Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

Steve Pope- 30 years of volunteer and career experience. A Captain on Quint 12 for Kansas City Kansas Fire Department. Steve is not shy on stating it wasn’t until a friend noticed something off that started a change in his trajectory for the better which was just not in the fire service but also his home life, himself and others around him. First Responder Golf Foundation grew from the Firefighter Golf to bring awareness to PTSD in the first responder professions. Steve who founded the organization desired a way to share his story and reach as many first responders as he could through the power of social media. Steve’s story is real and so is PTSD in the first responder fields. IG: firefighter_golf

10 years of volunteer and career experience. A back step Firefighter on 24 Engine with the DCFD and Chief Of Department for Marlboro VFD Company 20 in PG County. Kendall was definitely raised right and surrounded himself with individuals who wanted to see his full potential and it shows when you hear Kendall speak. From a young age he knew he wanted to be a Firefighter and the ultimate goal was DC which has now come to fruition. I throughly enjoyed hearing Kendall’s views on the fire service and hope you all do to. IG: trippykenny20

8 years of career experience. Currently a backstep FF for Nampa Fire Protection District in Idaho who occasionally rides as an acting Officer. Eric had dreams of pursuing a career in sports but sometimes things don’t always shape out as we would like but everything happens for a reason and the Fire service has gained what I would call a good one for sure with Eric. A man who believes in the mission and that we must train ourselves at being good at the basics before wanting to be better in specialty fields. IG: Firehouse_sc

28 years of volunteer and career experience. Fire Chief for North Myrtle Beach FD in South Carolina. Billy was exposed to the fire service at a young age being fortunate to watch and learn things from his father. As the head man in charge of his department the mentality and focused mission Chief has is paramount if you want to have a successful organization. Make no mistakes about it there is no perfect department out there but Chief Floyd realizes that you must put your people first and foremost through communication and transparency for a successful outcome. IG: lilchilly29582

17 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a FF2 on the back of Ladder 31 for the Charlotte Fire Department. Rusty is as humble as they come. A Fireman who just wants to be good at the job and doesn’t mind going out training, working out, trying to make those around him better and attending conferences outside his department. IG: crowntown_truckie

Founder of Honor Supply Co, Well known photographer in the South/North Carolina region along with many other states that conduct Firefighter conferences/lectures. Christian, father and husband. What you might not know is that Chance was career Firefighter back in 2017. If you want to know more about Chance, Honor Supply Co & the meaning behind his photographs I implore you to go and listen to Jeremy Donch’s National Fire Radio episode 326. Although Chance isn’t a Firefighter per say on the books he’s still able to go out ride trucks, visit stations, talk to the men and women of the fire service and capture the images we have all learned to love. IG: chancecraven

17 years of all career fire service experience. Currently a FF/Paramedic on Truck 202 for the Sierra Vista Fire Department in Arizona. Truth bomb, mic drops, nuggets and gems alert for the conversation Matt and I had. We didn’t even put a dent in the list of topics we wanted to talk about so I’m going to have Matt on again for a part 2. All I’m going to say is we all need to have Matt’s mindset when it comes to the job and all aspects of it. IG: az_mattyb132

18 years of volunteer and career experience. Currently a FF/Driver for Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District in Missouri and out of state live in for Berwyn Heights Company 14 in PG County Maryland. Justin gets a taste of both worlds where on one side he’s in the thicket of a densely populated busy suburban/urban area where it’s not uncommon to run 6 potential structural boxes in a day and on the other side is apart of a 6 station 10 personnel a shift 160 square miles of mainly rural area where mutual aid can be up to 10 minutes away. It’s all perspective and who you decide to surround yourself with if you want to be good out in the field. IG: fireman_levy & levysleatherllc

8 years of volunteer and career experience. A Engineer on Engine 16 with Columbia Fire Department in South Carolina. If you know Josh or follow him on social media he is a huge advocate for communication and fortifying a strong culture through leadership and not by rank. The conversation Josh and I had was a delight to say the least and I truly hope others can find value with our discussions. IG: joshusmc25

11 years of career experience. A backstep FF for North Port Fire/Rescue in Florida. Justin is in what he would call his second stint in within his fire service career. First and foremost he believes in a higher calling spiritually and the love for his family. What’s great about Justin’s story is his life experience and how he utilizes that within his daily life and when on shift. Justin believes FITNESS IS THE FOUNDATION for performing the job at a high level and for having LONGEVITY. IG: j_flagg

