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

In this episode, Matt is joined by Chief Master Sergeant Kyle Rollins to break down the June 2020 Hazardous Materials Storage Facility fire at Kadena Air Base.

Chief Rollins, who served as the Incident Commander, provides a detailed after-action review of a response initiated by Calcium Hypochlorite, a reactive material whose hazards can rapidly escalate when exposed to heat and moisture.

During the discussion they cover the facility conditions and contributing factors leading up to the incident, the initial response, size-up, and decision-making, interoperability and coordination between response agencies and strengths, challenges, and key lessons learned from the event.

The goal of this episode is to share real-world experience so firefighters and leaders can apply these lessons to their own response planning, training, and preparedness–before facing a similar incident themselves.

59. Kadena AB HazMat Storage Fire After Action Review - Kyle Rollins

In this episode, Matt and Chris sit down with John Whitmyer, Carlos Ballesteros, and Michael Myles–instructors of the new Fire Officer Strategies & Tactics Leadership Course (FOSTLC).

Designed for newly appointed company officers, FOSTLC is reshaping how the Air Force develops tactical leaders. Our guests break down why the course was created, the leadership gaps it aims to solve, and how it blends decision-making, mentorship, and fireground strategy into a focused 17-day program.

They walk us through the evolution of the course–from its early 30-plus day design to the refined, practical version being delivered today–and share insights from the first student iterations, lessons learned, and feedback from the field. The team also discusses the skills taught, what it takes to become an instructor, and what short- and long-term changes are on the horizon as the course continues to grow.

Whether you're a current or aspiring company officer, a chief officer looking to strengthen your department’s leadership pipeline, or simply someone invested in the future of the DoD Fire Service, this episode offers a deep dive into a course that’s helping shape the next generation of fire service leaders.

58. Developing Fire Service Leaders-Inside the New Fire Officer Strategies & Tactics Leadership Course (FOSTLC)

In this episode, Matt joins Justin Andreas, an ultramarathoner, run coach, social media influencer, podcaster, and current Deputy Fire Chief at Eielson AFB. They dig into the power of doing hard things—and how stepping into discomfort builds real resilience you can carry into every area of life. Justin shares why carving out time for the things that ignite you isn’t just a hobby—it’s a critical part of thriving on duty and off. Whether you’re chasing big goals in your career, your fitness, or your personal development, this conversation shows how leaning into the hard stuff shapes you into someone who’s ready for anything.

57. The Power of Doing Hard Things with Ultramarathoner & Firefighter - Justin Andreas

Fluorine Free Foam (F3) has officially replaced AFFF across the Department of Defense fire service - but what does that really mean for firefighters on the line?

In this episode, Matt and Chris sit down with Austin Perry, a Staff Sergeant and Company Officer at Eielson Air Force Base, who brings firsthand operational experience using F3 during two major aircraft responses - an F-35 crash and an F-16 mishap in 2025.

Austin shares insights from both real-world incidents and formal training at the Dallas-Fort Worth Fire Training Research Center, breaking down the science, limitations, and tactical adjustments needed to apply F3 in the field effectively.

From foam chemistry and nozzle techniques to weather effects and decision-making under pressure, this episode dives deep into the technical side of firefighting’s newest challenge: mastering F3.

To explore Austin’s training videos and F3 resources, visit firedawg.us [https://firedawg.us/] and check out Episode 56.

56. - F3 Master Class - Exploring the New Foam & How it Performed on an F-35 Crash - Austin Perry

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.

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