The Fireground Fitness Podcast, Rayne Gray

Ep. 8 Exposed! 11 ways we can reduce our exposure with Dawn Bolstad-Johnson

Dawn Bolstad-Johnson is an industrial hygienist who has made it her business to research and consider how we firefighters are exposed to cancer causing carcinogens. In her book, Exposed - carcinogenic exposure on the fireground and 11 work practices to minimize the risk, she illustrates where and how we are exposed and what unseen chemicals are causing first responders to develop cancers at an alarming rate. She goes on to discuss 11 simple practices that every firefighter can employ to reduce the potential effects of carcinogenic exposure.

In Episode 8 Dawn and I discussed her book, her passion for the fire service and the simple, but not easy, steps every firefighter can take to reduce exposure.  

 

This is a conversation every firefighter should be having. To help spur this topic Kaizen safety solutions and Fireground Fitness podcast are giving away 2 copies of Dawn’s book Exposed

To enter the giveaway:

• Tag 2 friends in the comments of this post by midnight, Saturday July 6^th
• 2 names will be randomly drawn and announced on July 7^th

 

For further information Dawn can be reached as follows:

Kaizensafetysolutions.com

Dawnbolstadjohnson.com

Twitter - @kaizenSafetySol

Linkedin.com/in/dawnbolstad-johnson

Ep.7, The RTO - Reputation, Leadership & Family

Captain Austin Moreland Just completed his first tour as a recruit training officer for the Phoenix Fire department regional fire academy. He and I sat down for a conversation covering reputation, leadership and family, from the perspective of a recruit through the end of one's career.

 

Check it out! listen and Subscribe wherever you get you podcasts.

Ep. 6: Fire House Subs and Firefighter Decon - Ed Cunningham's mission to feed and protect firefighters

In Episode 6 we talk to Ed Cunningham, he served more than a decade as a Firefighter and Paramedic in the area northwest of Phoenix, AZ, Ed has also served as Engineer, PIO, Union rep, and Honor Guard lead for his department. In 2016, he temporarily left the fire service to finish achieving another dream of opening a restaurant. As a Firehouse Subs Franchisee, Ed has continued his service to First Responders and Military through his charity work and raising money for grants through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. 

 

For more information about Ed and the projects he's working on check out the following links

Good Eats:

https://www.firehousesubs.com/

 

For Firefighter Decon:

 https://firstresponderdecon.com/

 

Ep 5. Growing Up in the Phoenix Fire Department with Deputy Chief Chris Stewart

 

Deputy Chief Chris Stewart shares with us how he got his start in the PFD and how he was “raised” by the fire department. How critical lessons occurred during pivotal moments in his career and shaped the way he considers risk and size up.

• We discussed the loss of our Brother Firefighter Bret Tarver and touched on just a couple of very important take a ways that shaped both Stewart and I during very different parts of our careers.

The impact that Bret’s death had on the PFD was profound. Please take the time to read this final report published by the PFD. There are valuable lessons that we must always remember.

• Stewart referred to Retired Chief Don Abbott’s Mayday project – Chief Abbott has done a tremendous service to the men and women of the American fire service by helping uncover the obvious and latent issues that lead to mayday events on the fireground. Take a look at the research and find ways to shore up your operations. Many of the items that lead to maydays are totally preventable. http://projectmayday.net/

 

• Early in the episode we talked of Stewart's love of mountain biking. However, I failed to come full circle and share that he is one of the co-founders of the Arizona High School Mountain bike racing league. The first of its kind in Arizona and a tremendous success. Check it out! And If you’re a local get out there and support and if you’re not - buy a t-shirt from the league and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 4: Lessons learned from law enforcement with Sgt. Michelle Thiry (ret)

Michelle is a recently retired PD Sergeant with over 26 years of service with the city of Phoenix Police Department. In this episode she shares how she began her career as a brand new college grad, survived nearly a decade working undercover in sex crimes, lessons in leadership and so much more!  

Check it out!

Episode 3: Why service matters to me, lessons learned from the Roymor Fire with Rayne

When I was a kid, just 17 years old, my friend and I ran up on a house fire. We learned some real lessons from this event and it has shaped the way I think about and value service.

In episode 3 I share the story of the Roymor fire and the impact it has had on me. 

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

In Strength

Rayne

Episode 2 with Brian Vayda

Today we talk to Brian Vayda, a firefighter, crossfit coach and all around good dude. We get into fitness, of course, but hit on a variety of topics along the way.

Please let me know how your enjoying the podcast (or not) by leaving your rating and comments on itunes, twitter, instagram or whatever.

In Strength

Rayne

Episode 1 "Cancer" fighting for your life with PFD fire Captain Bill Rini,

Episode 1 - What better place to start our podcast then discussing one of the most contemporary issues in the modern fire service - Cancer.

Captain Bill Rini, is a veteran of the Phoenix Fire Department, who over the course of his career has fought hard and learned to live with the aftermath of cancer. His story, once very unique, is beginning to become ubiquitous in the american fire service and begs our attention. 

Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts.

In Strength

Rayne

Introducing Firegroundfitness podcast