25 years of volunteer and career experience. A career FF/EMT for Guilford Fire Department in Connecticut who rides up as acting Officer when needed and an Assistant Chief with Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. Mike keeps in perspective during our conversation from giving members realistic training, having to do more with less, being a jack of all trades and wellness for the individual. Mike opened up on a few conversations some would not want to share but that’s what makes the fire service so great with the ability to being able to relate and learn from one another. IG: gfdperez

2 years of career experience. A backstep FF with the City Of Melbourne FD in Florida. Even though Zac’s young into his fire service career the individuals he looks up to, the one’s who were able to train him in recruit class, the ones he is able to work and train alongside now are one of the reasons why the fire service is in good hands. For any individual out there looking to get into the fire realm or anyone with the same or less amount of time Zac has listen to how this young man speaks and ask yourself why not me. IG: thezac_j

16 years of volunteer and career experience. An Engineer with a Metro Charleston Department who currently rides an Engine. There’s nothing complex about Pat. He’s a simple guy who loves going to fires, attending outside training conferences when possible, being around like minded individuals who take the job seriously and at the end of the day wants to go home to the one’s he loves and cares for most. IG: gaspartan43

8 years of career experience. A Master FF/Medic on Engine 10 with Virginia Beach fire department recently transferred to the training division. Matthew has a strong and I mean strong passion when it comes to Engine work, water mapping and the science of water application. Even though he only has 8 years on when you hear Matthew talk you’d think he’s been on the job longer than that. The discussions we have in this episode were simply amazing and truly hope the listeners gain a little bit of gems from it. IG: mrwuwu_

18 years of volunteer and career experience. A Captain on Ladder 301 for Summerville Fire/Rescue in South Carolina. Kevin shares an experience he had during his younger years when he thought as he describes “Being invincible” finally caught up to him. Fast forward years later as a company officer he gets a phone call that forever changed his life. Mental health is a very important topic for Kevin that he doesn’t take for granted and wants others to know the days of leaving your feelings at the door before coming into work should be past tense. IG: charlestonfences

6 years of career and volunteer experience. A Lieutenant with Garden City Fire/Rescue in Georgia assigned to Engine 201. Mike comes from an array of government work that ultimately led him to finding his path into the fire service. What’s truly remarkable about Mike is his sense of humility that although he is a company officer he doesn’t put himself above the rest of the individuals he works with. Yes he’s an Officer but still a Firefighter at heart that’s still learning and just wants to be “Out in the streets” doing Engine work. IG: mg_mm77

Nate Shuler- 17 years of career experience. A Lieutenant with the City Of Winder Fire Department where he is assigned on Engine 1. Bearers Of The Oath Cadre member who has formed a strong passion with everything Search. Nate was a Fireman who was afraid to get out of his comfort zone when it came to training until one day a co-worker invited him out to the MAFFC conference. After attending that one outside event it was game over and forever changed the way Nate viewed outside training and getting out of your own bubble to explore what the fire service truly is. IG: natethagreat207

22 years of volunteer and career experience. A recently promoted technician on Rescue Squad 3 for the DCFD. As Eric began his career deep down he always wanted to go and work for a metropolitan size department. In 2014 he took a leap of faith and applied for a lateral transfer and was accepted thus living the dream. Eric started out on the Engine but the ultimate goal was to be assigned to one of the 3 Squads in DC. There’s no secret that if you have a goal in mind and want to achieve it the work has to be put in point blank and Eric Budd is a true example of this. IG: huntinfishinfireman

20 years of career and volunteer experience. A floating Captain with Howard County Fire Rescue in Maryland. I was fortunate to be able to meet Josh at the 2024 Training Days in Greensboro a few weeks back where he presented a fantastic presentation on RIT/Mayday & being overall fit for duty. The conversation Josh and I had was very informative, insightful and should make us all think as Firefighters what we can do to improve and be better. But also the very real and true realities of the job when it comes to actually facing a mayday situation within our own department. IG: forged_and_unbroken_fire

Comes from a long line of volunteer Firefighters. 4th generation Firefighter with 18 years of volunteer and career experience becoming the first Career Firefighter within his family. Currently a Lieutenant with the City of Xenia Fire Division in Ohio. Cory believes strongly in outside training, transparency within respective crews and forming a positive culture within firehouses. Although we need Fire department leaders to be on board with certain changes in culture water boils from the bottom and in order to effect change we must first look within ourselves. IG: cstroup30