Before They're Gone

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.

The Saudi Chapter

In 1991, after the Kuwait War, Dad had the opportunity to go to Saudi Arabia to help with a major oil spill. It wasn’t something he had planned. He had to get special permission from the chief to go, and he had no idea how long he’d be gone. What followed were long days in the desert, unexpected challenges, and stories I had never heard before. Things shifted. Plans changed. And like always, Dad adapted. This episode is dramatic at times, surprisingly funny at others, and gives a glimpse into a chapter of his life that feels almost unreal now. He left for Saudi Arabia not knowing what to expect. He came home and somehow ended up playing for the AFD Flames football team. From halfway across the world back to Texas, this one is about saying yes, figuring it out, and stepping up when you’re needed.