The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

Hosted by Corley Moore

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Episodes

360

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Firehouse Vigilance presents the Weekly Scrap. A podcast for firefighters with the best interviews of the best guests.Host Corley Moore discusses everything fire service related in his never ending fight against complacency. Awesome interviews with firefighter movers and shakers in this weekly show. Catch the show live, or enjoy the podcast recordings.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 9, 20261 hr 33 min

Weekly Scrap #372 – Mike Terpak: Command, Promoting and Challenges

This week on The Weekly Scrap... Chief Michael Terpak! I’ve been looking forward to getting Mike back on the show, and we made it happen. If you haven’t listened to his first appearance on Episode 87, now’s a good time to go back, give it a listen. Mike Terpak has built an impressive career in the fire service and continues to share his knowledge and experience with others. 45 years in the fire service, 36 years with the Jersey City Fire Department, retiring as a Deputy Chief and City-Wide Tour Commander, author of six best-selling fire service books, instructor, educator, and retired adjunct professor in Fire Science. He has spent decades studying the job, teaching it, writing about it, and continuing to give back to firefighters — both those new to the job and those looking to promote. We talk fireground operations, knowing the basics, knowing your own backyard before worrying about someone else's, high-rise firefighting, and some of those fundamentals of the job that simply never change. We also get into the promotional side of the fire service. Mike has spent years helping firefighters and fire officers prepare for that next step and has written extensively on both fireground operations and the promotional process. With Mike’s experience, knowledge, and perspective, I have a feeling we’ll have no shortage of things to discuss. And of course, LIVE audience brought the questions. 🤘🤘 Episode 372 with Mike Terpak is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose FireStation Furniture UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) — Visit the dedicated page created specifically for Weekly Scrap listeners, giving you access to some of the best firefighter research and training resources available at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

September 4, 20261 hr 30 min

Weekly Scrap #371 – Kyle Romagus & Ian Bennett: Book Release Show

We’re adding a special episode of The Weekly Scrap this week for a good reason. Episode 371 went LIVE Thursday, September 3rd—the same day The Romagus Papers officially releases. And we were joined by special guest Ian Bennett because his book "Learning to Burn" went live the very next day. We talk about both books, how they came together, and dive into some of the topics and conversations inside them. And of course, the audience as always delivered! Episode 371 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose IdentiFire Safety — Use code VIGILANCE for 10% off your order. UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) — Visit the dedicated page created specifically for Weekly Scrap listeners, giving you access to some of the best firefighter research and training resources available at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

September 2, 20261 hr 21 min

Weekly Scrap #370 – Jonathan Patten: Keeping Your House In Order

Jonathan brings nearly three decades in the fire service and a ton of time spent teaching and training firefighters. An instructor with Task Force One Inc. and Street-Smart Tactics, a member of the Frontier Fools, and has a passion for truck work, training, and making sure we pass this job on better than we found it. We talked some shop; truck company operations, riding assignments, ventilation, company officer responsibilities, and training with intent. We also dug into something Jonathan calls "Warehouse Management" - Keeping your own house in order. Looking inward when frustration sets in. Playing the long game. Staying mission focused. Taking care of your people. And becoming the kind of firefighter and leader you expect everyone else to be. Of course, this was The Weekly Scrap, so the Audience took us down some rabbit holes. It was a fantastic, "Can Not Miss" Episode! Episode 370 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose FireStation Furniture UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute — Visit the dedicated page created specifically for Weekly Scrap listeners, giving you access to some of the best firefighter research and training resources available at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

August 26, 20261 hr 21 min

Weekly Scrap #369 – Gary Lane: Shopping Carts and Training

I am excited to have Gary Lane join me once again on the Scrap for a conversation that could go in a lot of different directions. Gary has decades in the fire service, has been a state fire instructor since 2008, and is a member of the Brothers In Battle training cadre. He brings a lot of experience to the table, along with practical insight into where we are getting it right and where we could be doing it better. We dig into hit-or-miss leadership and the toll it can take on morale, informal training and drills for busy departments, the lack of quality live fire training, and passion vs. competence. But this is The Weekly Scrap, so you guys know how this works. The live audience and your big beautiful questions have a way of taking the conversation in directions we never planned. Episode 369 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose IdentiFire Safety — Use code VIGILANCE for 10% off your order. UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) — Visit the dedicated page created specifically for Weekly Scrap listeners, giving you access to some of the best firefighter research and training resources available at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

