Firefighter Nation Podcast Network’s

Why the "Why" Is So Important

In this episode of The CAN Report, Captain Chad Criss from Austell (GA) Fire and Emergency Services opens up to host Mike Goldstein about how faith, family, and a deeply rooted desire to serve drive his firefighting career. He details how his late grandfather's community impact and a background in competitive sports shaped his dedicated, team-oriented approach to emergency response. He stresses the critical value of comprehensive EMS training—which makes up roughly 90% of department calls—and the need for leaders to invest patiently in underperforming recruits rather than passing them off to slower stations.

How to Stay Hydrated in High-Heat Incidents

Hydration is one of the most overlooked performance factors for firefighters, especially during long shifts, live fire training, and high-heat incidents. On this episode of Fueling Fire, host Megan Lautz breaks down how much fluid firefighters typically lose on the fireground, why just drinking water is not always enough, and the critical use of electrolytes for performance and recovery. She goes over building a hydration plan for a 24-hour shift, recognizing the early signs of dehydration, and what to drink before, during, and after fireground operations.   Free Recipe Book on https://www.rescuerd.com/ [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/SxQICmZzGs4V5l7CGfDcRWZKZ?domain=rescuerd.com/] Instagram and TikTok: @Rescue.RD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlautz/ [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/epEYCn5A8sB4GD1HJhBcJ7vXN?domain=linkedin.com/]

Shared Experience: Growing Up in a First Responder Family

In this episode of APS Radio, host Jim Burneka welcomes Katherine Boyle and Chris Perry to share their experiences growing up as children of first responders. Both Boyle's and Perry's fathers were big-city police officers, however, their childhoods were quite different from one another. Boyle notes how her family kept the job as background noise, whereas Perry grew up with an awareness of the aftermath of a line-of-duty death.

Trouble Sleeping? Help is on the Way

Does your sleep schedule need help? Brandon Dreiman from ProTeam Wellness joins hosts Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux to discuss sleep wellness for episode 20 of We Can't Believe They Gave Us a Show. During their discussion, they break down practical, evidence‑based sleep strategies for first responders. They cover how common sedatives and sleep aids affect REM and deep sleep, the promise of dual orexin receptor antagonist (aka DORA) drugs, and where CBD fits into the scenario. Dreiman shares his expertise on sleep challenges faced by first responders, discusses sleep architecture, and shares recommendations for alternative therapies like cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia.

What Is Toxic Culture? And What Can Your Department Do About It?

Dr. Candace Ashby, a battalion chief for the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department. joins Mike Goldstein on The C.A.N. Report to tackle toxic culture in all its forms. They look at the "10% vs 90%" problem, informal leadership, accountability, and management vs. leadership. They also discuss officer development, psychological safety, and practical steps chiefs and company officers can take now. Ashby explains why frontline officers hold the most power to shape culture. She also touches on where training and promotion systems fail and how small, consistent interventions move organizations forward. The episode includes peer support resources and advice on building trust.