Prepared To Fight Fire Podcast

EP. 63 MODEL THE BEHAVIOR FT. Chief Freddie Fernandez

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Chief Freddie, a decorated fire service leader with over 31 years in the City of Miami Department of Fire Rescue. From his early days as a firefighter-paramedic to serving as Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, Freddie’s career is defined by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to training the next generation. He’s played a key role in major city projects, developed strategies to modernize Miami Fire Rescue, and has trained thousands of firefighters across the country. Tune in as Chief Freddie shares lessons on leadership, service, and the lifelong pursuit of excellence in the fire service.

EP. 62 FLIP THE SWITCH FT. Frankie the greek

Send us a textIn this engaging conversation, Frankie shares his transformative journey from living an average life to embracing a mindset of excellence. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to flip the switch in his life, the importance of commitment to change, and the value of patience in achieving long-term goals. The discussion also delves into his evolution as a runner, highlighting how he overcame initial reluctance and developed a passion for the sport. Throughout the conversation, Frankie emphasizes the mental benefits of running and the importance of facing challenges head-on, ultimately finding solace in the process of movement.

EP. 61 FUELING THE FIREFIGHTER Ft. Justin Burch

Send us a textJustin Burch is a career firefighter with 9 years on the job, currently serving with Oak Ridge Fire Department. Cutting his teeth in the fire service after a 10 year career as a Professional Chef. Outside of the firehouse he’s a certified Nutrition Coach, helping firefighters build sustainable eating habits, so they can perform better both on and off the job. A graduate of both the Georgia Smoke Diver Program, and Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S., he is an advocate for education around firefighter health and wellness.In this conversation, Justin Burch shares his unique journey from being a classically trained chef to becoming a firefighter and nutrition coach. He discusses the importance of nutrition in the fire service, the cultural resistance to dietary changes, and practical approaches to meal planning. Justin emphasizes the significance of understanding macros and calories, coaching strategies for firefighters, and the role of mentorship in personal growth. He also reflects on the challenges of training for smoke diver programs and the reality of firefighter training, concluding with insights about his initiative, Fire Bytes, which merges culinary skills with nutrition coaching.

EP. 60 HIGH STANDARDS, STRONG CULTURE FT. Chris Tennyson

Send us a textChief Chris Tennyson has spent 25 years in the fire service, shaping the culture of training, resilience, and leadership. From contracting in Iraq to serving with the Charleston Fire Department and now as Deputy Chief of Training at Summerville Fire-Rescue, Chris has dedicated his career to raising the standard for firefighters. A Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S. and Smoke Diver graduate, FDIC HOT Instructor, and passionate advocate for mental health.In this episode, Chief Chris Tennyson shares his 25-year journey in the fire service, highlighting the impact of programs like Georgia F.L.A.M.E.S. and Smoke Diver. He opens up about resilience, leadership, and mental health—calling firefighters to push their limits, support one another, and uphold the highest standards of the profession.

EP. 59 MAKING GOOD FIREFIGHTERS BETTER FT. Eric Haskins

Send us a textIn this episode, Eric Haskins shares his unique journey from a professional snowboarder to a dedicated firefighter. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the transformative experience of the Smoke Divers program, and the value of building confidence through adversity. The conversation emphasizes the significance of leading by example, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and mastering the basics to achieve professionalism in the fire service.Eric Haskins is a Senior Firefighter and Acting Captain with Nampa Fire, Idaho’s first Georgia Smoke Diver, and founder of Firehouse Strength & Conditioning. A former U.S. Project Gold snowboarder and Boise State hockey captain, he’s now a leading voice in firefighter fitness, co-creator of the Firefighter Physical Fitness Test, and host of the Firehouse S&C Podcast.follow Eric on instagram @firehouse_sc