The Cool Fireman Podcast brings you into the world of firefighting with hosts Matt, Doug, Unkie, Brian, and Freddy. In Episode 137, things kick off completely off the rails (as usual) with farm animal chaos, blind dogs, and runaway cats. Then we settle in for some real talk with our very own co-host Adam McCoy—treated as the special guest he deserves to be—as he discusses his new book, Stepping Up and Stepping Out. It's part memoir, part workbook, all heart: tackling the hardest fire you'll ever fight—the one behind your own front door. Mental health, family transitions, vulnerability in the fire service, and leaving a real legacy. Plus housekeeping, moments of silence, and a wild hot wash to close it out.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Chaos Intro: Cats, blind dogs, and farm life gone wrong
• 02:00 – Housekeeping: Happy Holidays, Hanukkah shoutout, Virtual Fill the Boot (Jan 2026), Patreon ideas
• 07:00 – Sponsors: Unkie's Seasoning, The Burn Box, FDIC 2026 hype
• 09:30 – Moments of Silence: Saranac FD (cancer LODD), Red McKimmy, Porterville FD tragic fire
• 15:00 – Interview with Adam McCoy: Inspiration behind Stepping Up and Stepping Out
• 18:00 – The mantra: "The hardest fire you'll fight is behind your own front door"
• 25:00 – Vulnerability, mental health, and the weight of the job
• 28:00 – Chapter 6: The Fire Next Door (parking lot talks and being there for brothers)
• 33:00 – Gold nugget one-liners from the book
• 39:00 – Workbook sections and daily check-ins
• 42:00 – Advice for rookies and the real legacy (family over firehouse)
• 49:00 – Emotional burden, work-life balance, and asking for help
• 52:00 – Brotherhood or Bullshit? Calling out the fakes
• 55:00 – Where to buy the book + the companion journal
• 55:30 – Snail Mail shoutouts
• 59:00 – Hot Wash: Apps, weather meals, pineapple on pizza debate, unwinding after a shift

Key Takeaways

• The first four minutes when you walk through the door at home matter more than the next four hours. Set the tone right.
• Toughness gets you through a shift; truth gets you through life.
• Some fires don't need water—they need honesty.
• Brotherhood is real, but it's not universal. Call out the bullies who preach it but don't live it.
• Your legacy isn't the fire department stories people tell—it's the one your family carries.
• Asking for help doesn't make you weak. Nobody has it all figured out, and that's okay.

Book SpotlightStepping Up and Stepping Out by Adam McCoyAvailable now on Amazon (search "Adam McCoy" or "Stepping Up and Stepping Out").Also grab the companion Stepping Up and Stepping Out Journal for daily check-ins and the 30-day challenge.Foreword by Kenny Mitchell (Operation Yellow Tape).

Support the Podcast

• Merch: Mugs, koozies, hoodies, tees, and more!👉 https://notoriousfireshops.com/cool_fireman_podcast/shop/home
• Sponsors: Unkie's Seasoning (unkieseasoning.com) | The Burn Box
• Upcoming: Virtual Fill the Boot fundraiser (January 2026) – stay tuned on Instagram!

Call to ActionDoes pineapple belong on pizza? Yes or no? Drop your vote in the comments on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube.Tag a brother or sister who needs to hear this episode. Share the real talk—we're all in this together.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.Thanks for riding with us, crew. Stay safe out there.

– Matt, Doug, Unkie, Brian, and FreddyThe Cool Fireman Podcast

In this episode, the crew kicks things off with pure mayhem — snowstorms in Michigan, salmon rain in California, and a spontaneous performance of “It’s Raining Men.” From there, the guys dive into housekeeping, holiday updates, merch drops, and a surprising announcement from Brian about his upcoming Fire Marshals International Swimsuit Calendar.

But the main topic?
👉 AI in the Fire Service.
The crew discusses the real, practical ways firefighters and medics are using AI to improve documentation, training, promotional prep, and workflow efficiency — and where the line is when it comes to ethics, privacy, and skill degradation.

This episode is full of laughs, insights, and real conversations from the firehouse kitchen table.

🔥 Topics Covered

• Snowstorms, salmon rain, and the most chaotic podcast intro ever

• Holiday energy in the firehouse

• Doug’s mysterious absence (Hint: Dolphin training. Yes… seriously.)

• Housekeeping: Merch, Burn Box, Unkie’s Seasonings, and more

• Brian’s Fire Marshal swimsuit calendar reveal

• **AI in the Fire Service:

  • Should firefighters use AI for reports?

  • Using AI for narrative cleanup vs. full narrative writing

  • Ethical concerns and HIPAA pitfalls

  • AI for training, testing, scenario creation, promotional prep, and SOP development

  • The future of EPCRs and AI-built documentation frameworks**

• Over-documentation in EMS and why it happens

• The difference between departments using AI and those with policies against it

• The importance of keeping PHI and names OUT of AI tools

• Pro tips for using AI responsibly

• Snail Mail: Listener questions, traditions, and heartfelt wins

• Highlighting listeners Jacob and Benjamin — HUGE thank you!

🔥 Merch Store

Support the podcast!
Grab your hoodies, long sleeves, mugs, and more — all through Notorious Fire.

🛒 Shop here:
https://notoriousfire.com/collections/the-cool-fireman-podcast

Every purchase helps support the show and keeps the chaos going.

📬 Snail Mail Highlights

• Travis shares his station’s tradition of using Fill the Boot to buy gifts for 18 kids

• Quinn asks for Jason Patton (we’re trying!)

• Jacob lands an interview after asking the crew for mentorship advice

• Benjamin lists The Cool Fireman Podcast as his #1 podcast of the year

• Listeners show big support across TikTok, IG, and YouTube — we appreciate you!

  
  

🔥 Call to Action (Listener Question)

Does your department have an AI policy?
What can you legally use AI for… and what’s forbidden?

Comment on Spotify or message us on Instagram — we’ll feature the best responses next episode.

🎙️ Hosts

Matt • Brian • Freddy • Unkie
Doug (in Miami… teaching dolphins Spanish?)

Welcome back to The Cool Fireman Podcast, now dropping episodes every Monday!

In this post-Thanksgiving episode, Matt, Doug, and Unkie talk all things holiday routine at the firehouse—from brunches and Christmas trees to how each department handles weekends, downtime, and the importance of mental health during the holidays.

🔥 Topics Covered:

• The vibe of working holidays in the fire service

• Why “getting your Sunday back” is a real thing

• Putting up Christmas lights at the station (Clark Griswold would be proud)

• Doug’s call involving boiling chitlins (don’t worry, he didn’t go in)

• Department lateral transfers and what it means to “start over”

• The power of routine for mental health during the holidays

• Matt defends the legendary 12–2 “safety nap”

• A shoutout to our awesome listeners and supporters

• And yes… Brian’s transparent Speedo photo shoot gets brought up 👀

🕯 Moment of Silence – A heartfelt pause for first responders lost this year, both on-duty and off, including those struggling with mental health. You are not alone.

🛍️ MERCH IS LIVE!
Support the podcast and look rad doing it:
👉 https://notoriousfireshops.com/cool_fireman_podcast/shop/products/all?page=1

We’ve got hoodies, long-sleeve tees, mugs, and some amazing new designs—including the “Sorry Rhett!” drop and parody-inspired fire service graphics.

👕 Want to see a new design or have an idea for apparel? Let us know—we're always cooking up more.

📣 Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram
And if you loved this episode, share it with your crew or drop a comment—we read every one.