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Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

Fire-Dex

Unlock the latest news on fire safety and firefighter trends with our accomplished hosts as they are joined by a new fire industry expert each episode. We'll take a deep dive into conversations that navigate current news and evolving issues within the fire service. Season 1 Host: Retired FDNY Battalion Chief, Bob Keys Season 2 Host: Battalion Chief of Charlotte FD & Founder of Insight Training Andy Starnes. This podcast is hosted by Fire-Dex.
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Top 10 Rapid Fire Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Rapid Fire episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Rapid Fire 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 Rapid Fire episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Rapid Fire - How to Be Efficient in Fireground Search
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08/05/22 • 66 min

Join Andy Starnes and Chief Schwalbe as they discuss the best ways to be efficient during fireground search training and how to become a better fire instructor.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

  • How to be a better fire instructor
  • The basics of search & rescue training
  • How to utilize data to better your search tactics
  • Ways to train at home
  • Best practices for efficient tool placement
  • Search curriculum

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Grant Schwalbe is the Division Chief of Operations at Estero Fire Department in Fort Myers, Florida, and has served with the department since 2003. He is also an Instructor for When Things Go Bad, Inc. and has taught at FDIC, The Orlando Fire Conference, Wichita HOT, and Fire Rescue East. He’s had several articles published in Fire Engineering Magazine. Grant is passionate about Search, Engine Company Ops, Firefighter Survival, and RIT. Grant is an FL Instructor 3 and has earned an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/
#rapidfirepod #firedex #firegroundsearch

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Rapid Fire - Addressing Mental Health in the Fire Service
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01/11/22 • 53 min

First responders are expected to be calm and level-headed but the stressors faced by those in the fire service can have a cumulative impact on mental health and well-being. Listen in as Andy Starnes and Dena Ali discuss the stigma associated with firefighters seeking help and how peer support resources can be a solution.

What You Can Expect To Learn

  • Biggest misconceptions about mental health in firefighters
  • Addressing feelings vs recycling them
  • PTSD & peer support resources
  • Implementing mental health solutions within the fire house
  • The cause of most firefighter suicides
  • Individual coping mechanisms


ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dena Ali is a Captain with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department and previously served as a police officer for five years. She is also the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support where she helped to develop their statewide curriculum. During her career she earned the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor award for her steadfast effort to bring awareness to firefighter mental health. Dena is advocate of awareness, education, and understanding of mental health disorders and suicidality. She speaks on these topics and is a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. Dena holds a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Rapid Fire - The Evolution of PPE Since 9/11
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09/13/21 • 56 min

Learn about the changing culture within the fire service that has led to a better understanding of health and safety needs for firefighters through advancements in PPE in the years since 9/11.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

  • Conceptualization of today's particulate blocking hoods
  • Expectations of gear inspections and cleaning
  • Inefficiencies in past PPE technology
  • Ergonomic design of modern turnout gear
  • Introduction of alternative PPE


ABOUT OUR GUEST :
Jim Reidy was a Lieutenant on Ladder 46 for the San Antonio Texas Fire Department (SAFD) where he was a firefighter for 33 years. He was also an Assistant Safety Officer and was the SAFD Quartermaster in 2018. He was involved in PPE for 30 of his 33 years and served as Co- Chairman of the SAFD/Local 624 Firefighting PPE Committee, as a member of the SAFD Occupational Cancer Committee, Tool and Equipment Committee, and Apparatus Committee.
Jim is a member of the NFPA 1971-1851 Committee representing the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters. He currently serves as Helmet Task Group Chair for the next edition of NFPA 1971. He serves on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Firefighter Advisory Committee as a member and past Chairman and is a Firefighter Cancer Support Network Rep in South Texas.
He also speaks at a variety of venues and events on Firefighter PPE Risk Assessment, Use, and Selection along with Firefighter Cancer Prevention and is known as a vocal advocate for firefighter health and safety.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Rapid Fire - Why Alternative PPE Matters
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07/12/21 • 47 min

Listen in as Instructor Andy Starnes of Insight Training translates THL & TPP into firefighter speak, discusses why alternative matters to your health, and reviews advancements in firefighting technologies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

  • The History of THL and TPP
  • Positive Culture Changes in the Fire Service
  • The Reasons to Consider Alternative PPE
  • Cardiac Issues, Heat Stress, and Your Gear
  • Firefighting Tech Advancements

