Firehouse

Peter Matthews sits down with longtime Firehouse contributors John J. Lewis Jr. and Robert Moran, who have been named Firehouse’s Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The two reflect on their fire service careers, Lewis retiring as a lieutenant and Moran as a fire chief.   The two, known as The Jersey Guys, entered the fire service Northern New Jersey and had lengthy careers in both volunteer and career fire services as well as two decades of instructing and writing.   From close calls and the incident that led them to begin teaching firefighters, to advice for new firefighters, those seeking promotions and rising to the rank of chief, they share nuggets from across their career while looking back on major incidents and milestones with their time at Firehouse.com.2  Resources  * Jersey Guys Fire Service Training [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/11622780/robert-moran] * John J. Lewis Firehouse.com contributor page [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/11622781/john-j-lewis] * Robert Moran Firehouse.com contributor page [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/11622780/robert-moran]

Peter Matthews sits down with Chief Tom Jenkins to discuss the latest developments with the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) and what fire departments should expect as NFIRS is phased out in 2026.   Jenkins breaks down how departments can begin the transition, outlines timelines, and how more than a dozen records management systems have already been approved to integrate with NERIS, paving the way for more seamless, platform-based data sharing.  The expanded capabilities of NERIS, include critical time stamps, resource tracking, and a broader range of incident types and actions.   This new data sets allow fire departments to identity emerging trends that they can respond to, including risk reduction strategies, response methods and more. The data, Jenkins says, allows departments to tell their story.  With data integrity so important in 2025, Matthews discusses why that mindset prompted Firehouse to reevaluate our annual run survey publications.  Resources  * National Emergency Response Information System [https://neris.fsri.org/] * NERIS Onboarding [https://neris.fsri.org/onboarding] * Infographic: NERIS Essentials: What You Need to Know [https://www.firehouse.com/technology/fire-service-data/document/55280793/neris-essentials-what-you-need-to-know?preview-mode=true] * Research Corner: NERIS—Firefighting Data in the Digital Age [https://www.firehouse.com/technology/article/55092211/neris-firefighting-in-the-digital-age]

Peter Matthews talks with Assistant Chief Steve Baker of the Plymouth, MN, Fire Department about how fire service delivery has evolved in his region.   Baker shares how the transition from volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters to combination and full-time agencies has led to faster responses and more efficient operations. He highlights the role of regionalized training, inter-agency collaboration, and a consistent command system in driving progress.   Baker emphasizes that lean staffing continues to limit departments from reaching their full potential and both current and future leaders need to understand the mandatory overtime and long work hours will take a serious toll on the next generation of the fire service.    Resources  * MN Public Safety Agencies Partner for Active Shooter Training [https://www.firehouse.com/ems/news/53077239/mn-public-safety-agencies-partner-for-active-shooter-training]

Peter Matthews talks with Rob Policht, a lieutenant with Passaic, NJ, Fire Department and one of the guys between Flow and Vent, about the state of today’s fire service and how a podcast he was on with a former Navy SEAL changed some of his approach to the fire service.   As a young officer, Policht provides his perspective on bridging the gap across multiple generations in the station. From bringing new members to the crew to understand operations and history, to ensuring all members are engaged in training to build a cohesive unit, Policht says crews need to have trust and respect for each other.  Reflecting on his podcast with U.S. Navy SEAL Drago Dzieran, he talks about the differences and similarities between the firefighters and SEALs, plus the paramilitary approach to fire departments and the SEAL’s thoughts on the fire service.  Resources  * Robert Policht’s bio and contributor page [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/53058336/robert-policht]  * Personality Behind the Profile: Flow and Vent [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/53058336/robert-policht%22%EF%B7%9FHYPERLINK%20%22https://www.firehouse.com/careers-education/article/55263758/personality-behind-the-profile-flow-and-vent] * Flow and Vent podcast: Navy Seals and Firefighters with Drago Dzieran [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-50-navy-seals-and-firefighters-with-drago-dzieran/id1370245924?i=1000679709942] * Flow and Vent website [https://flowandvent.com/] * Flow and Vent Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/flowandvent/] * Flow and Vent Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/flowandvent/] * Webinar: Mastering SCBA Skills for Firefighters [https://www.firehouse.com/webcasts/webinar/55166374/firefighter-turnout-gear-globe-manufacturing-webinar-mastering-scba-skills-for-firefighters]

Peter Matthews talks with Jacob Gates, a lead instructor at the Ohio Fire Academy, about the need to stay relevant while instructing multiple generations of the fire service and staying up-to-date strategies and tactics.   Gates, who also serves with Mifflin Township Division of Fire in Gahanna, OH and the Falls Township, OH, Fire Department explains some of the changes he has witnessed as teaching styles evolve and recruit/member learning styles change. He shares advice to help the next generation of fire instructors prepare for their roles and why instructors always need to be freshening up their skills.  Gates, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Brent, also addresses family at the station and at home. He explains the importance of prioritizing the importance of your family at home.  Resources  * Jacob Gates’ bio and contributor page [https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/55000811/jacob-gates]