August 19, 20261 hr 29 min

Weekly Scrap #368 – Nick Ledin & Keith Stakes: Search, Research & Reality

My brother Nick Ledin steps in as special guest host, and I'm a little jealous as he got to sit down with Keith Stakes himself. Nick has spent years digging into civilian rescue data as a contributor to the Firefighter Rescue Survey, helping bring real-world data from thousands of reported rescues into the conversation about search and what that information can teach us about the job. Keith has been right in the middle of research that continues to shape our understanding of the modern fireground. Keith is a Principal Research Engineer with UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute and a fire protection engineer whose work focuses on fire service tactics, firefighter safety, and fireground operations. Put these two together and buckle up. Listen in as they dig into NFPA 1700, the data surrounding search and rescue, and how research and real-world rescue data have impacted the fire service. There is SO much information packed into this one. Episode 368 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose - FireStation Furniture - and UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute — Visit the dedicated page created specifically for Weekly Scrap listeners, giving you access to some of the best firefighter research and training resources available at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

August 12, 20261 hr 12 min

Weekly Scrap #367 – Larry Conley: Staying in the Fight

Larry Conley is on the Scrap, and what a great conversation. Larry has served more than thirty years in the fire service, and he's spent much of that time teaching and mentoring other firefighters. Now retired, Larry continues to invest his time in making the fire service better. If you've followed his work, heard him teach, or listened to The Larry Conley Show, you know there are plenty of directions this conversation can go. Leadership. Training. The job. The people. And the lessons earned over more than three decades in the fire service. We'll have a plan... But the live audience usually has other ideas. Episode 367 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose, IdentiFire Safety: Use code VIGILANCE to save 10% on any order, and the UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute. Visit a dedicated page just for Weekly Scrap listeners giving you access to one of the best firefighter research resources available - fsri.org/weeklyscrap

August 5, 20261 hr 17 min

Weekly Scrap #366 – Dan Shaw: 25 to Survive... The Conversation Continues

Chief Dan Shaw returns to The Weekly Scrap. If you caught Dan's first appearance on Episode #243, you already know the conversation didn't disappoint. Now he's back, and we're ready to see where this one takes us. With more than three decades in the fire service, including retiring as the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue, Chief Shaw now works with organizations across the country, helping develop leaders, strengthen culture, and challenge the way organizations think about leadership and organizational excellence. If you've been around The Weekly Scrap for any length of time, you already know that we'll come in with a plan, but the live audiance may take us down some rabbit holes with thier beautiful questions. Some of the best moments happen when the conversation takes a turn no one expected, and that's exactly what makes these live shows so great. Episode 366 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose, FireStation Furniture, and the UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute. For more on FSRI, visit the special page created just for Weekly Scrap listeners at fsri.org/weeklyscrap.

July 29, 20261 hr 25 min

Weekly Scrap #365 – Candace Ashby: The Greatest Job on Earth

Dr. Candace Ashby returns to The Weekly Scrap for a conversation every firefighter needs to hear. With over three decades in the fire service, a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, and years of experience climbing through the ranks, Candace—currently serving as a Battalion Chief—has become a respected voice on leadership, accountability, and protecting the culture that makes this profession unlike any other. We'll dive into what truly makes firefighting the greatest job on Earth, why that culture is worth fighting for, and how company officers and firefighters at every rank have the ability to shape the future of the fire service through their daily actions, conversations, and commitment to one another. If you've ever wondered how we preserve what makes this profession special while continuing to grow as leaders, this conversation will challenge your perspective and leave you thinking long after it's over. And because the live audience and their questions help make this show the absolute best.. we'll start with a plan, but where the conversation ends up is anyone's guess. Join us live, bring your questions, and be part of the discussion. Episode 365 is made possible by our incredible sponsors: Snap-tite Hose, IdentiFire Safety, and the Fire Safety Research Institute. For more on FSRI, visit the special page created just for Weekly Scrap listeners: fsri.org/weeklyscrap

July 22, 20261 hr 17 min

Weekly Scrap #364 – Benjamin Martin: Intoxicated Leadership

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.

July 15, 20261 hr 20 min

Weekly Scrap #363 – Jerry Wells: Stories and Relationships

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.