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5-Alarm Task Force!

5-Alarm Task Force!

Steve Greene

News and Issues For Today's First Responders. We provide some of the top mentors, leaders and members of the Fire Service from the U.S. and Canada.

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Top 10 5-Alarm Task Force! Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best 5-Alarm Task Force! episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to 5-Alarm Task Force! for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite 5-Alarm Task Force! episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

5-Alarm Task Force! - The Value of Education in the Fire Service
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09/23/18 • 75 min

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Over the years, many men and women have entered the fire service with little or no prior training other than perhaps being a “junior” firefighter, an Explorer® or perhaps the departments basic training program. Yet, as we are all well aware, we are quite often, not fighting the types of fires that our forebears did and, as a matter of fact, we are responding to many different types of calls, altogether. Add to the mix is the fact that many people entering both the career and volunteer fire service are looking towards advancing their knowledge to meet the changing role of the firefighter and the best way to do that is to expand your educational reach.
My guest on this podcast is Anthony Mangeri. Not only has Anthony been a volunteer in NJ for over thirty years, he is the Director of Fire & Emergency Services Initiatives at American Public University System. Anthony clearly and concisely explains how one can advance a career in not only the fire service, but in many areas of emergency services, through any number of choices of fields of studies, as well as the different types of degrees that are available.
If you are thinking of expanding your emergency services educational horizons, I urge you to listen carefully to Anthony’s descriptions of the types of degrees and which ones may or may not be transferable to other fire schools/academies or even towards college credits. This information might help you avoid some of the common difficulties when seeking to transfer your studies and credits.
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How many times have we heard about a friend or relative made his/her annual visit to their doctor. She runs a batch of tests, only to tell you that there is a problem. When the patient is asked, “Why didn’t you come in sooner?” The sad answer is, “I didn’t think it was anything to bother you with.” Sadly, this often results in a serious condition that might have been mitigated with early discovery.
Our guest on this episode of “5-Alarm Task Force,” is an ardent supporter of our podcast and always teaches us important and valuable info to promote healthy habits for the fire service and, more important, early detection!
Over the years, even when still serving as the Executive Assistant Chief of the Broward County Sheriff – Fire/Rescue Division. Even long before he was involved with Lifescan Wellness, he brought them into that very department to evaluate the health of the firefighters, officers, etc. And with every appearance on the podcast, Todd has shared some of the wonderful stories of firefighters, police officers and others who, through the exams through Lifescan Wellness, many folks had early detection of what could have led to that person facing a tough, medical battle. Yet, with early detection, the Lifescan teams have found health issues which, had not been discovered, might have led to a significant issue.
Check out our videocast on our YouTube® channel, “5-Alarm Task Force Corp,” and our audio podcast on all major podcast platforms.
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Please remember that we need your help especially during this Holiday Season; to raise the important funds we use to financially help our Brothers/Sisters and/or their families, when they are in dire need. Since 2020, we have donated nearly $7,000.00 to our Brothers and Sisters. We can only do that with your help. Please visit our homepage at https://www.5-AlarmTaskForceCorp.org and scroll down to the photo of the E2QB siren. Select the photo and our donation page will appear. From $1.00 to whatever you can afford, any amount will help us.
And you can always reach us at [email protected]

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5-Alarm Task Force! - The Importance of the 360 Size-Up + More!
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12/11/19 • 155 min

As long as we have had two-way radios in the fire service, the first arriving officer (or whomever was in a “right seat”) would provide some sort of report upon arrival. In my active years in two different departments from ’77-’85, the FAO might give a 15-30 “quick view” to dispatch. I remember being assigned to “recon” a structure file, a few times and report back to the ranking officer on scene. And mind you, in those days we had two radios: one fixed in the apparatus and one for the person in the right seat. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then!
For this special “Panel Discussion” episode of “5-alarm Task Force,” I am joined my Commissioner Jared Renshaw, Battalion Chief Andy Starnes, Captain Andrew Roach and Lt. Jason Liska; four, seasoned and well-experienced officers. Together, we discuss the critical importance of the good report; preferably one derived from a 360. We concede that there will be occasions where a quick, “windshield” size-up will be expedient to expedite an initial ops plan; however it must be followed up with a more complete size-up, 360 preferred, if possible. Our discussion is backed-up by the results of numerous post-LODD NIOSH reports.
While my guests and I always believe that every episode is a “learning tool” for the listener, this panel and I see this episode as one that is as important for the line firefighter as it is for the chief officer. This one might very well save a firefighter’s life.
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5-Alarm Task Force! - "Fully Invlolved Leadership" with Chief Gary Ludwig
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05/06/19 • 23 min