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Instructor Andy Starnes of Insight Training is a lifelong student of the fire service and has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1992 and as a career firefighter since 1998. He is a fire service website contributor on the topics of thermal imaging, fire behavior, leadership, modern fire terminology, and behavioral health. Andy is also the founder of Bringing Back Brotherhood, a nonprofit organization designed to guide firefighters in the areas of behavioral health and counseling.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Get a behind the scenes look into Chief Keys’ robust career as Allen Rom takes the lead as host while the Chief shares his experiences becoming a firefighter, completing his first engine run, and moving up the ladder in FDNY.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Battalion Chief Keys completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station, Engine 48, in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served in many areas of NYC including Midtown Manhattan. Soon after earning a promotion to Battalion Chief, he was assigned to Battalion 39 in East New York Brooklyn. Toward the end of his career he was asked to become the Chief-in-Charge of their Research and Development Unit where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced into the fire service. Chief Keys holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Hofstra University.

Allen Rom joined the sales team at Fire-Dex in 2000 before transitioning to METRO Account Manager in 2015 and eventually worked his way up to Director of METRO & International Sales in 2019. His expertise is in building relationships with Fire Departments staffed with over 350 personnel and managing all international accounts. Allen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ashland College and has years of experience in sales, management and customer relations.

Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Rapid Fire - How COVID-19 is Impacting the Fire Service
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06/03/20 • 29 min

Assistant Chief Adam House, who is in charge of training, health and safety for the Sacramento Metro Fire District in California, and Assistant Chief Bryan Norris, the Executive Officer of Emergency Services for the San Antonio Fire Department in Texas, join Chief Keys to discuss how their departments implemented changes to procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.

***

Check out the Sacramento Metro Fire District.

Check out the San Antonio Fire Department.

***

Learn more about our COVID-19 PPE Selection and Care Guidelines for First Responders.

***

Like what you hear? Be on the lookout for updates on our social media!

***

Hosted by: Fire-Dex

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Understand how preventative measures and regular monitoring can help reduce occupational health concerns like cancer and cardiovascular disease with Todd LeDuc, Chief Strategy Officer of LifeScan Wellness Centers, and Rob Brown, Physicians Assistant and founder of the New York Firefighters Heart & Lung Institute, who are helping firefighters gain access to regular health check-ups and spread awareness about early detection.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

  • Why You Should Schedule Regular Monitoring of Your Health
  • How to Take Precaution Even When You're Asymptomatic
  • Why It's Important for Doctors to Translate Science to Firefighter Speak
  • The Importance of an Annual Preventative Exam
  • How COVID-19 Can Have an Impact on Your Cardiovascular Health
  • How to Access Preventative Monitoring Resources

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Todd J. LeDuc, MS, CFO, FIFirE, retired after nearly 30 years as an Assistant Fire Chief of Broward County, Florida, an internationally accredited career metro department. He serves as a Chief Strategy Officer for LifeScan Wellness Centers, a national provider of comprehensive physicals and early detection exams. For over a decade, he has served as a member of the International Association of Fire Chief’s Safety, Health & Survival Section and is currently the Secretary of that section. LeDuc is also the editor of Surviving the Fire Service (Fire Engineering Books) and serves on numerous advisory boards and publications.

Rob Brown began his fire service career in 1992 with the Glenwood Fire Department in Long Island, NY. He currently serves as a Lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department and has been an active member since 1996. FDNY Lieutenant Rob Brown, who is also a Physicians Assistant, and the founder of the New York Firefighters Heart & Lung Institute, has also previously written for Firehouse Magazine, WNYF Magazine, and continues to speak about firefighter health & safety issues on a national level.

ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.

Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Navigate the ever-changing world of fire training with Chiefs Shane Bentley and Webster Marshall as they discuss the founding principles of their organization Bearers of the Oath. Tune in as they explore the importance of high-fidelity training and express their commitment to firefighter mental and physical health.
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN

  • Prepping Firefighter Recruits
  • How Well Firefighters are Educated on PPE
  • What Comes Between You and the Danger
  • Realistic Training Scenarios Beyond the Textbook
  • Comfortability on the Fireground
  • Taking Care of Mental Health and Balancing Family

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Shane Bentley is an 18-year veteran of the Georgia Fire Service and is currently serving as the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations at a suburban department in Northeast Georgia. Shane’s passion for training has allowed him to be a part of and serve as a member of multiple fire service organizations including Do Your Part Training, FDIC, MAFFC, North Florida Fire EXPO, Georgia Fire Academy, Forge Fire & Company, Honor the Fallen Fire Conference, Capitol Fire Training, and Build Your Culture. He also serves as one of the founding members of the Bearers of the Oath Training Cadre and enjoys every opportunity he gets to give back to the Fire Service.

