The Forward Firefighter
by Dan Retzlaff
Latest episode
47 - From Suppression to Prevention: Community Risk Reduction with…
47 - From Suppression to Prevention: Community Risk Reduction with…
About this podcast
Hello and welcome to The Forward Firefighter Podcast. Here, you can listen to discussions with volunteer firefighters in Wisconsin and across the nation - hear their stories, learn about the communities they serve, and what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter. The Forward Firefighter, working together to save lives and protect property in our communities.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the individuals on this podcast do not represent the official policy, or position of any employers and organizations the speaker and participants are associated with.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 48 episodes
- 47 - From Suppression to Prevention: Community Risk Reduction with "Fireman Kenny" Asselin · 51 min · Season 3 Episode 47In Episode 47 of The Forward Firefighter Podcast, host of The Fireman Kenny Podcast, Kenny Asselin, joins Dan for an in-depth conversation on public safety and education. Kenny…
- 46 - From Tragedy to Innovation: How a Rescue Performed by a Rural Minnesota Volunteer Department Sparked Innovative Grain Bin Rescue Tactics and Equipment · 57 min · Season 3 Episode 46When a call came in for a farmer buried up to his chin in 20,000 bushels of grain, the Gibbon Fire and Rescue Department faced an extraordinary challenge. With only four initial…
- 45 - JD DuCharme: Fireground Speed, Trust, and Firehouse Culture · 57 minOperational speed on the fireground does not start when the tones drop. It is built long before the alarm sounds. This episode explores the direct link between a department's…
- 44 - Wisconsin Firefighter of the Year: Teamwork and Humility · 52 min · Season 3 Episode 44In this episode, Dan sits down with Chief Ron Wegner of the Jefferson, Wisconsin Fire Department. Chief Wegner is the latest recipient of the Wisconsin State Firefighters…
- 43 - Remembering Your "Why" with Chief David Rhodes · 55 min · Season 3 Episode 43Remembering Your "Why": Mastering the Basics, the Crucial Role of the Company Officer, and Building a High Performance Culture with Chief David Rhodes When your department faces…
- 42 - Beyond the Pump Panel with Eric Johnson · 57 min · Season 3 Episode 42Beyond the Pump Panel: Mastering the Role of the Motor Pump Operator In this episode, Dan chats with Chief Eric Johnson, a 40 year veteran of the Wisconsin fire service and…
- 41 - From High School Cadet to FIre Science Student: Bridging the Gap Between Technical Education and Real World Experience. · 57 min · Season 3 Episode 41In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Adam Vapnar, a 19-year-old who is rapidly bridging the gap between being a high school cadet and a high-caliber fire…
- 40 - Navigating the Frontlines of HAZMAT with Beth McCormick · 53 min · Season 3 Episode 40What happens when 6,000 gallons of gasoline vanish into a river, or a common garage spill leads to a house demolition? This week, Dan sits down with Beth McCormick, President of…
- 39 - Your EV Fire Playbook: Tactics, Tools, and Lithium-Ion Safety with Paul Shoemaker · 1 h 2 min · Season 4 Episode 39In this episode, we’re diving deep into the modern fireground with Paul Shoemaker, founder of the Next Level Training Network, to build your EV Fire Playbook. As electric…
- 38 - Challenging Fireground Assumptions with Captain Nick Ledin. · 49 min · Season 3 Episode 38I am kicking off 2026 with Captain Nick Ledin from the Eau Claire Wisconsin Fire Department. I'm talking with him about his fire service journey, ECFD operations, and some…
- 37 - Volunteer Firefighting: It's a Family Affair · 55 min · Season 3 Episode 37Dan is joined by two fantastic guests, Jordan and Leah Crave! Both are dedicated firefighters on the Columbus Wisconsin Fire Department. Now two years into their journey, they…
- 36 - The Best of Us. Filmmaker Ben Cook and Chief Matt Boulding on the documentary featuring the Cornell Volunteer Fire Department · 49 min · Season 3 Episode 36Join Dan for a conversation with the creative force behind the documentary "The Best of Us," Emmy award-winning editor Ben Cook, and the man at the center of the film, Chief Matt…
- 35 - Masking Up With Your Gloves On: Beyond the Minimum with Captain Mike Bernard from Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department in Wisconsin · 1 h 2 min · Season 3 Episode 35In this episode on The Forward Firefighter Podcast, Dan sits down with Captain/Training Officer Mike Bernard (Arbor Vitae Fire & Rescue) an Instructor with Midwest Fire Tactics…
- 34 - Firefighter Syndrome: Dr. Chris Frueh on Understanding the Cost and Finding the Solutions · 52 min · Season 3 Episode 34In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Dr. Chris Frueh, a clinical psychologist, professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and leading expert on the…
- 33 - Mastering the Craft: Jeff Rothmeier on Tactics, Brotherhood, and the Firefighter Mindset · 1 h 9 minIn this powerful episode of The Forward Firefighter, I welcome Jeff Rothmeier—career firefighter, decorated combat veteran, and author of Mastering the Craft. With two decades of…
- 32 - We Are All One Team: Assistant Chief April Hammond on Culture, Care, and Administrative Codes · 57 min · Season 3 Episode 32In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I talk with April Hammond, Assistant Chief of the Cottage Grove Fire Department and DSPS Integrated Section Chief. April shares an…
- 31 - Prepared to Perform: Vehicle Extrication with Chief Chris Dallas · 54 min · Season 3 Episode 31In this episode of The Forward Firefighter, I sit down with Chief Chris Dallas of the Valders Fire Department in Wisconsin. Chief Dallas shares insights into his department’s…
- 30 - Wisconsin MABAS: Incident Planning for Mutual Aid Strategies · 54 min · Season 3 Episode 30In this episode, we delve into the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) with three distinguished guests: Tim Haas, Fire Services Coordinator for Wisconsin Emergency Management…
- 29 - Marc Hill on his latest book, Read Before You Lead · 1 h 6 min · Season 3 Episode 29In this episode, I welcome back Marc Hill to talk about his second book, Read Before You Lead. Learn from Marc as we discuss his experience becoming a new fire chief for a…
- 28 - Fighting Wildfires in Wisconsin, Strategies and Support from the Wisconsin DNR with Brooke Hushagen · 42 min · Season 3 Episode 28In this episode, I talk with Brooke Hushagen, a Forestry Technician at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ranger Station in Poynette, Wisconsin. Brooke shares…
