🚨 Complacency Is Creeping In... 🚨
Have we convinced ourselves that nothing big can happen again? That regulations alone will save us?

🔥 This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Brian questions the mindset that's settling into the fire service—and we bring the perspective of someone who lived the worst-case scenario.

🎙️ Chief Deral Raynor, Incident Commander during the West Pharmaceuticals explosion in 2003, joins us to share what really happened during the 6-day incident that shook the fire service.

🗓️ New episode drops TOMORROW!
This one’s a reminder: complacency kills.

Visit

Email: thecoolfireman@gmail.com

TheCoolFireman.com for merchandise and more

Instagram: @thecoolfireman

Tiktok: @thecoolfireman

YouTube: @thecoolfireman

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#TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FirefighterPodcast #ComplacencyKills #ChiefRaynor #WestPharmaceuticalsExplosion #StayVigilant #FireLeadership #IncidentCommand #PodcastDrop #FireServiceLessons

📦 Sponsored by: Unkie Seasoning — Use code DAD25 for Father's Day!

In this episode, the crew gets off to a classic, chaotic start as Doug unboxes his latest FD Collectors Club coin live on the show. They dive deep into everything from coin girth to grocery store fire lane etiquette — yep, it gets heated. The gang debates whether fire trucks should park in the red while shopping and reacts to the viral TikTok clip that stirred up some serious comments online.

🔹 Topics Covered:

• 🔥 Unboxing FD Collectors Club coins — Houston FD & Vincennes, Indiana

• 🚒 Should firefighters park in the red at grocery stores?

• 👨‍👧‍👦 Life updates on Freddie and Nick — family, priorities, and support

• 💬 Listener feedback and social media controversy

• 🧠 Critical thinking in EMS and the importance of pre-planning

• ❤️ Why we love the job: helping people, playing with water, and the camaraderie

• 👮‍♂️ Firefighter commentary caught on bodycam – what’s too far?

• 🩺 The reality of EMS-heavy workloads in today’s fire service

• 🏥 Community paramedicine and managing frequent callers

• 🧯 The evolving role of firefighters in a changing world

🔹 Quotes of the Day:

“Fire trucks belong in fire lanes. It’s called branding.”
“Be respectful. And have an answer if someone asks.”
“Never grow up and you get to play with water — that’s the fireman life.”

The team takes a brief pause to honor fallen firefighters across the nation.

Have thoughts about parking the engine up front? Or how your department handles medical vs. fire calls? Let us know on Instagram or drop a comment on our latest TikTok post!

Memorial Day reminder to never forget why we enjoy the freedoms we do. Also, Doug’s building a massive pole barn — you’ll hear about trusses, trailers, and Facebook Marketplace deals you didn’t know you needed.

🎧 Listen Now:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your earful of firehouse banter.

🚨 Moment of Silence💬 Sound Off🔥 Closing Notes:

In this week’s episode, Matt, Doug, and Unkie get real about burnout, passion, and what it means to stay motivated in the fire service—especially after decades on the job. Doug’s allergies are flaring up, Adam’s pulling full-time dad duty, and Matt’s stuck in a hotel… but the mics are on and the conversation is solid.

The crew checks in on themselves and each other, digging into the leadership traits they admire most—and the ones they struggle with. From fading passion to professionalism, from firehouse vibes to fireground performance, it's a raw, reflective look at the human side of firefighting.

🔥 Can passion survive politics?
🔥 Does communication solve the “loud dog” problem?
🔥 Should we really be parking in the red while buying groceries?
🔥 And why is Unkie’s four-minute home rule changing the game?

Also: shoutouts to Unkie’s Seasoning, Burn Box, FD Collectors Club, and a quick dive into arson investigation training from Pinehurst.

Whether you're a rookie, a vet, or somewhere in between, this one’s for the ones trying to keep the fire lit.

Visit

Email: thecoolfireman@gmail.com

TheCoolFireman.com for merchandise and more

Instagram: @thecoolfireman

Tiktok: @thecoolfireman

YouTube: @thecoolfireman

Special Sponsors:

Unkies Seasonings https://unkiesseasoning.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopye_NRki8Ev9I4qy6ACkI3dw59rhjleSp0Bw-ilcB-lmT3M_G-

Burn Box https://www.theburnbox.com/