If you have been involved in fire and/or EMS, you probably know the name, “Gary Ludwig.” Chief Ludwig has over 40 years of experience in fire-rescue and EMS. He has served as the Chief Paramedic of the St. Louis Fire Dept, the Deputy Fire Chief for the Memphis Fire Dept, and currently serves as the Chief of the Champaign IL Fire Dept.
In his new book, “Fully Involved Leadership,” Chief Ludwig shares some new and fresh perspectives on good leadership. He brings a new view of the leadership triangle and you’ll be surprised at the vision he presents.
Listen, the best leaders are not the ones who shout the loudest or intimidate those of the lower ranks. Chief Ludwig draws on his years of experience, from when he started his career with the St. Louis Fire Dept., just two months after graduating high school to his present position as Chief of the Champaign IL Fire Dept. His new book is for any firefighter/paramedic who aspires to be a leader in this field, from the newest recruit to well-experienced line officer to the chief.
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5-Alarm Task Force! - "Courage Under Fire-Being the Best Officer You Can!"
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12/20/18 • 75 min

After a few years on the front lines, a number of us believe that we should be officers. Perhaps I “should” have used “could be officers!” And that is because being an officer, from a lieutenant up to the chief, is not an easy job, no matter what you see, think or what your pals have told you! Not sure? Then I encourage you to listen to this podcast. No, it’s not a listing of all the negatives about being an officer. In fact, you may learn some important traits you will need if you choose to pursue this course in your career.
My guest is Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski of the Santa Clara County CA Fire Department. With over 25 years on the job and an accomplished speaker, instructor and mentor, Steve has a passion for helping others get hired, stay hired, get promoted and stay promoted.
In this podcast, Steve presents two lists for you to consider; one are five traits that demonstrate you may be ready for a leadership role and the second is a list of five attributes that will help to better your chances of being successful.
As we all know, there are no guaranties in life. Perhaps though, if you have a clearer picture of both your motives, as well as the right personal goals to aim for, you might have a gold bar or two, or even a trumpet or two, in your future.
Stay Safe & Stay Well!
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5-Alarm Task Force! - "You Don't Know What You Don't Know!"
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06/11/18 • 154 min

Many of us are pretty damn excited when the dreams of little kids to be firefighters comes to fruition in our usually, young adult lives. We are usually in our late teens or early twenties. We may have had some experience by “buffing” until we were old enough to ride the apparatus. We’ve watched the experienced members do so many tactics, that we feel we’ll know exactly what to do when that special day arrives. As our guest today explains in Part I of his interview, (the first time in our history to create a two-part interview), “we don’t know what we don’t know!”
N. Providence RI retired Battalion Chief was like so many of the rest of us. He joined his then, on-call department at age 16 and ate up all the knowledge he could. At 18, he was allowed to ride the apparatus and actively participate in drills. On a Saturday morning, he was a “truckee,” participating at an old mill, no longer in operation. The aerial was set against the building at a fourth-floor window. Additionally, out-of-reach, above the aerial, were high-voltage transmission lines with 40,000 volts.
Colleagues had stretched an empty 2-1/2” line up the ladder, but a coupling became lodged between the rungs of the main body and the fly. Young John placed his tools down and raised his hand to signal his comrades to stop pulling on the hose. As he did, he was caught in an induction zone of the lines, allowing an estimated 14,000 volts to course in and then out of his body, changing his life in the blink of an eye.
Join us, for this gritty, enthralling and emotional story about one of America’s truly bravest, on Part 1 of our interview with Chief John Cagno.
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5-Alarm Task Force! - "Brotherhood Coaching"

"Brotherhood Coaching"

5-Alarm Task Force!

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05/21/18 • 67 min

On his website, BrotherhoodCoaching.com, our guest, Capt. John Lovato, Jr poses this question: Do you want to work in a fire station or do you want to work in FIREHOUSE!?!" Almost seems that there's no real question there.
However, Capt. Lovato sees quite a difference and he explains the differences in this podcast. In this context, the word "brotherhood" has nothing to do with gender. Instead, it deal with how firefighters, no matter their gender, work together, working as a well-practiced team. Each member know what his/her responsibilities are, where to be and where to go.
Capt. Lovato brings a refreshing view of how a crew can and should know each others abilities and how to put them best to use when the house-bells rings.
We hope you'll enjoy this podcast and will share it with the members of your crew and with others in your department, as well!
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5-Alarm Task Force! - "The Evolving Fire Ground"

"The Evolving Fire Ground"

5-Alarm Task Force!

