andy starnes

What an exciting 2 Seasons that we've had! Thank you to our loyal listeners for tuning in and to our guests who have shared their knowledge and expertise with firefighter world-wide. We hope you have walked away with a few new tips and lessons on how to make firefighting a little bit safer.  

Fire-Dex still have tons of educational resources available for you on our blog and social channels. Make sure to check them out!  

Again, thank you so much for listening! 

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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.   



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#rapidfirepod #firedex #firegroundsearch  

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. 

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Tune in as Season 1 host Retired Battalion Chief Bob Keys passes the reigns to Battalion Chief Andy Starnes of Charlotte Fire Department and Founder of Insight Training. Join us as we bid farewell to Bob and get to know our new Season 2 host as he shares stories about his journey in the fire service and how he hopes to help make firefighting a little bit safer!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

• What Hosting Has Meant to Bob
• Where Bob's Next Adventure in the Fire Service Will Lead Him
• How Andy Was Introduced to the Fire Service & What Organizations He's Currently Involved In
• Future Expectations for the Podcast

ABOUT OUR HOSTS:

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.

Battalion Chief Andy Starnes works for Charlotte Fire Department and is the Founder of Insight Training. He has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1992 and as a career firefighter since 1998. He is a fire service contributor on many topics including thermal imaging, fire behavior, and terminology. Andy is also the founder of Bringing Back Brotherhood, a nonprofit organization designed to guide firefighters in the areas of behavioral health and counseling.

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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

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