The Firehouse Podcast

Recap of the Interschutz, The World’s Largest Fire Conference – Kristopher Blume

Chief Kristopher Blume joins Peter Matthews to reflect on what products and innovations he saw while attending the largest firefighter conference in the world, Interschutz, earlier this month in Germany. From robots and apparatus to PPE and training equipment, Blume explains the difference between Interschutz and shows in the U.S.
Blume explains how technology filled many of the exhibit halls at the week-long conference, displaying robotics, software and how the Europeans view the use artificial intelligence for the fire service now and in the future. Blume also saw a variety of PPE innovations, rigs and other equipment being used by firefighters in other countries.
In a variety of classrooms, Blume engaged in conversations with members of the fire service from around the world and shares what their priorities are while he also highlights some of the unique and awe-inspiring hands-on training that they offer.
Related links:
Kristopher Blume Firehouse.com biography and articles
Interschutz

Beyond the Bugles: Leadership from the Lens of the Pearland, TX, Fire Department

Chief Jacob Johnson gets to accomplish a dream of truly putting fire department members on the map by interviewing one of his own from the Pearland, TX, Fire Department, Chief Shane Bridges. The two discuss culture, mentorship and leadership from the lens of their own department. 

Inside the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation – Michael Hildebrand

Peter Matthews is joined by Michael Hildebrand, who sits on the board of directors for the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation, which honors the legacy of Prince George’s County firefighter Jim Yvorra, who died in the line of duty in 1988. 
Hildebrand recalled his longtime friendship with Yvorra and his dedication to the fire service by being an active member and book publisher in the areas of EMS, hazardous materials, operations and leadership. After his death, the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation was launched to provide scholarships to those whose goal was to promote leadership development in the U.S. fire service. Since 1989, nearly 150 scholarships have been awarded to active members of the fire service who have crafted impactful essays in their response  
Hildebrand details the process to submit and the various resources available to applicants, including the top attributes of the scholarship recipients. They have also made available the Chief Alan Brunacini Special Project on Leadership, which provides a large award for an ongoing project to improve the fire service. 
Related links: 
Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation 
Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation Awards and Scholarships 
Jim Yvorra’s National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Role of Honor page 
Robert Burke’s Tribute to Ludwig Benner 
Texas HEAT
Texas HEAT Hazardous Materials Education and Training Scholarships

Leadership and Life Lessons from the Marines, The Citadel – Thomas Gordon

Peter Matthews talks with past FireFusion keynote speaker Thomas J. Gordon, who completed a 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, about leadership, resilience and his book, Marine Maxims, Turning Leadership Principals into Practice.” 
After his military career, Gordon returned to his alma mater, The Citadel, to serve as the Commandant of Cadets and shares stories of developing leaders from a young age, including how the school coaches students in decision-making and provides them with the tools they need to be successful in life.  
Gordon details some of the military maxims he wrote about his in book, including the pathway to making decisions, the chain of command and character development. He also reflects on what he calls his greatest failure in the Marines and how that shaped the remainder of his career.  
Related links: 
Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles into Practice 
Marine Maxims 
FireFusion 2025: Military Leadership Principles for Today's Fire Officers 
The Citadel 

Beyond the Bugles: It Comes Down to Legacy and Trust

Beyond the Bugles host and chief for the Pearland, TX, Fire Department Jacob Johnson interviews one of his best friends and mentors, Mark Campise, who is the chief of the Sugar Land, TX, Fire Department. They dive off into all kinds of subjects that they have encountered together over the last 23 years together. The conversation reaches depths of more than just chief talk, as they discuss real life, on the job, different situations and how to come out on the winning end. 