Web Marshall has been a firefighter for 21 years and currently serves at the Gwinnett County Fire Department as a Lieutenant and at the Jackson Trail Fire Department as Deputy Chief. Web is also the founder and owner of Command and Control, LLC and has experience as an NPQ Instructor III. His diverse career in the fire industry also includes emergency and non-profit management, technical rescue, command & leadership, and medical & wellness advocacy for the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation. Most recently, Web has been appointed to serve on the NFPA 1971 and 1851 Technical Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia College and State University focused on Rhetoric and Leadership.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/
#rapidfirepod #firedex #firefightertraining

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Retired Chief Ron Siarnicki, who actively serves as the Executive Director of the National Fallen Fire Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) in Maryland, and Joe Minogue, retired FDNY Lieutenant and lead advocate for the NFFF on Long Island, join Chief Keys to discuss how firefighters are coping with COVID-19 and how to organize a line of duty death funeral despite the current social challenges.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Retired Chief Ronald Siarinicki began his fire service career in 1978 with the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department where he progressed through the ranks to ultimately becoming the Fire Chief. After retiring in 2001, Chief Siranicki became the Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Prior to joining the Prince George's County, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Monessen VFD Hose House 2 and currently serves with the United Communities VFD in Stevensville, Maryland. Siarnicki is a member of the FireRescue1 and Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board.

Retired FDNY Lieutenant Joe Minogue started his Fire Service career in 1974, as a member of the Sound Beach Fire Department in New York. He currently serves in the Bethpage Fire Department, in Bethpage New York. Minogue is active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) as a New York State NFFF Lead Advocate in Nassau and Suffolk counties in NY. He also serves as the liaison for FDNY and the Phoenix Society Burn Survivors.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.

Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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Rapid Fire - Fire as a Weapon
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02/24/21 • 28 min

Explore the history of fire as a weapon and its uses within the fire service, law enforcement, and the latest technological devices. Listen as Chief Keys is joined by Assistant Fire Chief Homer Robertson of Fort Worth Texas Fire Department and Special Agent in Charge, Christopher Combs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation San Antonio Division.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

  • The history of fire as a weapon
  • Police and fire service coordination during riots
  • Joint Terrorism Task Force strategies and implementation
  • Utilizing modern firefighting robot technology
  • Fusion Center intelligence sharing and task forces

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

For the last 36 years, Homer Robertson has served with the Fort Worth Fire Department where he holds the title of Executive Assistant Chief. Currently, he leads the Educational and Support Service Division of the Department as well as the Office of Emergency Management for the City of Fort Worth. Recently, the Fort Worth Fire Department hosted the country’s first conference discussing Fire as a Weapon with some of the world’s leading experts on the subject. Homer holds a Master’s Degree from Tarleton State University in Political Science and resides with his family in Granbury, Texas.


As the Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Christopher Combs of the San Antonio Field Office oversees the Austin, Brownsville, Del Rio, Laredo, McAllen, and Waco Resident Agencies. Throughout his extensive 25 year career, SAC Combs has directed numerous domestic and international critical incidents. Previously, he co-authored the White House Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned after-action report and was appointed as the Senior Federal Law Enforcement Official where he oversaw 1,800 federal law enforcement officials completing rescue operations during Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, he received the FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Law Enforcement Community for President Obama’s 2008 Inauguration. Before joining the FBI, SAC Combs was a volunteer firefighter for eight years with the Freeport, New York, and New Berlin, Wisconsin Fire Departments.

ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys
completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.
Learn more about Fire-Dex products and services by visiting, www.firedex.com

Join the Conversation by Following Us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireDex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/firedex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firedexgear/

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FAQ

How many episodes does Rapid Fire have?

Rapid Fire currently has 18 episodes available.

What topics does Rapid Fire cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, Ems, Podcasts, Relationships, Firefighting, Business, Emergency Medicine, Firefighter and Careers.

What is the most popular episode on Rapid Fire?

The episode title 'Until Next Time: A Thank You from Our Hosts' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Rapid Fire?

The average episode length on Rapid Fire is 43 minutes.

How often are episodes of Rapid Fire released?

Episodes of Rapid Fire are typically released every 50 days, 22 hours.

When was the first episode of Rapid Fire?

The first episode of Rapid Fire was released on May 27, 2020.

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