Leaving Central Station

Station Seven Stories

This episode, Country takes us inside life at Station 7 — sharing stories from the calls that stuck with him most. From intense medical emergencies to unforgettable fire scenes, this conversation dives into the side of the job people do not always hear about. A lot of the episode focuses on patient care, the pressure of medical calls, and the human moments that come with the job. Some stories are funny, some are intense, and some still stay with him years later. It is an honest look at what day-to-day life was really like at Station 7 and the experiences that shaped him along the way.

Leaving Central Station

This one starts on a heavy note. We lost James Sledge—an Old Timer who taught Fire School alongside Country. One of those guys everyone respected, not just for what he knew, but for how he carried himself. We never got the chance to sit down with him for this podcast, and that hurts a little more in moments like this. From there, it turns into memories of Country’s last shifts at Central, a short stop at Four’s, and then the move out East of the River.  Country always figured he’d end up back at Central. Spoiler Alert…He didn’t

“The House was Puffing”

A house that looked like it was breathing. In this episode, Country walks you through one of the most intense calls of his career, a rare backdraft in Austin, Texas. As the house started “puffing,” everyone on scene knew exactly what it meant. No one had to say a word. Training took over, and so did trust. We also get into what life looked like around that time, from a boys trip to Cozumel and diving stories, to stepping into leadership as a Lieutenant and filling in as Captain at Central Station. It’s one of those episodes that really shows what the job is like in the moment, and what stays with you long after it’s over.

Hazmat is Fun and Always Wear Clean Underwear

“Hazmat is Fun and Always Wear Clean Underwear” might get a laugh, but for Country, it holds more truth than you’d expect. In this episode, we follow his path to becoming a lieutenant at Central Station. He walks through the process, the studying, and what it really takes to step into a leadership role. But the job has a way of testing you when you least expect it. An unexpected hazmat call on Congress Ave in Austin, Tx turns an ordinary day into something else entirely. What starts off routine quickly shifts, and before it’s over, it leads to full decontamination… and yes, stripping down right there on scene. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you prepare, you still have to meet the moment when it comes. Along the way, Country shares a few other calls and the kind of lessons that only come from doing the job for real. Because sometimes the simplest advice is the kind you carry with you forever.

Mutual Mutual Aid

Every Texas flooding season brought danger to low water crossings. During one downpour weekend, Dad was working the dive van and swiftwater boat for Austin when they got a call from Thorndale—over an hour and 40 minutes away—for mutual mutual  aid. A car was trapped with an elderly couple inside. Dad and two others crewed the van and went to help. They acted fast, worked as a team, and successfully rescued the couple. What started as a routine call led to something extraordinary. They had intended to submit their names for an AFD watch, but the chief went above and beyond—and awarded them a Medal of Valor. Episode 12, Mutual Mutual Aid, is full of heroism, tension, and Dad showing how he stays calm and capable under pressure.