Better Every Shift

FireRescue1

FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.

  1. 2 days ago

    How to build company drills from NIOSH reports

    You’ve probably read — or at least skimmed — a NIOSH firefighter fatality report, but do you know what to do with it? Or how it came to be? Wesley Attwood, a senior investigator with NIOSH’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, explains how departments request an investigation, what investigators examine and why the process is voluntary, independent and nonpunitive. He also clears up some common misconceptions, including that NIOSH investigates every line-of-duty death and that the program only reviews fatalities. More importantly, Attwood brings the reports down to the company level, showing how the condensed report slides can fuel a five-minute drill, preplan discussion or Main Street size-up. He also highlights recurring lessons involving fire dynamics, staffing, communication, medical evaluations and psychological safety. The takeaway: Don’t let these reports go missing in a sea of browser tabs. Put them to work before the same concerns show up on another fireground. Additional resources: NIOSH seeks firefighter input on LODD, serious injury investigations Learning from serious injuries: NIOSH updates guidelines for investigation requests FireRescue1 NIOSH news and resources This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  2. 23 Jul

    Your tone is your leadership

    You can be absolutely right and still lose the room — all because of your tone. Drawing from personal experience, Zam shares four practical lessons for saying what you mean, with respect. Whether you're leading a company, mentoring a probationary firefighter or challenging a policy you disagree with, this episode is a reminder that leadership isn't just about what you say — it's how you say it. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  3. 16 Jul

    Today's fires demand a hazmat mindset

    The next hazmat challenge probably isn't coming — it's already in your first-due. Mesa Fire and Medical Department Captain Jim Barnhart has spent years studying lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaics and emerging energy systems, and he makes the case that firefighters need to stop treating these incidents as rare exceptions. Using the recent Los Angeles Boyle Heights cold storage fire as a launching point, Barnhart explains how solar arrays, battery storage and evolving building technology are creating longer, more complex and less predictable incidents. But this isn't a conversation about fear. It's about preparation. From improving size-up and preplans to finding credible training and asking a simple question — "Is the power really off?" — Barnhart offers practical guidance for departments of every size. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  4. 9 Jul

    Inside the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service with Chief Fennessy

    “Why do we have all of these fire agencies?” It’s a question many in the wildland world have asked for years — and Chief Brian Fennessy is now in position to do something about it. The director of the newly created U.S. Wildland Fire Service explains what it means to build an entirely new federal fire organization from the ground up and why the mission extends far beyond changing patches and organizational charts. Fennessy discusses unifying federal wildland agencies, creating a true firefighter-first culture, reducing bureaucracy and giving fire leaders the authority to make faster operational decisions. He also explains why prevention, fuels management, firefighter wellness and stronger communication with the public are just as critical as suppression. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  5. 2 Jul

    Cold storage close call

    One routine smoke investigation. Ten minutes later, a cold storage building erupted around Firefighter Andrew Klein. This week, we’re revisiting the harrowing close call that nearly ended Klein’s career. Klein walks through the fireground decisions, details the hidden danger of a cold storage building packed with spray foam insulation, and recalls the moment his PPE became the only thing standing between him and catastrophic injury. He also shares the emotional aftermath of believing fellow firefighters had been killed and how he’s managed his mental health since the incident. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  6. 25 Jun

    Your post-call reset starts here

    “Pain sucks,” as Zam puts it — and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Dr. Bita Shahidi, a physical therapist who has worked with firefighters and professional athletes, explains why the aches and pains firefighters push through during their careers often become the injuries that define retirement. She urges firefighters to approach their bodies like tactical athletes, with regular movement screenings, mobility work and recovery built into the job — instead of waiting until something breaks. Shahidi also shares a simple three-minute mobility routine, explains why sleep and breathing matter as much as strength training, and makes the case for treating small pains before they become surgeries. The takeaway is straightforward: A few minutes of maintenance today can help you perform better now and enjoy retirement without paying for decades of ignored wear and tear. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  7. 11 Jun

    NERIS: Everybody calm down already

    “Everybody just calm down about NERIS.” That’s Zam’s charge to Misfit Nation this week as he speaks with NERIS lead developer Craig Weinschenk. The conversation goes beyond software updates and reporting requirements to explore how the fire service can finally quantify rescues, identify emerging risks and make a stronger case for the resources it needs. As director of research for the Fire Safety Research Institute, Weinschenk stepped away from fire behavior research to help lead one of the most ambitious modernization projects the fire service has tackled in decades. With millions of records already flowing into the system and 30,000-plus U.S. fire departments in the system, NERIS is moving from rollout mode to something much bigger. Weinschenk addresses the feedback and misconceptions surrounding the platform while explaining how firefighter input is already shaping future updates. He also shares his vision for using NERIS data to identify response trends, track emerging hazards, better document rescues and provide departments with information they can use to improve operations and advocate for resources. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

  8. 4 Jun

    The grant clock is ticking

    AFG, SAFER, and Fire Prevention and Safety grants are open — and the clock is already ticking toward the June 22 deadline. For Lexipol grant specialist Jane Prescott, it's the fire service equivalent of the Super Bowl: Hundreds of millions of dollars in available funding, a compressed application window and departments across the country scrambling to get their requests submitted. Prescott joins Zam and Fire Chief Jason Caughey to cut through some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding federal grants, including who is really competitive, how peer reviewers evaluate applications and why departments should focus on telling an honest story instead of submitting a wish list. They also spotlight often-overlooked opportunities like FEMA's microgrant program, which can help departments secure funding for high-priority needs without pursuing a larger-scale project. Whether you're writing the grant, supporting the process or simply wondering why your department isn't pursuing funding opportunities, this discussion offers a practical roadmap for turning need into a competitive application before this year's window closes. Resources: Federal grants open: AFG (equipment), SAFER (staffing), Fire Prevention & Safety FireRescue1 Fire Grant Center: Find grant-related news, funding opportunity updates, application guidance, expert grant-writing resources and educational content. GrantFinder: Learn how to navigate the grant process end to end, so you can win more funding for the equipment, staffing and programs your team depends on. Contact our team. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.

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About

FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.

Information

  • Creator
    FireRescue1
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    315
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Better Every Shift

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