Benjamin Martin is coming back to the Scrap, and we've got more to unpack than we'll have time to cover.

Benjamin started his career riding the jump seat of a busy urban engine company and recently retired as an Acting Battalion Chief after more than 23 years in the fire service.

Many of you know him through EmbraceTheResistance.com, his articles, podcast appearances, or his nationally recognized class, Intoxicated Leadership.

Over the last decade, he's challenged many of the assumptions inherited about leadership, helping firefighters at every rank recognize the hidden forces that shape culture, leadership, and performance... and what we can actually do about them.

Benjamin isn't afraid to go where a lot of leadership conversations stop. He's willing to talk about the mistakes, the burnout, the difficult conversations, the organizational politics, and the emotional weight that comes with trying to do right by your people. He believes credibility isn't built only on the fireground but rather around the kitchen table, in the hallway, and during the conversations most people would rather avoid.

If your ego's flammable... consider this your warning.

Some of the rabbit holes we hope to head down include why leaders shouldn't always eat last, why organizations push back against improvement, and why good people quietly stop caring.

As always, the live audience helps drive where this conversation goes. Some of my favorite episodes have taken unexpected turns because of the questions and comments coming from the chat.

Joined on this episode by Jerry Wells!

Jerry retired as a Battalion Chief from the Lewisville (TX) Fire Department after 35 years in the fire service. Throughout his career, he's taught firefighters across the country while challenging them to think differently about the profession.

We'll dive into some of the ideas that have shaped Jerry's career, including what "The Kitchen Table" really means, why every firefighter needs an equity stake in their department, the importance firehouse stories and kitchen table conversations have, how culture is built through ownership instead of obligation, and why Jerry believes firefighting is the ultimate team sport.

As always, the audience helps drive the conversation, so get your big, beautiful questions ready, and we'll gladly head down whatever rabbit hole the live chat takes us.

Episode 363 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-Tite Hose and IdentiFire Safety.

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!