Stephen Runyan, aka Tommy Gunn, is coming back to The Scrap, and this one is going to be loaded... again!
With more than 20 years in the fire service, Stephen has dedicated his career to developing firefighters, challenging conventional thinking, and sharing the lessons he's learned from some of the best mentors in the profession.

A Georgia Smoke Diver, FDIC H.O.T. Class Specialist, Wichita Fire Department Hiring Coordinator, and Wichita HOT Board Member and Instructor, Stephen has become a respected instructor in the fire service, teaching firefighters across the country and helping shape the way many approach the job.

If you've seen Stephen teach or heard him speak before, you already know he isn't afraid to challenge the way we think. He deep dives into his peptide journey and explains where it started and what he has learned along the way. .. there is no shortage of great information.

As always, the audience helps drive the conversation, so get ready, as we head down whatever rabbit hole the live chat takes us.

Episode 362 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-Tite Hose and Fire Station Furniture.

Joined on this episode by my friend, the one and only Dana Larkin!

Dana currently serves as Battalion Chief with Camano Island Fire & Rescue, leading C-Shift while overseeing the department's training division. From starting as a volunteer in 2001 to becoming one of the driving forces behind firefighter development, Dana has spent years building firefighters, officers, and future leaders.

Beyond his department, Dana founded the Cascade F.O.O.L.S. chapter in 2019, served four years as Chapter President, and now serves as Treasurer for F.O.O.L.S. International. His passion for the fire service, leadership, and training has made him a respected voice across the country.

This conversation is going to be packed, so get your notebooks and pens ready! We'll be discussing what F.O.O.L.S. really stands for, why membership and getting involved matter, and why every firefighter should make it a priority to attend conferences and get outside of their own bubble. We'll also dive into the leadership epidemic of micromanagement, how to build leaders before you need them, why succession planning is often overlooked, and why so many organizations are focused on recruitment while neglecting retention. We'll also tackle how we may be unintentionally creating imposter syndrome in the academy, why hearing the same message from a different voice can completely change someone's perspective, how the Task–Tactic–Strategy model can help develop better officers, and why simply talking to people, sharing ideas, and learning from others can have such a profound impact on both your career and your department. If time allows, we'll also get into lessons Dana has learned from training hundreds of firefighters, leading live-fire instruction, developing cadets, and how his journey through F.O.O.L.S. changed the trajectory of both his career and his outlook on the fire service.

As always, the live audience helps drive the discussion, and we gladly head down whatever rabbit hole their questions take us.

Episode 361 made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-Tite Hose - IdentiFire - Flame Decon

Joined on this episode by the one and only Steve Prziborowski, retired Deputy Chief with the Santa Clara County Fire Department who continues to shape the fire service as an instructor with Chabot College and the National Fire Academy. A respected mentor to many, Steve spends much of his time coaching and developing firefighters and officers at all ranks.

Steve has spoken across the country, authored multiple career development books, and has become a recognized voice in the fire service on leadership, succession planning, and preparing the next generation of fire service professionals.

On this episode, we will get into what it truly means to be here for "them", the people we serve and the people we lead. We will discuss building and maintaining relationships, mentoring, passing the baton to those coming behind us, and why every firefighter is both a leader and a follower regardless of rank.

We will also dive into leadership versus management, strategic versus tactical thinking, and why understanding the expectations of the ranks above you matters, even if promotion is not part of your plan. Which will lead us right into promotion... why not everyone needs to promote, and why those who choose that path should do it for the right reasons.

The live audience helps drive the discussion and we dive down all the rabbit holes their questions open up!

Episode 360 made possible by our incredible sponsors: FireStationFurniture.com - Snap-Tite Hose - and Flame Decon

Joined on this episode by my man Brandon Chapman! Brandon is the Co-Founder and Instructor of GRIT Fire Training LLC, Driver on Truck 17 in the City of Pittsburgh, Assistant Fire Chief for Stowe Township Fire Department, and firefighter with West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Company 28 in Prince George's County, Maryland.

With 17 years of combined career and volunteer fire service experience, Brandon has earned a reputation as both a passionate student of the fire service and a respected instructor. As a PA State Suppression Instructor, City of Pittsburgh Recruit School Instructor, and Lead Instructor for Butler County Community College, he has dedicated himself to developing firefighters through realistic training and proven systems.

