Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths, Aviation Crashes & FDNY Leadership Controversy | tED & Tactics Ep. 2

In Episode 2 of tED & Tactics, Ian and Spray Nine break down current events shaping the fire service, mixing real fireground experience with honest, unfiltered discussion.

This episode covers:

• A recent midair helicopter collision and what aviation crash response really looks like for firefighters - https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/two-pilots-killed-after-helicopters-collided-in-new-jersey-are-identified/4324211/

• Firefighter occupational cancer being officially recognized as a Line of Duty Death and why this matters nationwide - https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/12/klobuchar-and-cramer-s-honoring-our-fallen-heroes-act-heads-to-the-president-s-desk

• The controversy surrounding FDNY leadership appointments and fire service credibility - https://nypost.com/2025/12/27/us-news/elon-musk-slams-mamdanis-fdny-commissioner-pick-over-lack-of-experience-people-will-die

• Fireground command, arriving assignments, and adapting tactics in real time

• Physical fitness vs functional fitness in the fire service

• Volunteer fire department staffing struggles and culture change - https://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer-fire-service/well-be-waiting-for-the-call-reorganized-all-volunteer-ind-fd-ready-for-calls

From aviation incidents to policy decisions, this episode focuses on what firefighters are actually dealing with—on and off the fireground.

🚒 tED & Tactics is a weekly podcast focused on fire service current events, tactics, leadership, and the hard conversations others avoid.

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