weekly scrap

The killer line-up of 2024 guests continues this episode with Jon-Eric Johnson, and I had a blast with this conversation. We discuss the four stages of competency. Leading as a young officer, understanding crew identity. And of course as always the direction of the Scrap was ultimately determined by the audience as they tuned in live and threw so many great questions at us!  Enjoy!!!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Clyde Gordon. If you don't love this man, it is only because you do not know him. I was excited for this conversation and he completely blew those expectations out of the water.  Of course we talked about training, and discuss the lessons he has learned over the years. As always the best laid plans of the Scrap were taken over by the always awesome audience and their questions.

Joined on this episode by one of the all time greats in the fire service. We have discuss so much, starting with experience and decision making, the critical role of leadership in high stress situations. Adaptability and resiliency... and that of course all went out the window as soon as the audience started asking their great questions.  It was a great interview, and Chief Salka crushed the questions, including one of my all time favorite answers to the 5th question!  Enjoy the episode!

Joined on this episode by none other than my brother Bassel Ibrahim, to talk about one bad tour. Thinking outside the box. How to have a playbook, but remain flexible. Resiliency and taking on challenges. How to deal with crew rotation, especially when it is for positive reasons. How to develop a bench, and the difference between qualified and certified... it was amazing discussions, and that does not even begin to touch on everything the audience threw at Bassel and he crushed in answering! 

Very special guest Anthony Avillo on this episode of the Scrap! Topics include the new edition of his Fireground Strategies book, with new topics to cover such as Active Shooter command considerations, civil disturbance, lithium ion incidents... not to mention the wealth of knowledge that is his experience- plus all the audience threw our way!

Joined by the one and only Mike Salzano for this 196th episode of the Weekly Scrap. We discuss his keys to success for officers, earning respect, developing others, communication, size-up... and as always, the audience decided to throw so many questions into the mix! It was an amzong scrap!

Joined on this episode by JJ Cassetta to discuss all things fire! We plan to discuss his journey and the all of the people that have impacted him in his fire service career. We talked buffing, and photos, and training.  Of course everything that the audience threw our way! Was an awesome Scrap.

Joined by the one and only Todd Edwards. Excited to talk to him about developing a size-up mindset, fire tactics, training philosophy, incorporating family into the fire life and as always everything that the audience threw at us! Was very excited for this one, and it did not dissapoint!

Joined by none other than Bob Pressler himself to focus on talking about the basics, a little about nozzles, VES, and the current mindset, how long do we have to make firefighters... and of course everything that the amazing live audience threw our way. If you were there live, you already know how great it was!  Enjoy!!!!!!

Joined by the incomparable Chis Naum to discuss so much about the fireground. We talked about the impact of the built environment on todays fireground decision making, the FACTS "First-Arriving, Construction, Tactics, Safety" Tactical windows of Operations, and so much more. Then of course everything the audience threw our way! It was a very good episode, with tons of information to b gleaned!

Joined on this episode by Derek Roberts, and it lived up to the promise! We  discussed how to teach new people, the challenges of changing culture from the bottom up, Fire Behavior and engine operations... and of course that is just what was planned and does not include the audience taking over with their questions and discussion!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Kevin McCart. We had a blast as we discussed the proper mindset that leads to success on the fireground, the rule of 3's, Accidental Success, Elimination of Variables- comfort and it's effect on growth- and if you know the Scrap, you know the audience took over and asked a lot of leadership and culture questions!  What a great Scrap!

Ryan McCormick is dealing with the Tornado damage from this weekends storms, so Adam Maiers of Brothers in Battle, and Engine Zero was gracious enough to step in! We talk engine work, Search, Training, and Engine Zero... plus everything the audience brought to the table!

Joined by my brother from another mother, mi hermano, the incomparable Rob Ramirez. We are going to talk Mayday Mindset, approaches to training, getting in knife fights in elevators, and of course making yourself hard to kill. It is going to be Varisty AF!!! All this plus what the audience decides to throw our way.

Joined on this episode by the incomparable Frank Leeb to discuss... wind driven fires, the recent 5th Alarm Brooklyn fire, safety and aggressive firefighting, how process drives outcomes, backdrafts, smoke explosions, and over pressurization... all of this plus all the curve balls the audience threw our way!  Was an amazing Scrap... enjoy!

Joined by the host of the Couplings Fire podcast Taylor Anderson to have an amazing Scrap! We talk about directing your passion, dealing with villains, communication, imposter syndrome and that is just what was planned...it doesn't include what the audience brought to the table! What an awesome show!!!

Joined on this episode by the one and only Cody Trestrail to discuss being passionate for the fire service and the adversity that must be overcome. It was an excellent and inspiring scrap and I have been looking forward to having Cody on for quite some time. Unbelievably good time! Enjoy!

It's the return of Grant Schwalbe, Facebook would not let his original scrap happen, but he is back! Was an awesome conversation. I have already borrowed (stolen) so much from Grant, and I look forward to even more! The audience showed up as always and brought amazing questions. Enjoy! 

Joined by Benjamin Martin to go deep diving into the psychology of leadership. Group culture, motivation, and whatever rabbit holes we can find to dive into. As always, the show was driven by the awesome questions from the audience.

Joined on this episode by Joe Wisz, aka Driver Joe!  Was an awesome episode as we dove into the transition from Volly to FDNY, the traditions along the way, and all of the transitions in his career. He talked about the responsibilities of the senior man, and the honor and traditions of the fire service. The audience was amazing as always, with the on point questions!