Firefighter Kingdom

#16 Mahlon Mitchell - General President Candidate IAFF 2020 | Fire Fighter Union Election

Vince Trujillo, Mahlon Mitchell, Robert Sanchez — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Mahlon Mitchell became a firefighter at age 19. He rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant at Station #1 in Wisconsin’s capital city of Madison, where he still serves and lives today with his wife, April, and two kids, Sie’anna and Karson.

Mahlon is now running for General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters in 2020.

Seeing the power of a union, Mahlon became active in the IAFF early in his career. After having served on the board of Local 311 for years, he was elected President in 2011 of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin and Local 311 in 2014.

The year he took over as President of PFFW, the most anti-union governor in modern U.S. history passed Act 10, stripping unions of their collective bargaining rights. Even when his members were exempt from the bill, Mahlon answered the call.

He stood in solidarity with his brothers and sisters in labor, led marches and rallies at the capital – and fought back. He brought Wisconsin firefighters together in solidarity with the rest of the labor movement because he understands that we are stronger when we are united.

In this podcast:

What fire department do you work for?
What rank are you?
How many years do you have in the fire service?
How did you climb the ladder of leadership in the IAFF?
Tell me about your best accomplishments?
Tell me about your run for Governor in Wisconsin?
Tell me about Act 10 in Wisconsin?
Tell me how you stood in solidarity with union brothers and sisters in Wisconsin?
Tell me about your run for GP of the IAFF?
Tell me about your fresh start plan first 30 days in office?
What do you think about diversity in the Fire service and the IAFF?
Tell me how you would make the IAFF more transparent?
What would your goals and objectives be as GP of the IAFF?

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#15 Lee Phillips London Firefighter, Fitness Model, & Fitness Competition Athlete

FireFighter Kingdom — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 18:00:49 +0000

Lee Phillips is a fitness professional, firefighter, athlete and model based in London, UK.

After joining the fire service Lee began competing in firefighter fitness competitions. He has traveled all over the World representing the British National Team at the World Firefighter Games, Firefighter Combat Challenge and Toughest Firefighter Alive competitions. He has held the title of London’s Fittest Firefighter for a record six years and is the current title holder. In August 2017 Lee competed in the World Police and Firefighter Games in Los Angeles amongst ten thousand athletes. He won gold in the Ultimate Firefighter and CrossFit competitions making him double World Champion.

Lee has also been involved with raising money for a number of firefighter and other charities in the UK and the US like William Wood Watches www.williamwoodwatches.com which uses old British fire service helmets and hoses to make some of their watches. Must see!

In September 2011 he and two friends purchased an old British fire engine and shipped it to New York for the ten-year anniversary of 9/11. They then drove the fire engine across the States to Los Angeles raising money along the way before donating the engine to a small town in Nicaragua where it was put back into service to protect the local community.

While working in London Lee was spotted by television presenter and producer Andi Peters and joined Andi Peters Models where he has since become a successful fashion and fitness model. He has appeared in a number of leading publications including Italian Vogue, Fantastic Man and GQ and has worked with some of the world’s top photographers including Bruce Weber, Alasdair McLellan and David Venni. In doing so he has represented global brands such as Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.

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# 14 - Detective Aaron Velarde | Bernalillo County Sheriff Department

Vince Trujillo, Detective Aaron Velarde, Robert Sanchez — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 03:24:34 +0000

Detective Aaron Velarde from the Bernalillo County Sheriff Department (BCSD) is our guest today. BCSD has a long history with the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) and our host Robert Sanchez.

They discuss the long inter-agency relationship and how law enforcement and the fire service interact on a regular basis from emergency response and crime response to department cooperation.

Topics Covered:

Detective Velarde's background and family in fire service
Background in law enforcement
Robert Sanchez & Aaron Velarde history
Law enforcement environment in 2020
Community interaction and issues
Personnel issues in law enforcement
Community segment and questions
FireFighter Kingdom upcoming coffee for first responders

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#13 Oklahoma Smoke Divers - Elite FireFighter Training & Why It Matters

Vince Trujillo, Robert Sanchez, Chad Miller, Bryan Lloyd — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 18:26:11 +0000

Chad Miller is a District Chief for TFD and Chief Operations Officer for Oklahoma Smoke Diver Association. Bryan Lloyd is a District Chief for TFD and Chief Elder for the Oklahoma Smoke Diver Association. The association is a volunteer organization.

