This week, the crew is back at the kitchen table – and while Brian is away, Matt, Doug, and Unkie dive deep into what firemen talk about inside the engine, from banter to serious pre-call game plans.

We kick things off with a little parlay talk (Doug’s gambling, not the French kind), some seasoning chat (support UnkieSeasoning.com!), and housekeeping. But the real heat comes when we get into what happens when the tones drop.

In This Episode:

• 🚒 What firefighters really talk about in the engine

• 🧠 The importance of planning en route and reviewing game plans

• 🧯 First five minutes: why they matter more than anything

• 🔥 Doug’s recent structure fire run – what went right, how the setup worked, and lessons learned

• 🤝 Why experience builds trust – and how the phrase “Go to work” sets the tone

• 💪 Train more, think ahead, work smoother

• 😂 Mailbag (aka Snail Mail) brings in some killer food tips and Spotify love

• ✈️ A surprising detour into aerodynamics, whiskey rankings, and a little Payne Stewart nostalgia

• 🎧 Shout-outs to Rhett, Becky, and the FD Collectors Club

This is one of those episodes that blends laughs with legit insight. Whether you're on your first shift or your last year, this one will hit home.

🎙️ Quote of the Week:
“Our job’s not that hard… but the first five minutes of every call are everything.” – Matt

📌 Subscribe, comment, and tell Becky she’s slacking!
🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #Episode120 #FireEngineTalk #FirefighterTraining #GoToWork #FirstFiveMinutes #UnkieSeasoning #FDCollectorsClub #FireServiceCulture #KitchenTableTalk #MomentOfSilence

This week, it’s just Brian and Adam (aka Unki) holding down The Cool Fireman Podcast kitchen table while Doug and Matt are on duty. The topic? Food—our favorite firehouse meals, family go-tos, recipe wins, and even a few epic fails.

Brian shares highlights from a year of his recipes featured in the Burn Box and announces that Unki will be taking over as the Burn Box recipe guy for the next 12 months. The two swap their top three dishes loved at home and in the firehouse, discuss cooking techniques for brisket, pork butt, breakfast spreads, and easy griddle favorites, and debate everything from smash burgers to fat caps.

You’ll also hear:

• Brisket prep, smoking tips, and rest time debates.

• Why pork butt might be the most versatile cut for the firehouse table.

• The beauty (and danger) of breakfast casseroles and quiches.

• Unique dishes like easy cheesy shrimp sandwiches and quesadillas for a crowd.

• Hamloaf gone wrong, alligator done right, and cow tongue redemption.

• Unexpected flavor combos that actually work—yes, even cheese whiz & pico on a hot dog.

Call to Action:
Drop a comment with your firehouse favorite and your family’s go-to dinner. Bonus points if it’s something quick, affordable, and firehouse-friendly.

Sponsors:
🔥 Unki’s Seasoning – Elevate your meals with seasoning blends that work for home and the firehouse.
🔥 Burn Box – This month’s FD Collector’s Club features another exclusive shirt and gear drop.

#FirehouseCooking #FirefighterLife #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceCulture #BurnBox

The Cool Fireman Podcast crew is together in person at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh, NC! This year’s special guest is keynote speaker Sam Massa, founder of FireTech and HiViz LED Lighting, back for another powerful conversation one year after his first appearance.

We dive into Sam’s incredible journey—from small beginnings and a failed business to dominating the fire apparatus lighting market and speaking on the main stage. Sam shares lessons on leadership, integrity, resilience, and why putting the customer first is at the heart of FireTech’s success.

You’ll hear stories from his early days in biofuels, the “lost shipment” UPS hustle, challenging industry norms (like the FireTech Brow Light), and how courage, commitment, and community guide his work. The crew also talks about the importance of legacy, not giving up, and asking “why” in the fire service.

In This Episode:

• Live from SAFRE 2025 – the energy, the people, and the North Carolina fire service community.

• Sam Massa’s path from side hustles to FireTech industry leadership.

• Lessons learned from business failure and how they shaped a customer-first approach.

• Why asking “why” can change the fire service (and lead to better fire truck designs).

• Balancing growth, inventory, and staying lean in a competitive market.

• The three C’s: Courage, Commitment, Community.

• How business can be a tool for good in the fire service.

If you’ve ever wanted insight into innovation in the fire industry, how to build something from the ground up, and how to keep integrity at the forefront, this is an episode you can’t miss.

🎧 Listen now – and check out Sam’s work at FireTech and join the FireTech Squad on Facebook for more.

#SAFRE #FireTech #FirefighterPodcast #FireServiceLeadership #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FireServiceInnovation