This Readiness Series focuses on all aspects of Air Force firefighter waretime preparedness. Throughout the series, we will explore key military doctrine, techniques, tactics, and procedures, examine equipment packages, and much more. While the series emphasizes topics related to wartime readiness, all information shared is unclassified, publicly available, and free of sensitive content.  

In this episode, Matt is joined by CMSgt Geoffry Wilson, the Air Force Fire Protection Career Field Manager. Chief Wilson and Matt delve into the origins of the Air Force’s Force Generation Models, as well as the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) model, which outlines how the Air Force plans to operate in a contested environment. They also explore the reasons behind the Air Force’s evolving strategies and how the Fire Service integrates into these new frameworks. Please note, the information shared is current as of December 2024 and may evolve as the Air Force continues to refine its approach.

Readiness Series 1. Origin & Evolution of Air Force Force Generation

In this episode of the Table Talk Series, Chris shares a real-life story from Indianapolis about a firefighter who took a big risk and successfully made a daring rescue. He and Matt break down the "Risk vs. Reward" threshold—when should you risk a lot to save a lot, and when should you pull back? Every firefighter has their own approach, but one thing is certain: preparation, training, and discipline are key. Tune in to hear how Chris and Matt explore where that line falls and why being ready for any challenge is crucial in the fire service.

Table Talk 07. Risk vs. Reward: When to Push Forward, When to Hold Back

In this episode, Chris and Matt have the privilege of speaking with Chief Jason Hoevelmann, Fire Chief of the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District in North St. Louis County, MO.

Chief Hoevelmann has 28 years of experience in the fire service. He has held various positions including Company Officer, Battalion Chief, and now Fire Chief. He is also the author of two books: No Exceptions Leadership: The Leadership Handbook and The New Company Officer. He is also the creator of The New Fire Officer Facebook page which some of you may be familiar with; the page has 40,000 followers. Most recently, he was a keynote speaker at FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), where he addressed the critical need for change and adaptation in the fire service.

In our conversation, Chief Hoevelmann shares his insights on leadership, discusses his books, explores the balance between higher education and ground competency, and discusses the importance of change and adaptation among other important topics.

50. Leadership, Education, & Change in the Fire Service - Chief Jason Hoevelmann

Matt and Austin discuss breaking down engine company decision making into manageable, easy to remember, and useful approaches. They talk about the “rule of 3s” and how to break down decisions such as what hose or appliance to employ on a fire, how to load and stretch hose, and how to supply the engine and other things into 3 options each. They also talk about how to break down 1st and 2nd due company assignments to again, make decision making easy. The idea is that when you break tactics down into three options it makes your efforts much more effective and the outcome much more favorable.

It should go without saying that the information provided in this episode and others like it are not intended to replace existing department procedures or act as an excuse to not train. These approaches are “simple, not easy” and should be carefully thought through and practiced.

Let us know your thoughts or opinions in our FireDawg Mentorship Facebook Group and head to our website, www.firedawg.us, to check out other episodes.

Table Talk 06. Engine Company Decision Making and the Rule of 3s - Austin Perry

In Episode 49, Jeret Kinnaird and Brandon Pelkey join Matt and Chris to talk about the North Carolina Air National Guard (ANG) Rescue Technician School. The school offers Rescue Technician I and Rescue Technician II courses that are AETC sanctioned and are IFSAC and Pro Board accredited. Throughout the episode, Jeret and Brandon give insights into what the course is about, what the future holds and how to sign up.

49. North Carolina Air National Guard (ANG) Rescue School - Jeret Kinnaird & Brandon Pelkey

In this episode, Matt is joined by Austin Perry. Austin and Matt talk about engine company operations as they relate to interior structure fire tactics. More specifically Austin talks about zero visibility nozzle work or working within a structure with zero visibility (and how to approach that), he also talks about the importance of training subordinate firefighters so that they understand tactics and approaches so that they are empowered to work alone when necessary, and we also talk about some other firefighting tactics and approaches throughout our conversation.

Table Talk 05. Engine Company Operations, Interior Firefighting Tactics, Empowering Firefighters - Austin Perry

In this episode, Matt is joined by Brandon Laird to discuss fireground size up. They discuss having a standardized approach to size-ups so that they are easy to remember and ultimately improve fireground efficiency. They discuss the acronym CANC3R:

 * C - Conditions and Construction
 * A - Actions
 * N - Needs
 * C - Command
 * 3 - 360
 * R - Report

Table Talk 04. A Standardized Approach to Fireground Size Up - Brandon Laird

In episode 48, Matt and Chris speak with Ryan Julius and Leah Lloyd, both recent graduates of Firefighter Rescue and Survival (FRAS), Class 9. Ryan and Leah recount their experiences and offer advice to anyone interested in attending one of the most mentally and physically demanding courses offered to DoD Firefighters.

Visit https://firedawg.us/fras/ for more info on FRAS and to sign up for the next class.

48. After Action Review - Firefighter Rescue & Survival (FRAS) Class 9 - Ryan Julius & Leah Lloyd

In episode 47, Matt speaks with Robert Gerry, the Logistic Officer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department in New Jersey. RJ is a contributing member of the Air Force Fire & Emergency Services “Reinvigorate the Flight” strategic line of effort (LOE) #2 and championed the new Logistics Officer Course intended to introduce new logistics officers to the information and resources necessary to be successful in the job. In the episode, he explains the rationale behind the course, some of the information included within it, and the other plans for improving the availability of information for the Logistics Officer position.

47. Improving the AF Fire Service Logistics Officer Position - Robert Gerry 

In episode 46, Matt and Chris talk with FDNY Firefighter Jeff Cool. On January 23rd, 2005, Jeff survived what later became known as “Black Sunday”. Jeff and 5 other New York City firefighters bailed out of the 4th floor of an illegally divided tenement in the Bronx, killing two firefighters and leading to the death of a third as a result of his injuries.

Jeff started his firefighting career in 1984 as an active-duty Air Force firefighter at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. From there, he did some time with the Air National Guard and spent four years as a civilian airport firefighter. Following that, he began his FDNY career at Ladder 19 in the Bronx. Following September 11, 2001, he moved to Rescue Company 3.

In the episode, he recounts the events of “Black Sunday”, highlights the heroics of those Firefighters on that day, and discusses how we prevent similar tragedies in the future.

46. Recounting “Black Sunday” with FDNY and Former Air Force Firefighter - Jeff Cool

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.

The FireDawg Podcast

The FireDawg Podcast's Show

Connect | Inform | Inspire

https://www.FireDawg.us

No DoD endorsement implied

The FireDawg Podcast

Shows