The Podcast

Hey Everyone,

When I first joined my Fire Department, we were a lot smaller and the Senior Firefighter on the truck with me for my first shift had been on longer than I had been alive. Outside of what he and many others taught me about the job, he recommended that I start a journal of all the calls and happenings around the hall so that one day I'd have the makings of a book. He was right, but unfortunately, of all the things I heeded and applied, that wasn't one of them. The point is, that there are stories to tell and we all carry them; about us as individuals, as crews, as platoons, and as a Department. The wisdom and instruction about how to do the job are crucial, but the experiences and stories also help to shape our character and our Fire Family as a whole. Stories are important. Through story-telling, we find comfort in what connects us and expand our minds through our differences. 

I've come late to the party when it comes to podcasts. A move in the summer of 2017 that involved an hour-plus commute, opened up the opportunity to fill that time with quality content. I've been inspired by several podcasts, and have listed the fire-related ones in the Resources section along with books, Facebook pages, websites, literature, and videos. You can also find a running list of those in the Fire Service at large who deserve our respect and acknowledgment for their efforts to keep us grounded and progressing, in the ‘Credits’ section. Please message me if you want me to add someone. 

We get to know each other very well in this line of work. From all that we experience together, we create strong bonds, and we use significant words like Family and Brotherhood to describe those relationships. As shift schedules, generations, where we choose to live, our societal norms, and the size of our departments change, our view of the importance and tradition of the Fire Service Family and Brotherhood can be challenged, strained, and at risk of being lost. This would be incredibly sad, tragic, and detrimental. We should continue to invest in each other by learning and participating in each other's stories. 

This podcast came about because I wanted to provide a conduit for the great people within my department and others to tell their stories. We will be talking about the how and why of each guest's journey to the job, what challenges they have faced overall and how they made it through them, the struggles they see for our service, their ideas on how each of us can help honour and progress the job, and what keeps them inspired and motivated. You will be getting to know this job and your family better. 

‘Multiple calls’ is a phrase that catches a Firefighter's attention because it signifies a strong possibility that what we are responding to is legitimate and will require us to be at our best. It is also what experience is made of. We will be at our best to capture your attention with legitimate stories and enrich your experience of this unique and amazing job.

Much Love,

Scott