How do we prepare firefighters to perform when stress, pressure, and uncertainty are at their highest?

In this episode, clinical psychologist and translational neuroscientist Dr. Sarah Jackson joins Travis and Dyess AFB firefighters Chris Muriset, Eric Murillo, and Jon Donaldson to discuss stress inoculation training and its application within the fire service. Through collaboration between Travis AFB and Dyess AFB Fire Departments, the team is exploring ways to integrate mental performance training with traditional physical and tactical training. The goal is to better prepare firefighters to recognize their stress responses, maintain performance under pressure, and develop practical skills for managing stress.

Topics include:

 * Understanding stress inoculation training and how it differs from stress exposure.
 * Training mental and physical performance together.
 * Breathing techniques and physiological stress management.
 * Using controlled stress scenarios to develop adaptive performance.
 * Recognizing when stress affects communication, decision-making, and fine motor skills.
 * The importance of active recovery following stressful events.
 * Applying these skills beyond the fireground and into everyday life.

Stress is inevitable in our profession, but how we prepare for it, respond to it, and recover from it can make all the difference.

Take a breath, reassess, then attack.

A special episode for the FireDawg Podcast as Austin Perry takes the reins as solo host for the first time!

71. Stress Inoculation Training: Preparing Firefighters to Perform Under Pressure - Dr. Sarah Jackson, Chris Muriset, Eric Murillo, & Jon Donaldson

On February 4, 2007, a flashover changed Lionel Crowther’s life forever. He suffered burns to 70% of his body, while two of his fellow firefighters, Captain Lessard and Captain Nichols, tragically lost their lives.

In this episode, Lionel shares a firsthand account of that day and reflects on the lasting impact on him, his family, and the fire service. Nearly two decades later, he continues to serve as a Captain with the Winnipeg Fire Department while dedicating himself to supporting burn-injured firefighters, their families, and those struggling with post-traumatic stress.

We also discuss the IAFF Fire Ground Survival Program, firefighter health, sleep, physical fitness, and the importance of taking care of our own.  Lionel’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, leadership, and finding purpose after tragedy.

70. Firsthand Account of a LODD & Service After Tragedy - Lionel Crowther

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

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The FireDawg Podcast (@firedawg) · Zencastr

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.