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11/19/18 • 90 min

When you’re on the fireground, it often looks like organized chaos. Why? Because, rarely does the situation remain stagnant. Things are always changing. Whether its redirecting a hose line, raising the stick, one crew heads out to rehab, while a fresh one gets ready for entry. Change in wind direction, etc.
My guests on this podcast, Dep. Chief PJ Norwood and Capt. Sean Gray, have seen this occur over and over again through their years of experience. However, more than the simplistic view that I’ve provided above, they have looked at the fireground in a much more focused manner, seeing, “The Evolving Fireground,” which is the name of their current book.
Based on research-based data they use in the text, we discuss key areas such as, “How firefighting activities affect the fire tetrahedron,” “How to stay safe while working in the flow path of the fireground,” “Search methods that isolate the firefighter and victim” and several others.
Their years of experience, together with the data they have culled from numerous research projects, provide them with a solid foundation that they look to share with firefighters, both in the U.S. and around the world. Tune in at www.dalmatianproductions.tv or your favorite podcast streaming service and give them a listen. I think that not only will you understand their ideas, but you will embrace them, as well.
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5-Alarm Task Force! - Our Turnout Gear - Safe or Sorry
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09/27/18 • 70 min

It’s there, hanging on the rack, next to our bunk, in the backseat or trunk of our car. What is it? Our bunker or turnout gear; part of our entire PPE ensemble. It is designed to protect us from sharp or pointy edges, to prevent the heat from reaching our “civilian” bodies and to not allow wetness to pervade into the inner layers which might cause us suffering steam burns. Besides our boots, coat and pants, it includes our hoods and gloves – all playing a critical role in protecting us from environmental toxins and carcinogens so often found in what is burning today.
However, what if this PPE is doing its job at a higher risk than we had ever known or suspected? It is here that the “waters get muddied.” We know for a fact that certain chemicals used to waterproof not only our PPE, but carpets, upholstery and almost anything else that is made where we do not want any liquid incursion, when joined together and over a period of time, can develop into carcinogenic compounds. What do we do about this and why did we not know about it?
My guest on this podcast, knows a great deal about this topic. Diane Cotter is the wife of Lt. (ret) Paul Cotter of the Worcester MA Fire Dept. A month after Paul’s promotion he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Yet, before that, he had been at the peak of health and fitness-for-duty. So, they began looking into this issue, certainly not by themselves, but along with scientists, researchers, and many more.
You will be surprised my any number of the facts that Diane shares with us on this podcast. If you did not know about this side of the firefighter cancer battle, you just might be amazed at what you hear. One thing is for sure – you will never look at your bunker gear the same way again.
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5-Alarm Task Force! - The Firefighter Cancer Foundation
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09/17/18 • 142 min

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As firefighters, we face some very difficult situations such as flammable liquids, concentrated atmospheres of flammable gas, heavy content fires, mass casualty incidents and more. Yet, many might agree that in 2018, there is one that could bring the bravest and “toughest” firefighter to his/her knees – and that is a diagnosis of cancer. Although today, more people are surviving cancer than ever before, our love for our work can often bring us together with strange, alternative forms of known cancers, even ones that have rarely, if ever, been seen before.
That is where our guest on this podcast, Cindy Ell, comes in. Cindy is the founder of the Firefighter Cancer Foundation, which was established in 2004. Cindy and her group of over three dozen volunteers, spread out across the country to help lead the charge against cancer in the fire service. They work on multiple platforms, including legislative at both state and federal levels; medical, working with medical professionals and facilities who are studying the causes of cancer in the fire service and searching for new treatment methods, and perhaps, their most important mission, working with firefighters and their families who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
This podcast contains excellent information and a great deal of it. You will see that Cindy doesn’t “beat around the bush,” and tells it like it is. The statistics that Cindy provides are somewhat overwhelming. Yet, she counters those with messages of real hope thanks to the work of the FFCF.
Who knows? This podcast just might save your life.
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FAQ

How many episodes does 5-Alarm Task Force! have?

5-Alarm Task Force! currently has 239 episodes available.

What topics does 5-Alarm Task Force! cover?

The podcast is about Leadership, Ems, Podcasts, Education, Firefighting and Government.

What is the most popular episode on 5-Alarm Task Force!?

The episode title 'Who Knew? This Doctor Did!' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on 5-Alarm Task Force!?

The average episode length on 5-Alarm Task Force! is 101 minutes.

How often are episodes of 5-Alarm Task Force! released?

Episodes of 5-Alarm Task Force! are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of 5-Alarm Task Force!?

The first episode of 5-Alarm Task Force! was released on Mar 2, 2018.

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