Peter Matthews talks with Andy Starnes about the importance of each person having a personal board of directors who they can reach out to and seek advice from throughout their lives. Starnes stresses why this board is just as important for decisions within the fire service as it is at home and with your family.

While Starnes is known around the world for his efforts to educate firefighters on thermal imaging, this episode focuses on the human side of the firefighter and ensuring members make the right decisions, influenced by trusted friends and advisors. Starnes shares where the concept of the board came from, how to seek out the people you want on your board and how the two-way relationship works.

Listen for advice on how to be a better friend, colleague, firefighter and family member and for tips on how to pull through the tough times.

Resources

• Insight Training, LLC
• Kill the Flashover
• The Traveler’s Gift
• Station Design Conference
• FireFusion

Peter Matthews talks with Mike Wisko, the Agency Chief of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) about their role in ensuring firefighter training and equipment and member safety throughout the state’s career fire departments.

The two talk about the annual TCFP Firefighter Injury Reports that are mandated training in the state, and some of the trends TCFP has found, including an overall reduction in fireground injuries but an increase in firefighters being burned, plus injuries at the fire that are on the rise.

Wisko discusses their policies on PPE and what the impact on non-compliant equipment is on the firefighters and their families. He also shares how the state ensures mandatory training is taking place and the process in which they determine the baseline for annual CE training, plus the at look at the future of the TCFP.

Resources

• Texas Commission on Fire Protection
• TCFP Annual Injury Reports

Peter Matthews talks with Jake Ryks, a St. Paul, MN, firefighter who was just named Minnesota’s Firefighter of the Year, along with Mason Conlin, for their efforts to rescue seven people from an early morning house fire. Ryks credits ongoing training and the desire to know your job with the herculean rescue and medical treatment efforts by firefighters at the Jan. 3, 2024 house fire.

Ryks, who was working in another company that shift, takes you step-by-step through the response, arrival and rescue efforts by St. Paul firefighters and explains why continued training played a pivotal role in decision-making that morning.

He also talks about becoming a trainer on hazardous materials, his work with The Haz Mat Guys and his new podcast launch, Hazard Class, in which he talks with firefighters on a variety of topics.

Resources

The Haz Mat Guys Hazard Class Podcast

All Things Hazard Class

‘Can’t thank you enough’: St. Paul firefighters who saved kids from house fire receive awards

‘Humbling beyond words’: St. Paul firefighters open up about fire

This Month in Fire History – December