Prepared To Fight Fire Podcast

Send us Fan MailWhen today’s guest took his first firefighter exam, 600 people were competing for two jobs. Both guys who got hired had just gotten out of the Navy. So he made a plan. He’d serve five years, come home, and work his way through fire school, medic school, and nursing school. And that’s exactly what he did.Today, Nicholas Fischer he’s a battalion chief with 22 years in the fire service, a critical care nurse, a Navy veteran who served with a Marine infantry unit, and a husband and father of five.

Send us Fan MailThree best friends. Three different ranks.In this episode, I sit down in New York City with two of my best friends: Captain  Chahine, who has been a firefighter alongside me for 13 years, and Driver Engineer  Petithomme, who has served for 12 years. As a firefighter with 13 years on the job myself, we each bring a different perspective and a lot of shared history to the conversation.We talk about failure, our experiences on the job, the brotherhood, and life beyond the firehouse. It’s an honest conversation about what we’ve learned along the way and the friendships that have been part of it.If you’re in the fire service, working toward it, or simply value a real conversation between longtime friends, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Chief Freddie, a decorated fire service leader with over 31 years in the City of Miami Department of Fire Rescue. From his early days as a firefighter-paramedic to serving as Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, Freddie’s career is defined by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to training the next generation. He’s played a key role in major city projects, developed strategies to modernize Miami Fire Rescue, and has trained thousands of firefighters across the country. Tune in as Chief Freddie shares lessons on leadership, service, and the lifelong pursuit of excellence in the fire service.

Send us Fan MailIn this engaging conversation, Frankie shares his transformative journey from living an average life to embracing a mindset of excellence. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to flip the switch in his life, the importance of commitment to change, and the value of patience in achieving long-term goals. The discussion also delves into his evolution as a runner, highlighting how he overcame initial reluctance and developed a passion for the sport. Throughout the conversation, Frankie emphasizes the mental benefits of running and the importance of facing challenges head-on, ultimately finding solace in the process of movement.

Send us Fan MailJustin Burch is a career firefighter with 9 years on the job, currently serving with Oak Ridge Fire Department. Cutting his teeth in the fire service after a 10 year career as a Professional Chef. Outside of the firehouse he’s a certified Nutrition Coach, helping firefighters build sustainable eating habits, so they can perform better both on and off the job. A graduate of both the Georgia Smoke Diver Program, and Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S., he is an advocate for education around firefighter health and wellness.In this conversation, Justin Burch shares his unique journey from being a classically trained chef to becoming a firefighter and nutrition coach. He discusses the importance of nutrition in the fire service, the cultural resistance to dietary changes, and practical approaches to meal planning. Justin emphasizes the significance of understanding macros and calories, coaching strategies for firefighters, and the role of mentorship in personal growth. He also reflects on the challenges of training for smoke diver programs and the reality of firefighter training, concluding with insights about his initiative, Fire Bytes, which merges culinary skills with nutrition coaching.

Send us Fan MailChief Chris Tennyson has spent 25 years in the fire service, shaping the culture of training, resilience, and leadership. From contracting in Iraq to serving with the Charleston Fire Department and now as Deputy Chief of Training at Summerville Fire-Rescue, Chris has dedicated his career to raising the standard for firefighters. A Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S. and Smoke Diver graduate, FDIC HOT Instructor, and passionate advocate for mental health.In this episode, Chief Chris Tennyson shares his 25-year journey in the fire service, highlighting the impact of programs like Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S. and Smoke Diver. He opens up about resilience, leadership, and mental health—calling firefighters to push their limits, support one another, and uphold the highest standards of the profession.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Eric Haskins shares his unique journey from a professional snowboarder to a dedicated firefighter. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the transformative experience of the Smoke Divers program, and the value of building confidence through adversity. The conversation emphasizes the significance of leading by example, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and mastering the basics to achieve professionalism in the fire service.Eric Haskins is a Senior Firefighter and Acting Captain with Nampa Fire, Idaho’s first Georgia Smoke Diver, and founder of Firehouse Strength & Conditioning. A former U.S. Project Gold snowboarder and Boise State hockey captain, he’s now a leading voice in firefighter fitness, co-creator of the Firefighter Physical Fitness Test, and host of the Firehouse S&C Podcast.follow Eric on instagram @firehouse_sc

Send us Fan Mail"No one is built different; the real difference comes down to the daily decisions we make. Talent isn’t the key. Discipline, choice, and consistent action are. This podcast is about helping you make better decisions that change your life."

Send us Fan MailIn this engaging conversation, Chief Frank Malta discusses the importance of physical fitness, leadership, and mentorship within the fire service. He reflects on his personal journey, the evolution of training standards, and the critical role of setting a positive example for new recruits. Our conversation emphasizes the need for continuous personal growth, accountability, and the impact of fitness on mental resilience, ultimately inspiring a culture of excellence in the fire department.Frank Malta is a 25 year member of the fire service, and is a Battalion Chief in the Frederick County (MD) Division of Fire and Rescue Services. Frank is a Maryland State Rescue Instructor as well as a member of the Combat Ready Fire Training team. Frank is the Chief of Frederick County’s Training Academy and as part of his duties oversees one of, if not the hardest, fire academies in the State of Maryland, where teamwork, attention to detail, and a refusal to quit are the foundational principles to building highly motivated, smartly disciplined, and basically trained firefighters.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I discuss the realities of becoming a firefighter, emphasizing the importance of understanding the profession's demands. The conversation covers the foundational elements necessary for success, including physical fitness, mental resilience, and proper nutrition. I stress the expectations placed on firefighters and the need for thorough preparation to meet those expectations. Ultimately, the episode serves as a guide for aspiring firefighters to assess their readiness and commitment to the profession.IF YOUR'E NOT READY MESSAGE ME ON INSTAGRAM "READY" AND LETS CHANGE THAT.