National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Episode 39 features Brett Dugas and his girls. Pip slid into his DM’s after his brother-in-law shared one of Brett’s dog videos on IG. Brett has been putting out videos of his two dogs and occasionally his girlfriend for 2 years now. His success is evident by the number of views, comments and likes each video gets. Pip and Brett talk about social media, the fire service, the dogs and even share a cat story or two. This episode is filled with laughs and lessons about life in general. Some that will even have you asking yourself, What's My Size Up???

Pulling a woman from her burning home in June 2019 thrusted Danny Dwyer into the national headlines for weeks after this fire. One would think that the spotlight was for his heroics and bravery, but in fact, it was for the disciplinary charges that followed that evening. Danny became the "poster child" for the ongoing struggle between firefighters doing their job and the new "safety culture" that has crept into our departments. He performed the way the public blindly expects us to - to provide safety and protection in their worst moments. From this, the "Danny Would Go" movement swept across the American Fire Service. People taking each side of the argument, but where was Danny during all of this commotion?? He was dealing with the fall out and the pressures of being thrusted into a national debate. This wasn't the easiest for Danny and his family but one thing is for sure, he never surrendered his conviction and belief that he performed in the very best traditions of the fire service that night. Danny did go, and he would go again, and again, and again. Staying true and believing in himself, he left the City of Atlanta to focus more on himself and his family. He now rides with a new jurisdiction and he is more excited about the job than ever. He struggled along the way but he found the way back to loving the job and being vindicated by the commission three years later. Life continues to move forward for Danny and he is in a place today where he can influence change. Those principles that let him down back in 2019 will never factor into his mentoring and he'll be dammed to let the public or his people down like he was let down years ago. Danny continues to Go. He doesn't know any other way...

Jeremy spoke at the recent Fire Truck Training Conference hosted by the REV Group in Lansing, Michigan. This keynote address was geared towards the mechanics and shop personnel who constantly work at keeping our apparatus on the road. Like firefighters, the crews from fleet maintenance work hard at continuing their education and learning from the best in the business. The FTTC is a top shelf conference offering education, training and certification to mechanics across the country for the last 25 years.

In Mike Lydon's words, he's a "Self Made Jake." Boston is a big, little city where generational firefighters are commonplace. He didn't have any family on the job nor did he even know that was his future until coming home from Iraq, getting married and having a child. It focused Mike on the importance of a solid foundation and a stable life. Mike's upbringing in his Irish Boston home set him on the path like so many from his city, military and then, the fire department. 22 years later, he is a 1st Sgt. with the Army as well as a 10 year member of the Boston Fire Department. He is currently assigned to Rescue Co. 1 and a member of the departments' Dive Team. He has grown a passion for the tech rescue side of the job and continues to push himself each day to learn the craft. Mike has a discipline about himself that he has had from his early military days. Always strive to take the next guys position... meaning, put in the work, study and do what it takes to constantly move up the line. He is quite content to remain a "blue shirt" but his quest for knowledge and skills continues to push him forward. Take five minutes each tour and talk to the next guy is important to Mike and he tries to live that each tour. This episode is powerful and the message will resonate with so many.

Episode 38 is Not a Marriage podcast, even though Pip’s guest is his wife, Tracey Piparo aka Mrs. Pip. Now, that's not to say they don’t talk about marriage, but it’s just not the topic they set out to talk about. It’s hard for two married people to avoid the topic . You can jump back to hear us talk on Episode 8 as well. Today’s main topic is Mrs. Pip’s professional as a palliative care PA. She talks about normalizing death and dying. It’s not exactly a topic most people even know they should learn about. But like she says, we are all going to die, so at least be prepared. She explains the palliative care system and some very simple steps we can all take to be ready. Trust me, this topic makes you ask yourself that question for sure. What’s My Size Up???

This keynote was given at the FEMSA FAMA conference in New Orleans in September 2023. FEMSA, the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association and FAMA, the Fire Apparatus Manufacturer's Association meet each year to share ideas, work on projects and to help shape the future of the fire service. This keynote, "A Work in Progress". tells about the NFR story, our journey and then shifts focus on the marketing and media side of business.

Jeremy had a chance to sit down with Joe Minogue, the liaison to the FDNY for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at this years' NJ Firefighter's Convention in Wildwood, NJ. Joe is a retired Lt. with the FDNY and was the Commanding Officer for the FDNY Ceremonial Unit. His devotion to preserving the legacy of those that have fallen drives Joe to be an active member of the NFFF team. This interview was hosted in the Fire and Safety Services exhibit space during the conference. Fire and Safety Services is a long standing supporter of the NFFF and their partnership has been strong for a very long time. The importance of the Foundation cannot be stressed enough and we all need to do more to preserve this great organization so that the memories of those that have passed in the line of duty will forever be remembered. Please check out www.firehero.org for more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Towards the end of our trip in Port Chester, NY, Jeremy had the chance to sit down with a bunch of the guys to talk shop over a cigar. Best of all, it was at the place where all the firehouse problems can be solved: The Kitchen Table.

For 2 guys from Jersey, we spend a great deal of time chatting it up about Colorado. Episode 37 features Rob Policht from Flow and Vent. Rob and Pip spend a great deal of time talking about growth. Whether it be their own, in the firehouse, as parents and basically people. The share the knowledge they have gained in the fire world and business world. Relating everyday topics to who they are both trying to live their lives. And of course asking each other that question. What’s Your Size Up?????

Jeremy sits down with editor Seb and co-host Pip of The Size Up to talk about their recent trip out to Maui to research more about the devastation in the wake of the wildfires. A huge shoutout and thank you to Shane Furata and Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett for making this all happen. It was truly an unforgettable experience and we look forward to bringing the community more information and content about our time there.