How the Fire Service Psychology Association is Leading Efforts in Firehouses

Retired chief Robert Avsec and Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski, who work with the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), dive into the topics of firefighter mental health and psychology as part of the annual Mental Health Awareness Month. Avsec relates firefighter mental health support for firefighters like hazmat responses, with four levels of resources, which was the basis of a report he wrote and helped guide the organization of the FSPA. 
From the awareness level, where the topic of mental health is no longer taboo in most firehouses, to offering peer support, up to have properly trained clinicians who can assist firefighters in a variety scenarios, from responses during their careers to family/home life or other factors that can stack up.  
Dr. Hejmanowski, an experienced clinician for military and public safety responders, looks at the various resources available to firefighters and what they need to know as they navigate the process as a helper who is seeking guidance themselves. The two explain the ongoing outreach by FSPA as they work toward a goal of supporting departments across the country.  
Related links: 
Robert Avsec’s full bio
Dr. Tracy S. Hejmanowski
Fire Service Psychology Association
A Comparison Between HazMat Response Levels for Firefighters and Mental Health Clinician Scopes of Practice
9th Annual Fire Service Psychology Conference
First Responder Project
Halfway There: A Generational Shift in Firefighter Mental Health
The Firehouse Yak: David Griffin – Retirement and Lessons from the Hardest Days
The Favor Strategy: Reframing How to Help Firefighters in Emotional or Mental Distress
The Brotherhood Barrier: How Group Bonding Shapes First Responder Attitudes Toward Treating Mental Health
Firefighters' Mental Health Is Aided When Departments Plan for Major Incidents 

Retirement and Lessons from the Hardest Days – David Griffin

Dr. David Griffin reflects on his 21-year career with the Charleston, SC, Fire Department before as he entered retirement. Griffin talks about the profound impact on his career when he lost nine colleagues at the Sofa Super Store Fire and endured the loss of firefighters from suicide and health-related issues, with a look at leadership and fire service culture.
Griffin shares the short- and long-term impacts from his response as the first-due engine driver to the Sofa Super Store Fire and what has changed in Charleston Fire Department over the nearly two decades since the tragedy.
During the latter half of his career, Griffin focused on mental health and resiliency at a time where the fire service is encountering turnover while supporting the needs of the members for the duration of their careers and afterwards. Griffin, who serves as Firehouse’s Leadership Lessons columnist, also talks about the need for strong leadership and how that makes a difference in the success of today’s fire departments.
Related links:
Dr. David Griffin Website
Dr. David Griffin’s Firehouse.com biography and content page

Beyond the Bugles: Leadership Is More Than a Title

Chief Jacob Johnson is joined by Fire Chief Les Stephens, of the San Marcos, TX, Fire Department, on the new episode of Beyond the Bugles. Understanding that leadership goes further than the title in the fire service, the two discuss integrity, accountability and love of the job.

Finding Your Identity in the Firehouse – Tyler Whittredge

Peter Matthews is joined by Saratoga Springs, NY, firefighter Tyler Whittredge to talk about firefighters’ finding their identities in the station, accountability and what makes a good firefighter. 
Whittredge explains what he’s observed when it comes to members find their personality in a job full of Type-A personalities and how members can build each other through their strengths. Part of the process, Whittredge says, is by crews holding each other accountable on and off the fireground. 
Whittredge talks about his time as a bunk-in firefighters near Syracuse, NY, and what led him to write the article, “What Makes a Good Firefighter?” which was published on Firehouse.com earlier this month. Focusing on that article, Whittredge explains what the “it” is that makes a firefighter a solid member of the crew, plus a discussion on personality vs. mentality. 
Related links: 
Tyler Whittredge Firehouse.com bio and contributor page 
What Makes a Good Firefighter?  

Station Design Conference 2026 Preview – Janet Wilmoth, Mike Scott, Patrick Stone

Station Design Conference Director Janet Wilmoth and architects Mike Scott and Patrick Stone discuss this year’s conference, which takes place in May in Reno, NV. Peter Matthews digs into their sessions, asks what’s new at the public safety facility design conference and what they suggest attendees do to get the most out of the conference.  
Janet Wilmoth offers highlights from around the conference, including new topics and trends that a variety of speakers will cover, along with the need for collaboration with other public safety agencies for training and operations facilities. Patrick Stone from H2M architects + engineers, who is also a firefighter, previews his sessions on next-generation public safety facilities and how that will impact buildings in the future, plus a look at why designing a station requires a lot of questions to be asked, like the design of a new fire apparatus. Mike Scott, with RRM Design, talks about critical need for programming, which is the first step of laying out needs and plans for a fire station. 
Both architects, who are veterans of the Station Design Conference, explain how the event fosters a collaborative effort between architects, service providers, builders and attendees to build the facility properly the first time and how attendees can return home ready to start the process.  
Related links: 
Station Design Conference
Janet Wilmoth’s Firehouse Contributor Page
Mike Scott’s Firehouse Contributor Page
Patrick O. Stone’s Firehouse Contributor Page
Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award