The podcast for and about firefighters, "Code 3" covers topics of interest to those in the fire service, in about 20 minutes. We take one subject, one guest, and get it done. We don't waste your time.
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Today, we’re diving deep into fireground operations and functional strategy. Our focus is on how departments can adapt when dedicated truck companies are not available. When you need an effective, efficient, and safe coordinated fire attack, truck company operations aren't optional—they are an absolute necessity. But what happens when your department doesn't have dedicated truck companies in the…
Today, we are rethinking everything you know about fire ground size-up. Everyone has been taught standard acronyms like COAL WAS WEALTH. But that traditional method is often too complicated for a young firefighter or inexperienced officer with no background in building construction. Our guest today is here to share what he calls a system for success. He breaks down the vital difference between an…
How many times have you pulled up to a location, seen fire blowing out of the second-story windows, and thought, "There is no way anyone is alive in there?" Today’s guest argues that firefighters have been making that call far too early. And it’s often based on outdated campaigns and fear rather than real-world data. You took an oath to protect life. It is the driving force behind every decision…
You ever walk into *that* firehouse? You know the one. The crew is burnt out. They’ve given up on morale. And they’re constantly complaining that "Downtown" or "The Brass" have ruined the job. But my guest today argues that if your station’s culture is toxic, you shouldn't be looking at the Fire Chief for help... you should be looking in the mirror for solutions to your problems. Yep. The most…
There’s a lot of talk about "making the grab" in this job. But how often do you actually break down what went right when a rescue is successful? Not just the tools, but the mindset, the assignments, and the split-second decisions made in the first few minutes. After the high-fives and backslapping, it’s time to analyze how you did it. So you’ll do it right the next time, too. And to look at your…
We often talk about the fireground as a chaotic environment, because it is. But there is a tendency in the modern fire service to meet that chaos with complexity—adding more gadgets, more steps, and more theories to what is, at its heart, a simple physical battle. When the heat is high and visibility is zero, complexity is the enemy. It slows you down. And in this job, slow can be fatal—in fact,…
Do you know exactly how vertical ventilation works? Depending on your level of experience, you may think you do, but you still might not have a really solid understanding of why it works. Simply cutting a random 4x4-foot hole in the roof won't do the job in all cases. My guest today has a good deal of experience as a firefighter, but he admits that, until he saw a live fire test, he misunderstood…
If you spend any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with Curt Isakson. He has a massive presence on Facebook and about 6,000 followers. Chief Ike, as he’s also known, has had a 30-plus-year career in the fire service. He's also been an advocate for treatment of firefighters who sufFer from PTSD. So it was not a big surprise when Curt decided to enroll in the IAFF’s Center of Excellence…
When Bill Niemann joined the fire service in 1976, the landscape looked very different. This was a time of rubber boots, and riding the tailboard of the engine. SCBAs were the newest thing, and not everyone got to have one. When Bill Niemann joined the fire service in 1976, the landscape looked very different. This was a time of rubber boots, and riding the tailboard of the engine. SCBAs were the…
If you’re a member of a volunteer department, you’ve probably run into the problem of Incident Command. The issue is, who’s going to be the IC on a given fireground. Now, if your volunteer department is lucky enough to have career firefighters showing up to calls with you, the problem’s not so bad. Odds are, that career firefighter is going to be the one who takes command of the scene. But what if…
