Peter Matthews talks with Jeremy Blair and Courtney Hull about a unique program that prepares high school seniors to become firefighters through Waukesha County Technical College in Wisconsin.

The two share how fire departments can better connect with Gen Z recruits by rethinking education and engagement through recruitment. Blair explains why today’s students want to feel part of something bigger and why teaching methods must evolve. Hull offers insight into adolescent brain development and why vulnerability-based trust is essential for building strong future firefighters.

Related links:

• Don’t Blame the Lettuce! Developing the Next Generation of First Responders
• Waukesha County Technical College: Fire and EMS Training Center
• Plugged In

Peter Matthews sits down with Assistant Chief Steve Baker to discuss the mental health challenges firefighters face, and the life-changing events of a single day in 2019 that reshaped his journey.

With two decades in emergency services, Baker shares how he reached a breaking point, what he discovered when he took a hard look at the “rocks” weighing down his backpack, and how he began shedding those rocks while rebuilding himself. He outlines five key steps that everyone can use to take care of themselves and his reflection offers valuable lessons for anyone in the fire service who is carrying more than just their gear.

Related links:

• The Firehouse Yak: Steve Baker - Pushing Beyond the Status Quo in the Fire Service

Peter Matthews talks with Battalion Chief Michael Dozier of The Company Officer about the deep-rooted cultural challenges facing today’s fire departments.

Dozier starts by breaking down what “culture” truly means in the fire service and how departments across the country, at every rank, are struggling with communication, trust, and aligning expectations. He explains how key points contribute to cohesive teams, and what firefighters at each rank can do to maintain accountability and strengthen commitment.

The podcast also explores the unwritten rules that influence daily operations, including those that help firefighters succeed—and those that create barriers. Dozier closes by sharing how regional differences, especially in areas like his where many firefighters are transplants, further shape the way culture is built and sustained.