs at the National Fire Academy.

The fire service is often called a brotherhood…or a sisterhood, these days.
But how strong is that bond, really?
One of the best places to see the strength of the brotherhood in action is when tragedy occurs.
A mayday call on the fireground results in heroic efforts…and, if those efforts should fail…then the observances for a line-of-duty-death are truly heartwarming.
But what about the rest of the time? When things are routine, how’s your family doing?
My guest today says the brotherhood these days may need some work.
John Cuomo has nearly three decades in the fire service. He’s worked just about every position you can have in the job. He also served as pension representative for a police and firefighter pension fund for 10 years.
He's also written a book, titled "Leadership Refined by Fire".