Welcome back to The Cool Fireman Podcast! In this episode, Freddie makes his glorious return to the mic—and it’s pure gold from the jump.

✅ What’s Inside This Episode:

👨‍🚒 Freddie’s Return
• The crew celebrates Freddie’s comeback (with very gentle Canadian detention jokes)
• The usual banter—gray mustache tips, PB&J wisdom, and why Unkie’s Seasoning is the gift for every firehouse cook

🔥 Sponsor Shoutouts
• Unkie Seasoning – Get your grill game right. Garlic & Herb? Chipotle? They love you back.
• The Burn Box – Doug gives a top-tier unboxing of this month’s firefighter-themed goodies, including their all-in-one koozie/tumbler (with a built-in bottle opener!).

🌊 Special Assignments & 4th of July Staffing
• How different departments prep for fireworks, floods, and wild weather
• Real talk about regional and state-level rescue teams: USAR, Swiftwater, HazMat, Tech Rescue
• The truth about upstaffing for fireworks shows and population booms

⚠️ Texas Flash Flood Disaster
• Discussing the devastating flash floods that hit kids' camps in Texas
• The challenges of sudden water rise, rescues, and National Guard deployments
• Real-time reflections on how fast tragedy can hit

🚑 Firehouse Culture: Safety and Situational Awareness
• The Idaho firefighter ambush tragedy: why situational awareness matters
• Wearing ballistic vests on calls—why more departments are investing in them
• How past tragedies shaped incident command, response protocols, and safety policies

🎯 Pro Tips for New Firefighters
• How to pick a department that offers specialized teams (USAR, HazMat, Swiftwater)
• What to ask in interviews—don’t just say "No questions"!
• The value of station visits and learning from every experience

🕯️ Moment of Silence
• The crew pauses to honor victims of the Texas disaster, fallen firefighters, and those lost in the line of duty.

👥 Callouts & Community
• Big thanks to listeners who comment, share, and help the podcast grow.
• The team discusses the importance of spreading awareness and supporting fundraisers.

🎙️ Join the Conversation!
✔️ Drop a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
✔️ Ask us your firefighter career questions—we’ll answer them on air.
✔️ Help us grow by sharing, rating, and reviewing.

🔥 Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Watch on YouTube!
👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for behind-the-scenes banter, gear unboxings, and more firehouse stories.

firefighting, Texas floods, firefighter safety, emergency response, podcast, fire department, community service, special assignments, interview tips, firefighter training