The Forward Firefighter

Dan Retzlaff
  • 4.4 (7)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Hello and welcome to The Forward Firefighter Podcast. Here, you can listen to discussions with volunteer firefighters in Wisconsin and across the nation - hear their stories, learn about the communities they serve, and what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter. The Forward Firefighter, working together to save lives and protect property in our communities. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the individuals on this podcast do not represent the official policy, or position of any employers and organizations the speaker and participants are associated with.

  1. 39 - Your EV Fire Playbook: Tactics, Tools, and Lithium-Ion Safety with Paul Shoemaker

    3D AGO

    39 - Your EV Fire Playbook: Tactics, Tools, and Lithium-Ion Safety with Paul Shoemaker

    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.

    1h 3m
  2. 38 - Challenging Fireground Assumptions with Captain Nick Ledin.

    JAN 1

    38 - Challenging Fireground Assumptions with Captain Nick Ledin.

    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.

    49 min
  3. 37 - Volunteer Firefighting: It's a Family Affair

    12/04/2025

    37 - Volunteer Firefighting: It's a Family Affair

    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.

    55 min
  4. 36 - The Best of Us. Filmmaker Ben Cook and Chief Matt Boulding on the documentary featuring the Cornell Volunteer Fire Department

    11/06/2025

    36 - The Best of Us. Filmmaker Ben Cook and Chief Matt Boulding on the documentary featuring the Cornell Volunteer Fire Department

    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.

    49 min
  5. 35 - Masking Up With Your Gloves On: Beyond the Minimum with Captain Mike Bernard from Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department in Wisconsin

    10/02/2025

    35 - Masking Up With Your Gloves On: Beyond the Minimum with Captain Mike Bernard from Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department in Wisconsin

    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.

    1h 2m
  6. 34 - Firefighter Syndrome: Dr. Chris Frueh on Understanding the Cost and Finding the Solutions

    09/04/2025

    34 - Firefighter Syndrome: Dr. Chris Frueh on Understanding the Cost and Finding the Solutions

    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.

    52 min
  7. 33 - Mastering the Craft: Jeff Rothmeier on Tactics, Brotherhood, and the Firefighter Mindset

    08/07/2025

    33 - Mastering the Craft: Jeff Rothmeier on Tactics, Brotherhood, and the Firefighter Mindset

    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.

    1h 9m
  8. 32 - We Are All One Team: Assistant Chief April Hammond on Culture, Care, and Administrative Codes

    07/03/2025

    32 - We Are All One Team: Assistant Chief April Hammond on Culture, Care, and Administrative Codes

    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

    57 min
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About

Hello and welcome to The Forward Firefighter Podcast. Here, you can listen to discussions with volunteer firefighters in Wisconsin and across the nation - hear their stories, learn about the communities they serve, and what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter. The Forward Firefighter, working together to save lives and protect property in our communities. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the individuals on this podcast do not represent the official policy, or position of any employers and organizations the speaker and participants are associated with.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Retzlaff
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dan Retzlaff
  • Show Website
    The Forward Firefighter