Their Mission: To prevent death and injury by training firefighters to be adaptable and to develop critical decision making skills in high stress environments.

This training is open to firefighters around the country. Learn more here:
[http://www.oklahomasmokediver.com/]

The Oklahoma Smoke Diver course is a six-day, 60 hour program designed for the experienced firefighter who desires realistic training in self-survival, firefighter rescue, advanced search & rescue, thermal imaging, emergency procedures, teamwork, discipline, team leadership, situational awareness and decision making as well as how to function within the elements of the Incident Command System.

Topics Covered:

Background and career in the Fire service?
What led you 2 into become Smoke Divers?
When did the program start and where did it come from?
How many States have Smoke Diver programs?
How should you prepare for the Smoke Diver program?
Why is becoming a Smoke Diver a Prestigious Honor?
What does the program consist of in curriculum, training, difficulty?
What’s the purpose of the water training in the program?
For firefighters that are listening how can they apply for your program?
Lots of other interesting aspects of fire service and the program.

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#12 - General President Harold Schaitberger | Special Edition - 2020 Election & More

Harold Schaitberger, Vince Trujillo, Robert Sanchez — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 10:00:13 +0000

In just our 12th Episode we are honored to have the IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger on our show!

Harold A. Schaitberger, the 9th General President in the IAFF’s more than 100-year history, was first elected in 2000. He is also a vice president of the AFL–CIO, serving on the Executive Committee, and has served on the AFL–CIO Executive Council since 2000.

Robert Sanchez interviews him about his first days as a professional fire fighter in Fairfax County, Virginia. He quickly rose to the rank of lieutenant, organized and served as president of Fairfax County Local 2068 and was elected president of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters – all before he had seven years on the job.

Also, General President Schaitberger discusses the IAFF endorsement of Joe Biden for President and why he believes Joe is the best person for the job and a long time friend of the union.

So much great information from a true legend in the fire service and union history. You don't want to miss!

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#11 - How Firetrucks Are Made and Ordered | Lt. George Asi

Vince Trujillo, Robert Sanchez, Lt. George Asi — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 20:38:38 +0000

Lt. George Asi talks about his background and history in the fire service and how he came to being involved with the custom firetruck ordering process.

Bernalillo County Fire Department is in the process of building a new $1M+ ladder truck and we talk about how the ordering process works from start to finish.

Stay tuned! You don't want to miss this informative interview with a great guest!

Topics Covered:

History of George in the fire service
Instructor at the fire academy
Local volunteer firefighter
Involved with vehicle replacements
Fire Grant Process
Pierce Apparatus Department
Siddons Martin Emergency Group
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Appleton Wisconsin plant
Firetruck manufacturing process
Delivery, usage, and warranty on firetrucks
Budget & pricing
Open cabs vs. closed cabs

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#10 - Hawaii Fire Dept | Volcanos & Rescue in Paradise

Vince Trujillo, Charlie Spain, Robert Sanchez — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 19:58:45 +0000

Charlie Spain helps us understand how complex Hawaii Fire Department has it and the unique set of circumstances and calls they respond to.

Hawaii is the only (that we know) state in the USA that is actively fighting active volcano fires and rescue operations. This episode has great insight into what its like to be in Hawaii and working all the angles of rescue and operations.

You can learn more about helping the Hawaii Professional FireFighters Association here: [https://www.hawaiifirefightersfoundation.org/)

Stay tuned! You don't want to miss the great interview with an awesome guest!

Topics Covered:

Charlie Spain background and growing up on Oahu
How local fire departments work
Types of rescues on the islands
Active volcano on Kilauea and earthquakes
Active lava flow on Kalapana subdivision
Dangers of lava in fire service and how close you can get
PPE for lava and toxic gases
COVID-19 and effects in Hawaii and Fire Service
Tourist dangers and recommendations
Most interesting rescue
Most dangerous rescue
Stay safe in paradise!

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Mahalo!

#9 - Los Angeles Fire Department: COVID, Riots, and Fires Update | Cpt. Adam VanGerpen

Vince Trujillo, Adam VanGerpen, Robert Sanchez — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 12:40:39 +0000

Cpt. Adam VanGerpen is a Fire Captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and also currently 2nd Vice President with United Firefighters of Los Angeles (UFLAC), Local 112.

