Chicago's Bravest Stories Podcast
By Fire & Iron Media
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Category: Society & Culture
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Subscribers: 7
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 137
Description
Listen in on the true stories of the first responders from the Chicagoland area and across the country as they tell the story in their own words. Get a peek behind the curtain of the men and women who show up on your worst day sometimes risking their own lives in process. Unscripted and heartfelt a podcast of Chicagos bravest stories.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Episode 82 Pt 2: Medal of Valor recipient Gino Casciola and crew from the Addison Fire Dept. Lt. Ralph Holdridge, Lt. Eric Medernach and FF/PM Louie DiGioia
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May 13, 2026 |
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Episode 82 Pt 1: Medal of Valor recipient Gino Casciola and crew from the Addison Fire Dept. Lt. Ralph Holdridge, Lt. Eric Medernach and FF/PM Louie DiGioia
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May 03, 2026 |
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Episode 81 part 2 : Lt. Bob Opiola member of The Chicago fire department and special guest host Lt. Josh Hill with the Frontline Mortgage Team
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Feb 11, 2026 |
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Episode 81: with Lt. Bob Opiola member of The Chicago fire department and special guest host Lt. Josh Hill with the Frontline Mortgage Team
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Jan 30, 2026 |
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Episode 80: retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Bill Shatz and daughter Firefighter/EMT Becca Schatz pt 2
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Dec 31, 2025 |
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Episode 80: retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Bill Shatz and daughter Firefighter/EMT Becca Schatz pt 1
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Dec 20, 2025 |
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Episode 79: Bob Dodovich retired Lt. from Chicago Fire departments Squad 2 and Clay Whiteley from episode 64
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Oct 16, 2025 |
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Chicagoland 1800 board up episode 78: former State Fire Marshall Matt Perez , Nate Rice Peoria FD and John Koch Joliet FD
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Sep 25, 2025 |
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Roll call episode from chicagoland 1-800-boardup: from the Gurnee Mills Fire Expo retired Capt Kevin Calhoun FDNY with Tunnels to Towers Foundation
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Sep 15, 2025 |
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Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 2
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Sep 06, 2025 |
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Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 1
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Aug 23, 2025 |
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Episode 76: Pt 2 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle
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Aug 20, 2025 |
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Episode 77: Mike Rossi from Des Plaines FD and Carson Zastrow from Arlington Heights FD promote FIRE & ICE hockey Charity Tournament Aug 2 2025
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Jul 25, 2025 |
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Episode 76: Pt 1 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle
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Jul 20, 2025 |
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Roll Call with Jose Perez: " Im walking out of here" Jose is a Chicago firefighter/Paramedic who was paralyzed during a triathlon in San Francisco
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Jul 16, 2025 |
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Episode 75: Nick Bostic pt 2 pizza delivery guy turned hero
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May 09, 2025 |
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Episode 75: Pt1 with Nick Bostic, Nick is the pizza delivery guy turned hero after he rescued 4 girls from a house fire
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Apr 14, 2025 |
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Episode 74: with Ron Rufo retired Chicago Police Officer and author of "Breaking the barriers"
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Mar 21, 2025 |
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Episode 73 Jimmy Scharnhorst Pt 2" never miss an opportunity to shut the f***k up"
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Feb 17, 2025 |
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Episode 73 Jimmy Scharnhorst Pt 1 " never miss an opportunity to shut the f***k up"
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Feb 17, 2025 |
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Episode 72: Pt2 with Max Austin retired Cicero lieutenant
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Nov 18, 2024 |
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Episode 72 : Pt 1 with retired Cicero Firefighter Max Austin
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Nov 05, 2024 |
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Episode 71: Part 2 w/ actor David Eigenberg from the TV show Chicago Fire
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Oct 16, 2024 |
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Episode 71: Part 1 w/ actor David Eigenberg from the TV show Chicago Fire
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Sep 30, 2024 |
