Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

Ben Hess

47 years of combination experience. Life member & President of the board with Mount Mourne Fire Department, President with North Carolina Society of Fire/Rescue Instructors & recently retired Chief Of Training with Mooresville Fire-Rescue. As a child growing up Ben stated he “Played with match box cars and fire trucks”. When he was old enough he started out as an explorer with Wooster Township Fire Department in Ohio and in 1983 became a certified volunteer firefighter. Even though North Carolina is now home Ben still has ties with the Wooster organization. Before starting his full-time career in the fire service Ben was able to live out one of his dreams as a part time driver for Nascar and ARCA series. Ben would do his best work in the then ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series and ARCA Bondo-MarHyde Series, recording four wins, 6 poles, and 29 top-tens in 64 races. In 1998 Ben was hired as a career Firefighter with Mooresville Fire. Everything Ben does he puts forth the effort to make sure he achieves his goal. But what I admire about Ben is the fact that he openly talks about achieving success but at the same time with doing so the strain it can cause on personal relationships and how we need to find that balance because it happens to the best of us who truly want to be good at the job. I truly hope the listeners can pickup on the many gems and nuggets Ben drops in the interview. I truly appreciate Ben for wanting to come on, share his story and experiences for others to learn from. At the end of the day we should strive for the next generation of Firefighters to be better than us. And the only way to do so is to make sure they have the guidance and tools necessary.

Brad Creasy

30 years of combination experience. Retired Capt with The City Of Roanoke Fire-EMS on Engine 5, former Fire Chief with Bedford Fire Department who held the position for 15 years and currently State of Virginia Executive Director of Fire Programs. Was the fire service a calling for Brad? No he wanted to be in law enforcement and was fortunate to obtain that dream but after having an encounter with a Firefighter and asking “What does he have to do to get on?” Brad’s trajectory was forever changed. At the end of the day we all need to ask ourselves what do we want out of the career we’re looking to go into? We need to have drive, determination and remember above all especially working in a group setting it’s not always about us. The individuals throughout Brad’s career both volunteer and professional were able to plant that seed in him reminding it all comes down to the mission. We all should strive for obtaining goals we never thought was possible and when you hear Brad speak you will be able to clearly tell he has never forgotten that.

Ben Stalls

21 years of combination experience. Driver/Operator on Engine 2 with Durham Fire Department. His dad was a volunteer so he naturally followed that route. But it was his friends around him that exposed the path of possibly going career which got Ben intrigued. Once he was hired the mentors and individuals he was around shaped his mindset to be the Firefighter he is today. But make no mistake Ben doesn’t want to come off as being perfect. Everyday he tries to be better than the last. But what he understands is with failure comes growth and that he wants to hold himself accountable with everything he does. There were no lies told in this interview as Ben drops some nuggets and gems along the way. I truly hope you all enjoy the interview.

Chad Menard

22 years of combination experience. Deputy Chief of Operations with Madison Fire-Rescue in Northern Alabama. Chad has an older brother who was a volunteer firefighter which naturally intrigued him in learning more so he enrolled in the cadet program. After getting into the groove and finding his own way the thought of doing this full-time set in and Chad pressed forward by enrolling and obtaining all his certifications needed. In this interview Chad spoke facts and dropped some nuggets along the way for the listeners. He was very transparent on owning past mistakes but there’s no question he’s all in when it comes to how we should view the job. I hope you all can enjoy the interview because I sure enjoyed listening to Chad speak.

JD McCarley

45 years of combination experience. South Carolina Fire Academy State Region 2 Coordinator (Battalion Chief rank). JD always wanted to go down the road of law enforcement with dreams of being a State Trooper. At a very young age of 16 he joined his local volunteer fire department. What I appreciate about the interview with JD is his mindset. There’s no doubt he’s been in the game for a while to see and experience many different things. But it’s so refreshing to see and hear a man who doesn’t mind change actually JD encourages it. Just because there maybe your way to accomplish a task doesn’t mean there can’t be another route. And if so that doesn’t make you or it wrong. JD drops a few gems and nuggets along the way but also remembers it’s not about him. Where he is today was guided by the help and guidance of mentors. I truly hope you all can enjoy the interview and the message being preached.