Adam has been a firefighter with LAFD for 20 years and has served many roles both with fire service and with the UFLAC, and was even a firefighter in the Marine Corp.

This podcast interview was a great insight into what has been going on in with the LA Fire Service during these unprecedented times where they are responding to calls during COVID-19, large fires that burned several firefighters, and having riots going on all at the same time.

You can learn more about the UFLCAC Fire Foundation here: https://www.uflac.org/charitable

Cpt. VanGerpen give us his extensive background and goes into what its like to serve during the last several months and all the different ways that the LAFD responds, serves, and helps keep Los Angeles safer.

Stay tuned! You don't want to miss the great interview with an awesome guest!

Topics Covered:

Cpt. VanGerpen background and history
From Marines to Burbank Airport to LAFD
Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
LA Fire resources and covering 500 square miles
Emergency Management Department
COVID testing and EMS
Firefighter infections from COVID and LA rates rising
Fire Station 9 and Fire Explosion Injuries
Investigation into the explosion and butane honey oil
UFLAC Fire Foundation and Burn Fund
https://www.uflac.org/charitable
Update on burned firefighters
Community interaction with riots and calls
Frankie Lima makes cameo appearance
Interesting rescue operations and some fun notes

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#8 - Arson Investigation with Cpt. Ramon Martinez

Vince Trujillo, Cpt. Ramon Martinez, Robert Sanchez — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 23:23:03 +0000

Cpt. Ramon Martinez is a veteran fire arson investigator with the Fire Investigations Division (FID). And is a 17 year veteran in fire service. Martinez' career started as a firefighter from the Albuquerque Fire Department (AFD). We go over his background and how he got started as a fire investigator and transitioning from firefighter. Also, we discuss the basics of fire investigation, what to look for, how it works, and the law enforcement aspect.

Captain Martinez had to go through both Firefighter Academy (AFD Academy) and Police Academy (APD Academy) to become a member of the Fire Investigations Division.

This is a great interview with lots of interesting information on a department that the public doesn't get to hear about from the inside. Stay tuned!

Topics Covered:

Cpt. Martinez background and history
From newbie to driver to interest in fire investigation
Difference between Fire Academy and Police Academy
Why you can have both certifications in NM
Use of dogs in fire investigation
Process of fire investigation
Public can help stop fires safely
Boundaries for fire investigation & prosecution (Bosque)
Legislation to change zoning for Bosque fire investigation
Public questions from Vince Trujillo
How to determine if a crime was committed or malicious
Beginning to end description of a fire call to investigation to criminal arrest
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#7 Pt 2: Lt. David Lujan - Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue Operations

Vince Trujillo, Robert Sanchez, David Lujan — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 21:07:12 +0000

Episode Notes

Welcome to Episode 7 of FireFighter Kingdom

Our Guest:

Lt. David Lujan of the Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue. David is going on 14 years in the fire service and is also a Public Information Office for the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD).

Topics Covered:

What situations need rescue when outdoors
When to use an SOS beacon
Assess your help or need situation quickly
Be prepared for your hike or outdoors trip
Do you have to pay for a helicopter rescue
Private vs public medical response
70 year old viral rescue video from news
Air Zermatt and Netflix video "The Horn"
Thank you to: Sheriff Manuel Gonzales, Undersheriff Larry Koren, Fire Chief Greg Perez, Depty. Chief of Operations Larry Rose, Dpty. Chief of Administration Zach Lardy
Alpine Helicopter EMS

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#6 Pt 1: Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue Operations - Lt. David Lujan

Vince Trujillo, Robert Sanchez, David Lujan — Fri, 29 May 2020 00:19:58 +0000

Welcome to Episode 6 of FireFighter Kingdom

Our Guest:

Lt. David Lujan of the Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue. David is going on 14 years in the fire service and is also a Public Information Office for the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD).

Topics Covered:

Role in recent Valencia county fir
Metro Air Support Unit (MASU) and role
Training and selection for Helicopter Rescue
UNM School of Medicine Reach & Treat Team
International Diploma in Mountain Medicine
Jason Williams
Rescue operations around the state
Number of helicopter calls 2019 and 2020
Care package drops vs lifts or rescues
Proper preparation for outdoors & wilderness to avoid rescues
22 Push Up Challenge - Veteran Suicide Awareness Campaign
Lora Cunningham PSA Award

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