📦 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

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Special Sponsors:

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

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

This week, Matt, Doug, and Unkie are back behind the mics — sweating it out in a closet, talking dryers that don’t work, how many horses is too many, and why the 48/96 schedule might be the greatest fire department hack of all time.

👨‍🚒 We break down shift schedules and how they impact family life, mental health, and relationships. Matt raves about his new 48/96 gig, Doug explains the reality of 24/48s at a busy house, and Unkie shares what it’s like working 72 hours on/24 off.

🧠 Real talk about the mental transition from firehouse to home, implementing “the 4-minute rule” with spouses, and why communication is king when your house is literally and figuratively on fire.

🔥 Plus:

• Doug's growing horse family 🐴

• Why every dryer should be a Speed Queen 💨

• The unspoken tension of holidays, holding over, and emotional decompression

• Shoutouts to our moms (a little late, but heartfelt)

• Burn Box reviews & more FD Collectors Club goodness

💬 Stick around to the end for our weekly Moment of Silence and some behind-the-scenes talk on what might be next for podcast drop days.

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👂 Subscribe & Follow Us: We’re 6 Spotify followers away from 700. Tell your mom 'n them. Let's go!
📦 Burn Box Lovers: Watch for new shorts from Doug featuring the Snagger Tool.
🎧 Want more? DM us your questions, stories, or topics for future episodes.

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