Firehouse

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 10: Chief Brian Helmick Discusses No Interior Attack Policy

Peter Matthews talks with East Contra Costa, CA, Fire Protection District Fire Chief Brian Helmick about the recent policy limited interior fire attacks at structure fires. Helmick called the policy the toughest decision in his 20-plus year career, stating the district's funding model, which has not changed since the 1970s, only allows for three engines to over 250 square miles and creates long response times. Find out what led to the decision and how Helmick is working to improve the district's budget and future plans.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 9: D.C. Fire PIO Vito Maggiolo

Peter Matthews talks with DC Fire and EMS Department Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo about his duties in Washington, D.C., where the media is always checking in. Maggiolo took the PIO position after retiring from a career at CNN where he covered everything from war and politics to natural disasters  and local fire stories. In Washington, the media is always contacting him for seemingly routine incidents that can turn into worldwide news. Find out how Maggiolo, who grew up in New York City during the FDNY's "War Years," carried his love of the fire service into a career covering one of the largest departments in the country. Follow DC Fire and EMS Department on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 7: Minneapolis Fire Chief on Fires, Riots

Peter Matthews talks with Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel about the response involving protests and riots following George Floyd's death. Fruetel explains what firefighters encountered as dozens of fires burned throughout the city, including tactics, situational awareness working with the National Guard and law enforcement and he shares tips for fire departments who may also encounter similar incidents. 

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 8: Firefighter Struck by Car Shares Details on Incident, Lengthy Recovery

Peter Matthews talks with Fort Worth, TX, firefighter Frank Becerra, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while working at a crash scene. Becerra, who was told he would not return to work, shares what he went through during his year-long recovery, a story about a second struck-by close call and thoughts on roadway safety.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 6: IL Preliminary Exposure Reduction Project

Peter Matthews talks with Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Director Royal Mortenson and Deputy Director of Research Programs Richard Kesler about the rollout of the state's Exposure Reduction Project. The program provides fire departments with training and equipment to decontaminate PPE on the fireground in the effort to battle firefighter cancer.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 5: IAFC’s Gary Ludwig & COVID 19 Need-to-Knows

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, who serves as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) about COVID-19 and the U.S. fire service.  Ludwig and IAFC staff have been working with the White House and others in Washington, D.C., to get relief funding for fire and EMS agencies, including CARES, FIRE Act and SAFER programs. The IAFC has worked with Amazon to create an exclusive membership to purchase urgently needed equipment. The IAFC is tracking firefighters who have been quarantined or tested positive for COVID-19 patients and the financial and operations impact of the pandemic on fire service budgets. Ludwig said the biggest commidity during the pandemic is information and the IAFC is compiling best practices to put together a guideline for the future. 

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 3: Maydays & More with Sean Eagen

Peter Matthews talks with Buffalo, NY, Fire Captain Sean Eagen about maydays. Within months, Eagen's former crew was involved in one mayday incident and Eagen himself called a mayday for a downed member and helped mitigate the incident. Eagen, who has over 20 years in the busy urban city of Buffalo, talks about the fire department and fire responses before detailing the two 2019 mayday incidents.  The two discuss what Eagen and the department did following the incidents, including crews conducting more mayday and rapid intervention training after the stark reminders off those maydays hit home. Eagen and John Hayowyk co-host The Thin Redline Podcast. You can follow Eagen on Twitter and contact him by email at seaneagenbfd@gmail.com.

Today on Firehouse: Ep. 4: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 for Firefighters

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews hosts a panel to explore the mental stress on firefighters during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss what needs to be done in the future. Guests include Jeff Dill, executive director of the Firefighter Behavorial Health Alliance (FBHA); Ryan Gallik from The Mental Hygiene Project; and Covington, GA, Fire Department Chief Jeremy Holmes and Capt. Jeremy Mathis. Mathis shares what happened after his crew came in contact with a COVID-19 patient, including the need to quarantine. Find out what the crew went through and what Mathis and Chief Holmes learned from the need to quarantine. Dill talks about the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on fire and EMS crews, including how stress, depression and PTSD can impact their lives at home and at the station. Gallik weighs in on the need for first responders to stay resilient, and the panel shares some signs to look out for with your colleagues, your family and yourself.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 2: Tom Dunne’s New FDNY Memoir

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with retired FDNY Deputy Chief Tom Dunne about his new book, "Notes from the Fireground: Memoir of a New York Firefighter." Dunne's book looks back on his 33-year career with FDNY, where he retired as a deputy chief. The two talk about various chapters of the book, from learning how to become a fire officer without formal training to navigating FDNY's busiest years and responding to historical incidents.  Following in his father's footsteps, Dunne became a second generation firefighter and worked in some of FDNY's busiest companies, which created the fodder for many of the stories he shares.

Today on Firehouse – Ep. 1: Behind the Fire Scene with John Salka

Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews talks with retired FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka Jr. in the inagural episode of Today on Firehouse. Matthews and Salka discuss how Salka develops his backpage "The Fire Scene" column each month for Firehouse Magazine, and Salka reflects on some of his most memorable columns. Salka also shares stories from his 30-plus years with FDNY, including assignments in Squad 1 and Rescue 3, plus his time as a battalion chief in The Bronx. Salka explains how FDNY's rescue companies evolved from firefighting crews to units equipped to handle a variety of technical rescue incidents. Salka also shares how he switched helmets from the busy FDNY assignments to his small town volunteer fire department, where the goals are the same but the means to carry them out vary greatly. Find all of Salka's "The Fire Scene" columns and other written pieces for Firehouse here.