This was a killer conversation as we dove into what it really means to train firefighters with purpose. We talk about predetermined assignments, SOPs, SOGs, JOGs, and why having clear systems in place builds confidence, accountability, and consistency on the fireground. One topic I was especially looking forward to discussing was experience. Brandon has strong opinions on the difference between time served and experience earned.

As always, the audience was huge for this one with their big beautiful questions and drove the conversation!!!

Joined on episode 358 by Jason Worthy of South Spartanburg Fire Department.

A second-generation firefighter with 18 years on the job—many of them spent riding the truck. Jason currently serves as Captain on Ladder 24. Throughout his career, he has continually invested in his craft, completing OBT2, the NC Breathing Equipment School, Truckman Academy, and the South Carolina Fire Officer’s Academy.

A true student of the game, Jason leads by example. He is passionate about mentoring those around him while remaining humble, coachable, and committed to growth. Whether on the training ground or in the world of fitness, he is always willing to share his knowledge and experience with others.

During this conversation, we'll dive into the influence of his father and the path that led him into the fire service. We'll also discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with taking a lateral Captain's position, building and shaping department culture from the bottom up, the art and science of truck work, and the importance of family both on and off the job.

As always, the live audience helps drive the conversation. Every week you all bring outstanding questions, and the discussion goes wherever the curiosity takes it.

The Weekly Scrap - Episode 358 made possible by these amazing folks at: Snap-Tite Hose, Fire Station Furniture, and Yaw On Fire.

Joined on this episode by the one and only Tom Richardson, retired FDNY Chief of Department!

Chief Richardson walks the walk, serving 42 years with the FDNY, rising through every rank to lead as the top uniformed officer in the busiest fire department in the nation. A lifelong firefighter, he’s been a volunteer in Deer Park since 1978 (serving as Chief of Department there in 1999-2000 and 2009-2011) and currently serves on the Board of Fire Commissioners. He holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School - Center for Homeland Defense and Security, along with extensive leadership training including the FDNY Advanced Leadership Course, Fire Officers Management Institute, and West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center.

We’re going deep into leadership in the fire service - everything from command presence, to the critical importance of trust in the firehouse and on the fireground, building crews that operate with implicit authority (no constant micromanaging), the make-or-break role of the first hoseline, staffing and response challenges facing the volunteer fire service, and effective communication with the troops.

Hard-earned lessons from the highest levels of command, and practical wisdom that applies to every firefighter and officer out there. As always, the live audience one hundred percent light this one up with questions, and we go wherever the conversation takes us. Because we all know that’s what makes The Scrap the absolute best live firefighter podcast out there!

Joined on episode 356 by firefighter/paramedic and founder of VEST First Responder LLC, the one and only Jake Hecht!!!!

Tuesday, May 26th
8 PM CST

From high school history teacher to pro MMA fighter (3× UFC veteran) and now firefighter, Jake turned a violent patient encounter into a mission, dedicating his career to protecting those who protect others. As a former Army Combatives Instructor and former Lead Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Columbia, Missouri Police Department, Jake has now trained more than 3,000 firefighters and EMS providers across 10 states on practical, field-tested workplace violence survival.

On this episode we’re digging into: How VEST was born from real calls and why there’s virtually no standardized training for violent patient encounters in fire/EMS . Why most de-escalation talk is empty buzzwords and exactly where the line is before physical options kick in. Common admin objections and the culture that treats getting assaulted as “part of the job”.

We will also discuss the reporting platform that Jake built to stop sweeping these incidents under the rug - www.firstresponderviolence.com

Of coure, we can always count on the live audience to bring the heat with their questions. It is what continues to make the Scrap the absolute best. We go wherever the conversation takes us.

Episode 356 made possible by our incredible sponsors: SnapTite Hose & FireStation Furniture

Joined on this episode by the one and only Cody Trestrail, Founder and Instructor of Brothers in Battle and the man behind Firemanship! Cody has been on the Scrap for episodes 179 (one of the most listened to episodes of all time), 295, and the Firemanship special, and is coming back on for episode 355!

Join us for another epic episode where truth bombs drop as we discuss the driving force behind Cody and his mission! It would be remiss not to talk Firemanship and the massive impact it is having on the fire service! The audience as always lights it up with their questions and we enjoy where the conversation took us because that is what makes the Scrap the absolute best!!!!!

ENjoy the show!