In Episode 69, Matt and Austin explore how real-world experience, hard calls, mentorship, and recognizing what you don't know can shape the way firefighters train and make decisions.

They discuss the experiences that influenced Austin's approach to the fire service, along with stress response, cognitive load, skill acquisition, and the progression from mechanics to consistency to intensity.

A conversation about learning from experience and building better training methodologies for performance under stress.

69. How Experience Shapes the Way We Train and Make Decisions

What does it take to become an Indiana Smoke Diver?

In Episode 68, Chris Bauchle and Austin Perry sit down with Corey Gotay to talk about choosing discomfort, pursuing excellence, and refusing to settle for average in the fire service.

Corey began his career with the 128th Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2020 and quickly developed a reputation for pushing himself beyond the standard. After becoming the Top Graduate of the DoD Firefighter Rescue & Survival (FRAS) Course in 2023-where he also set the course record for the air consumption drill-he continued chasing growth by earning the title of Indiana Smoke Diver in 2024.

Now serving as a civilian firefighter in Wisconsin, Corey shares the mindset behind constantly seeking challenge and putting himself in difficult environments to grow.

Listen now on FireDawg.us or wherever you get your podcasts.

68. Chasing Growth & Becoming An Indiana Smoke Diver - Corey Gotay

In this episode of The FireDawg Podcast, we sit down with Kim Jolly, CEO of AOS Services Inc., to discuss the critical role equipment testing, maintenance, and compliance play in keeping fire departments operational and mission ready.

With more than 30 years of experience, Kim shares how AOS supports fire departments and military installations worldwide through specialized services including SCBA testing, hose testing, hydrostatic testing, fire trainer inspections, and comprehensive equipment maintenance.

We dive into why proper certification matters, the value of expert technicians, how departments can maximize equipment lifespan, and what fire chiefs should know when balancing compliance, readiness, and budget constraints.

Whether you’re a firefighter, officer, or fire service leader, this conversation offers valuable insight into the systems and services working behind the scenes to ensure your equipment performs when it matters most.

In this episode, we cover:
• Fire equipment testing and NFPA compliance
• SCBA, hose, and hydrostatic testing requirements
• The importance of specialized technicians
• Fire trainer inspections and maintenance
• Extending equipment lifecycle and maximizing value
• Best practices for fire department readiness

67. Keeping Fire Departments Equipment Compliant & Mission Ready - Kim Jolley, CEO, AOS Services, Inc.

In Episode 66 , Matt sits down with Flip Griffin. Flip’s journey spans from Navy corpsman to Search and Rescue professional, ultimately serving as a Command Master Chief—one of the highest enlisted leadership roles in the Navy—before transitioning into fire service leadership consulting.

This conversation dives into the realities of Naval Search and Rescue, the scope of military medical and aviation support, and the leadership responsibilities that come with operating in complex, mission-driven environments. Flip shares how his experiences shaped his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the critical role of communication, accountability, and structured systems in building effective teams.

Matt and Flip also explore the transition from military service to consulting, discussing the creation of leadership frameworks and how those principles apply directly to the fire service. From generational challenges to organizational culture, this episode provides actionable insights for leaders at every level.

Whether you’re in the fire service, military, or leading in any capacity, this episode offers practical takeaways on building stronger systems, developing people, and leading with purpose.

66. U.S. Navy Search & Rescue, Leadership, & Fire Service Leadership Consulting - CMDCM (ret) Flip Griffin

In 1977, the Honda Canyon Fire swept across Vandenberg Air Force Base—now Vandenberg Space Force Base—becoming one of the most significant wildfires in the installation’s history and reshaping how the department approached wildland firefighting.

Nearly four decades later, the 2016 Canyon Fire once again challenged the installation, reminding firefighters how complex a wildfire at Vandenberg can become. During the incident, crews faced challenging conditions and a dangerous situation that ultimately resulted in a fire shelter deployment.

In this episode of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt sits down with Chief Mark Smith, who has served at Vandenberg since the early 1990s and has spent years studying and briefing these fires.

Together they discuss:

• The wildland fire environment at Vandenberg
• The events of the 1977 Honda Canyon Fire
• The creation of Vandenberg’s Hotshot program
• The 2016 Canyon Fire and shelter deployment
• Lessons learned that still apply today

65. Lessons from the 1977 Honda Canyon Fire & the 2016 Canyon Fire at Vandenberg AFB - Mark Smith

What does it really mean to be ready?

