In this powerful Veterans Day episode, Brian, Doug, and Freddy honor the veterans who serve both our country and our firehouses. From shoutouts to community heroes like The Salty Paramedic to emotional reflections on fallen brothers, this one hits deep.

🚒 Topics Covered:

• 🇺🇸 Why Veterans Thrive in the Fire Service
  The guys dive into how military experience—discipline, work ethic, service mindset—translates into being a top-tier firefighter.

• 🔁 Lateral Transfers vs. Green Recruits
  Freddy shares a personal story about transitioning departments and the personality conflicts that followed. The crew weighs the pros and cons of bringing in seasoned laterals vs. molding fresh rookies.

• 💬 Trust, Tone & Timing
  What does it really mean to build trust? Brian unpacks Stephen Covey’s “Speed of Trust” and the importance of how we communicate in the firehouse.

• 🧂 Merch Drop!
  The Cool Fireman Podcast officially launches its new merch store with stickers, mugs, hoodies, and more!

  🛒 Merch: https://notoriousfireshops.com/cool_fireman_podcast/shop/home
  🎁 Use code TCFP for 15% OFF through November!

• 💬 Snail Mail & Appetizer Draft Results
  Listener comments pour in for the Fantasy Football Appetizer Snake Draft. Deviled eggs drama. Boneless wings betrayal. Who won the snack war? (Still up for debate...)

• 🕊️ Moment of Silence
  A heartfelt tribute to veterans and a somber farewell to a fallen firefighter from Doug's department.

📢 Call to Action:
Drop a comment telling us how many veterans serve in your department—and give them a shoutout!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.

This week’s episode has it all — snacks, sarcasm, shout-outs, and snail mail. The guys take a break from the heavy topics and go full-on firehouse fun mode in this Fantasy Appetizer Draft episode. Who picked the best three-game day snacks? That’s up to YOU to decide!

Plus:
🚨 A big-time merch announcement
📬 New messages from listeners in our Snail Mail segment
👨‍🚒 Tips for new recruits starting the Fire Academy
🧂 Unkie’s Seasonings update
🔥 A call to action that’ll get your stomach growling

🥨 Pigskin Appetizer Draft:

5 firemen. 3 rounds. Snake-style draft.
Game Day Food Showdown.

Pick Highlights:

• Freddy: Pulled pork nachos, jalapeño poppers, cheeseburger egg rolls

• Matt: Spinach artichoke dip (in a bread bowl), sliders, pigs in a blanket

• Unkie: Classic meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, deviled eggs

• Brian: Boneless wings (or chicken nuggets 🤔), queso dip, cheeseburger sliders

• Doug: Traditional wings, pizza, bacon-wrapped little smokies

🎯 You decide who won — vote on Instagram or Spotify!

🧢 Merch Announcement:

We’ve officially partnered with Notorious Fire Company for all Cool Fireman Podcast gear!
👕 Hoodies, shirts, hats — it’s all coming.
👉 Check thecoolfireman.com and our Instagram bio for updates.
Spoiler: It may already be live!

📬 Snail Mail Highlights:

• Don’t Kick My Dog 34 asked about fire academies — the crew drops major tips on mindset, heat acclimation, fitness, and claustrophobia training.

• Jacob Quartarella reached out about finding a mentor in the fire service. The team shares ideas for making connections when you don’t have firehouse contacts.

• Kenny Mitchell remains undefeated in the “Who Listens First?” challenge… can YOU beat him?

💬 Notable Quotes:

“Spinach artichoke dip… and you eat the bowl too!” – Matt
“Boneless wings are chicken nuggets with an ego.” – Doug
“That garlic and herb seasoning? Almost sold out.” – Unkie
“Every day in the academy is a job interview.” – Brian
“Respectful discourse? Always. Disrespect? No time for it.” – Doug
“We haven’t made a dime… but the brotherhood we’ve built? Worth it.” – Matt

🧠 Tips for Fire Academy Recruits:

• Acclimate to heat by wearing turnouts around the house

• Practice wearing a facepiece to build comfort and prevent panic

• Get your textbook early and start studying

• Tie knots and practice skills now — don’t wait

• Treat every day like a job interview

• Ask meaningful questions and stay humble

🎯 Call to Action:

🗳️ Vote for your favorite draft lineup!
Drop the name of the host whose appetizer picks you think are unbeatable.
🔥 BONUS: Try to beat Kenny Mitchell by being the first comment on our Friday episode post for a chance at a prize pack.

🎧 Listen Now On:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📅 New episodes drop every Friday at midnight PT

This episode is half Halloween chaos, half serious kitchen-table mentorship talk — with a little FD candy in between.

🎃 Costumes? Check.
😷 Smelling like sweaty Cheetos? Sadly, also check.
💥 Real firehouse talk about mentorship, generational shifts, and showing up for your crew? Absolutely.

We pick up where Episode 129 left off — answering listener comments, tackling social media backlash, and diving deep into what mentorship really means in today’s fire service.

💬 In This Episode:

• 🎃 Halloween Vibes:
  Doug's dressed as a nun. Brian rocks the Scream mask. Matt's just sweating in a USA tee.
  Spoiler: We're not as funny as we think we are, but we try.

• 🚨 Snail Mail Reactions:
  The clip heard around the firehouse — we clarify the “your time isn't more important than mine” statement.
  → It’s not about sick leave. It’s about respect and doing the right thing.

• 🔥 Mentorship Talk – Part 2:

  • Are rookies today really “soft” — or just different?

  • Why the way you were taught might not work anymore.

  • Creating an environment where rookies feel safe asking questions.

  • Holding onto accountability while ditching the unnecessary ego.

• 👶 New Firefighters & Generational Shifts:

  • Lateral hires, job-hopping, and the shift from fear-based leadership

  • The power of appreciation and how simple gratitude builds trust

  • Let rookies learn the why — not just memorize the what

• 🚒 Real-Life Training & Tactics:

  • Using tech (YouTube, IG) as modern-day tabletop drills

  • Changing hose loads, nozzle pressure debates, and field-tested feedback

  • “If you're not doing something better or safer… why not?”

• 📣 Shoutout Time:

  • Kenny Mitchell: Still undefeated in the “first to listen” challenge

  • Quinn a.k.a. “Little Firefighter”: Our newest (and possibly youngest) superfan

  • Rebecca: The mystery commenter finally revealed

  • Andrew: Your RIT team question is on deck — we want more info!

• 🎁 Giveaway Alert:
  Think you can beat Kenny? Be the first to comment on our Friday episode drop (Spotify or Instagram) and win a firehouse prize box!

  🧠 Notable Quotes:

“We’re not saying don’t use sick leave. We’re saying don’t screw your buddy to save your Saturday.” – Matt
“Your time isn’t more valuable than mine.” – Brian
“Mentorship means creating a space where rookies feel safe to fail — and strong enough to ask questions.” – Freddy
“Tradition isn’t bad… but don’t let it stop progress.” – Doug
“You’re not better than anyone — this job will humble you.” – Unkie

👻 Halloween PSA:

Parents — be the adult. Firefighters don’t want to respond to tragic calls on Halloween night. Keep your kids safe, stay visible, and don’t be “that house.”

📫 Snail Mail Segment:

We’re loving the DMs, comments, and questions. Keep them coming!
Want to be featured in Snail Mail? Hit us up at thecoolfireman@gmail.com or DM us on TikTok / Instagram.

🎧 Listen Now On:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
📅 New episodes drop every Friday at midnight PT