Firehouse Roundtable
Ventura Fire Foundation
The kitchen table is the heart of the firehouse. It’s where those who are “Always Ready” bond over shared war stories of a career in the fire department and its impact on their everyday lives, including their families and both their physical and mental health. On Firehouse Roundtable, we’ll bring you those stories, so you can be a fly on the wall around the firehouse kitchen table. Your hosts Capt. Peter McKenzie (retired) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay (active) lead these conversations exploring all aspects of that decision to become one of the “Always Ready.” They will invite other active and retired firefighters, supporters, and experts to join as their guests. So, whether you are considering a career in fire service, have fire stories of your own, or support a firefighter who does, grab a cup of coffee and join us at the Firehouse Roundtable!
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Top 10 Firehouse Roundtable Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Firehouse Roundtable episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Firehouse Roundtable 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 Firehouse Roundtable episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Handoff to the Fire Family Collective
Firehouse Roundtable
05/22/25 • 30 min
In this episode, Peter McKenzie and Amanda Ellis discuss the transition of the Firehouse Roundtable podcast to the Fire Family Collective, focusing on the importance of community and support for families of firefighters. Amanda shares her personal journey of feeling isolated as a new firefighter's spouse and how connecting with others in similar situations has been transformative. They explore the vision for the Fire Family Collective, including mentorship programs and upcoming resources aimed at supporting families. The conversation emphasizes the need for connection, understanding, and shared experiences within the firefighting community.
Host: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) of Ventura Fire Foundation Inc.
Guest Host: Amanda Ellis
Link: Request Access to the Fire Family Collective
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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.
Falone Serna, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach with California Lutheran University solves the mystery of getting into and paying for college. Dean Serna provides practical advice on deciding if college is the right path after high school, how to choose a school that's a great fit, what schools look for in students, how NOT to pay sticker price, and how to ensure the investment in college pays off (hint: going to college is like going to the gym).
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Falone Serna, California Lutheran University
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.
Courage and Resilience with Heather Ellis, Ventura City EMS Administrator Part 2
Firehouse Roundtable
05/23/24 • 39 min
Part 2 of a conversation with Ventura City EMS Administrator Heather Ellis, a former firefighter and firefighter's spouse, who shares her personal story of resilience and overcoming domestic violence. Heather discusses her background in the fire department, the injury that led to a career transition, and the impact of the injury on her home life. She also talks about recognizing the need for help and the importance of peer support. Heather shares her personal journey of being in a relationship with a firefighter who struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Heather discusses the challenges of leading her family through grief and the importance of rebuilding and finding resilience. She offers advice for those in similar situations, emphasizing the need to recognize warning signs and prioritize self-care. Heather also discusses the improvements needed in mental health support within the fire service.
If you or someone you care about is a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by texting “START” to 88788.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: EMS Adminstrator Heather Ellis of the Ventura Fire Department
Link: Our Webinar Series
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Previewing the Fire Family Collective
Firehouse Roundtable
11/19/24 • 51 min
Guest host Amanda Ellis talks with three other fire spouses, Stephanie Kay, Maggie Hernandez, and Anna Young, about the Ventura Fire Foundation's newest initiative, the Fire Family Collective. To be launched in January 2025, the Fire Family Collective is a supportive digital community for USA fire families offering resources, education, and connection. The Collective will empower fire families to overcome adversity, strengthen their relationships, and foster a sense of belonging within the fire service community. The discussion on this show taps into many topics the Collective will focus on, including parenting, relationships, and mental health.
Host: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) of Ventura Fire Foundation Inc.
Guest Host: Amanda Ellis
Guest: Stephanie Kay
Guest: Maggie HernandezGuest: Anna Young
Link: Request Access to the Fire Family Collective
Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Text the show - feedback, guest suggestions, etc.
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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.
Tiffany Atalla, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Firehouse Roundtable
01/12/23 • 52 min
Tiffany Atalla, licensed marriage and family therapist AND fire wife, talks about how to improve first responder family life and connectedness among first responder families. Tiffany also talks about the trained peer support program for spouses that she helped create at her husband's fire department, as well as an upcoming (2/9/2023) training she will be conducting for Ventura area fire spouses. Listen in...
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Tiffany Atalla, MFT - First Responder Wellness, Shift Wellness, Counseling Team International, Best Solutions Therapy
Link: Register for February 9, 2023 Spousal Peer Support course
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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.
Newly Retired Firefighters Captain Tom Weinell, Engineer Brian Kremer, and Captain Thom Hoffman Discuss Just About Everything
Firehouse Roundtable
11/30/23 • 83 min
With 80 combined years in the fire service, newly retired firefighters Captain Tom Weinell, Engineer Brian Kremer, and Captain Thom Hoffman have a lot to say. This wide-ranging conversation touches on the Thomas Fire, La Conchita mudslides, Jesusita Fire, firehouse hijinks, burnout, changes they've seen in the fire service, their experiences with retirement so far, and much more Many current and former Ventura City firefighters are namedropped, and many stories are told (a few made it past our censors).