In this episode of The FireDawg Podcast, we explore the moments that test more than skill — they test judgment. The moments when your training is pushed, policy isn’t perfectly clear, and culture either empowers you… or makes you hesitate.

Our guest, Terrell Thomas, a nearly 20-year Air Force leader with experience spanning operational response and executive leadership, shares powerful response stories from his career. Together, we discuss autonomy on scene, deviation from SOPs, organizational accountability, and how leaders build firefighters who are prepared for the moment of truth.

Because readiness isn’t proven in routine calls.
It’s proven when everything is on the line.

64. Are You Ready? Training, Culture, Policy & The Moment of Truth - Terrell Thomas

Tax season isn’t something we talk about much in the firehouse — but maybe we should.

In this episode, we sit down with former Air Force firefighter turned financial and tax expert, Matt Stelmaszek, to break down what federal firefighters need to know before the April 15 filing deadline. We cover:

 * How the tax system actually works (and why more OT doesn’t “tax all your income higher”)
 * The difference between deductions and credits
 * Traditional TSP vs Roth IRA considerations
 * “No Tax on OT” for federal firefighters — what qualifies and what doesn’t
 * Roth IRA contributions you can still make before the deadline
 * Common financial mistakes service members make

This episode is a little outside our normal programming — but it’s practical, timely, and designed to help firefighters avoid leaving money on the table.

If you’re a military or federal civilian firefighter, this one matters.

63. Tax Strategy for Federal Firefighters Before April 15 - Matt Stelmaszek

In this episode of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt is joined by returning guest Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Peter Webb.  Chief Webb previously appeared on Episode 35, where he shared his journey from Army firefighter to Air Force Reserve Command Chief, his service as a Battalion Chief in Dothan, Alabama, and a first-hand account of serving as Incident Commander during a mayday. 

Since that conversation, Chief Webb has retired from the Air Force after more than 32 years of service, concluding a military career that began in 1989 and culminated as Command Chief of the 919th Special Operations Wing. In this episode, we reflect on his military and civilian careers, the leadership lessons he’s learned over three decades of service, and the moments that most shaped him as a leader in both uniform and the fire service. 

We also dive into a topic many professionals eventually face: what to do when you don’t get the job you applied for or the position you truly wanted. Chief Webb shares a personal experience with professional disappointment, how he processed it, what he did next, and how leaders can turn non-selection into growth. 

This conversation is about leadership, resilience, and navigating careers when the path doesn’t go exactly as planned.

62. When You Don’t Get the Job  You Want: Leadership Insights  from a 32-Year Chief - Pete Webb

In Episode 61 of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt Wilson is joined by former Air Force firefighter Chris Lopardi for a conversation about service, loss, fatherhood, and transitioning out of the military.

Chris shares how losing his son, Mason, shaped his outlook on life and influenced his decision-making during and after his time in the Air Force. The episode also explores why transition planning should begin years in advance, what service members should focus on before separating, and how fire service experience can translate into successful civilian careers.

Chris now works in Environmental, Health, and Safety and offers insight into what that career field looks like after military service.

61. Leaving the Military, Overcoming Loss, and Building a Career in Safety - Chris Lopardi

In Episode 60 of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt sits down with CMSgt (Ret.) Shanton Russell for a reflective conversation on career progression, leadership philosophy, and long-term success in Air Force Fire Protection.

Chief Russell shares his full-circle journey—entering the Air Force as a young firefighter at Scott Air Force Base in 1996 and retiring nearly 30 years later as the Fire Chief at the same installation. Throughout the discussion, he reflects on the lessons learned early in his career, how his leadership approach evolved as he progressed through the enlisted ranks, and the experiences that shaped him as a senior enlisted leader.

This episode offers valuable insight for Airmen, NCOs, and leaders at every level who are focused on professional growth, intentional leadership, and building a career grounded in service and experience.

60. Reflections on Service, Leadership & a 30-Year Career - CMSgt (ret) Shanton Russell

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The FireDawg Podcast (@firedawg)

The FireDawg Podcast is rooted in the United States Air Force and serves to foster connection, learning, and growth within all ranks of the American fire service. Topics covered include fire service best practices, lessons learned, leadership, firefighting tactics, history, and much more.