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Captain Tom Weinell
Guest: Engineer Brian Kremer
Guest: Captain Thom Hoffman
Link: Firehouse Roundtable Episode 16 - Life in a Fire Family with Madeline and Erin, Ventura City Fire Captain Thom Hoffman's Daughters
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Founder of Flying Embers, Bill Moses, on the Thomas Fire and His Resulting Commitment to Supporting Firefighters
Firehouse Roundtable
12/01/22 • 38 min
Flying Embers founder and CEO Bill Moses talks about his harrowing experience in the Thomas Fire and how it led to the Flying Embers organic alcohol brand. For 3 nights, Bill witnessed the power of nature, as well as firefighters' skill and determination in battling it. In that moment (and in gratitude to them), Bill dedicated himself and Flying Embers to supporting firefighters by giving back 1% of all sales to firefighter causes. Listen in...
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Bill Moses, Founder and CEO of Flying Embers and the Embers Foundation
Link: Thomas Fire
Link: Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Link: LA County Fire Museum
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Kicking Cancer's @$$ with Capt. Kevin Corbett of Santa Barbara City Fire and Capt. Scott Jennie (ret.) of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network
Firehouse Roundtable
04/11/24 • 59 min
In this episode, Capt. Kevin Corbett of Santa Barbara City Fire talks about his journey battling stage 4 testicular cancer. From a Hospice bed to returning to duty, Kevin's emotional story demonstrates how far we've come in fighting cancer, as well as the importance of a support network. In addition to highlighting the link between cancer and the fire service, Capt. Scott Jennie (ret.), California State Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, discusses the Firefighter Cancer Support Network's role in providing support and resources to firefighters diagnosed with cancer. The conversation emphasizes the importance of advocacy, early detection, and the need for firefighters to seek help and support during their cancer journey. Our next espisode features Kevin's wife and daughter to discussing the battle from their perspectives.
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest Co-host: Battalion Chief Jeremy Henderson
Guest: Captain Kevin Corbett of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Guest: Captain Scott Jennie (ret.) of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network
Link: Santa Barbara City Firefighters Instagram
Link: SBCFFA Facebook
Link: Santa Barbara City Fire Department Facebook
Link: City Of Santa Barbara Fire Department
Link: City Of Santa Barbara Police Department
Link: One805
Link: 805 Firefighters Stachefest
Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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From Fixing Rigs to Assistant Chief: Bill Rigg's Unforgettable Career
Firehouse Roundtable
03/28/24 • 60 min
In this episode, retired Ventura City assistant chief Bill Rigg shares his experiences and stories from his career in the fire service. He discusses starting as a firefighter mechanic and the transition to having maintenance done by the city yard. He shares personal stories, including a funny story about a fight between two assistant chiefs. Bill also discusses call volume during his time in the fire service, expansion of fire stations, responding to the Rodney King riots, and he provides retirement advice for current firefighters.
Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Assistant Chief Bill Rigg (ret.) of the Ventura Fire Department
Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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Getting Mukes'd with Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Howell and Firefighter Sam Stein
Firehouse Roundtable
06/06/24 • 40 min
In this conversation, our hosts interview two firefighters as they come off probation, Ryan Howell and Sam Stein. Sam shares his background in firefighting, including working for various departments in Illinois and Wyoming before joining the Ventura City Fire Department, as well as his volunteer work in Ukraine. Ryan talks about his time with Cal Fire in Riverside and his decision to join the Ventura City Fire Department to be closer to home. Both firefighters discuss the challenges they faced in their previous departments and the reasons why they chose to make a lateral move. They talk about the intense training under Captain Eric Mukes experienced during their probationary period.
Hosts: Firefighter Paramedic Jon Ellis and Battalion Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guests: Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Howell and Firefighter Sam Stein of the Ventura City Fire Department
Link: Project Joint Guardian
Link: Dr. Zemlock webinar
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Text the show - feedback, guest suggestions, etc.
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Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2025.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Firehouse Roundtable have?
Firehouse Roundtable currently has 54 episodes available.
What topics does Firehouse Roundtable cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Society & Culture, Ptsd, Mental Health, Financial, Podcasts and Firefighter.
What is the most popular episode on Firehouse Roundtable?
The episode title 'Changing Firefighter Culture with Chief David Rhodes' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Firehouse Roundtable?
The average episode length on Firehouse Roundtable is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of Firehouse Roundtable released?
Episodes of Firehouse Roundtable are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Firehouse Roundtable?
The first episode of Firehouse Roundtable was released on Oct 18, 2022.
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