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Episode 70: Chief Rich Stack and Capt. Dan Bracken from the Finley forever foundation Pt2
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Sep 10, 2024 |
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Episode 70: Chief Rich Stack and Capt. Dan Bracken from the Finley forever foundation Pt1
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Aug 24, 2024 |
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Episode 69: Pt. 2 W/ AFFI president Chuck Sullivan and Vice President Luke Howieson
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Aug 02, 2024 |
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Episode 69: AFFI president Chuck Sullivan and Vice President Luke Howieson
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Jul 15, 2024 |
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Episode 68 : Pt2 with FF/PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire/ Riverwoods FD
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Jun 24, 2024 |
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Episode 68 : Pt1 with FF/PM Alex Nunez of the Lincolnshire/ Riverwoods FD
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Jun 10, 2024 |
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Episode 67: Pt 2 Dave Hoppe ,Steve Brandt and Phil Zaleski from children's burn camp "Camp I am Me"
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May 06, 2024 |
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Episode 67: Dave Hoppe ,Steve Brandt and Phil Zaleski from the children's burn camp "Camp I am Me"
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Apr 22, 2024 |
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Episode 66: Pt2 Captain Al Ortiz former pro boxer and member of the Chicago Fire Department
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Apr 04, 2024 |
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Episode 66: Pt 1 Capt Al Ortiz, pro boxer and owner of Chicago Battle Of the Badges
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Mar 24, 2024 |
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Episode 65: Pt 2 Ron Sarno survivor of the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire 1958
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Feb 14, 2024 |
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Episode 65: Pt 1 Ron Sarno survivor of the "Our Lady of The Angels" fire 1958
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Jan 28, 2024 |
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Episode 64: Lt. Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd Pt 2
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Jan 08, 2024 |
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Episode 64: Lt. Clay Whiteley and Mike Winograd Pt 1
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Dec 26, 2023 |
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Episode 63: Part 2 with Pat Kehoe and Billy "hitman" Heenan
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Dec 02, 2023 |
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Episode 63: Part 1 with Pat Kehoe and Billy "hitman" Heenan
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Nov 14, 2023 |
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Episode 62: Part 2 with Tony Ferraris Firefighter with Squad 2 and actor on the TV show Chicago Fire
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Oct 31, 2023 |
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Episode 62: Part 1 with Tony Ferraris Firefighter with Squad 2 and actor on the TV show Chicago Fire
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Oct 18, 2023 |
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Roll Call with Kory Pearn publisher of CRACKYL Magazine
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Sep 20, 2023 |
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Episode 61: Juan Gonzales recipient of the State Fire Marshal Medal of Honor 2022
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Sep 01, 2023 |
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Episode 60: Blue Island Chief and Marine Corp veteran Joey Olson Pt 2
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Aug 09, 2023 |
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Episode 60: Blue Island Chief and Marine Corp veteran Joey Olson Pt 1
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Jul 24, 2023 |
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Episode 59: YOU FOUND HIM, Brian Quinn FDNY who had a rescue of a woman dangling from the 16th floor
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Jul 08, 2023 |
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Episode 58: origin and cause PT 2 with OFI Director of training Billy Granat
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Jun 20, 2023 |
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Episode 58: origin and cause PT 1 with OFI Director of training Billy Granat
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Jun 10, 2023 |
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Episode 57: state of Illinois Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Haemker from the Bradley FD
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May 27, 2023 |
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Episode 56: Pt 2 Chris Fields, Oklahoma City FF from the iconic photo of the Oklahoma City bombing
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Apr 26, 2023 |
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Episode 56: Pt 1 Chris Fields, Oklahoma City FF from the iconic photo of the Oklahoma City bombing
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Mar 28, 2023 |
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Episode 55: Pt 2 with FF/PM Greg Bagdade author of the book "Mental health Mayday"
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Feb 12, 2023 |
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Episode 55: Prt 1 Greg Bagdade FF/PM and mental health counselor "How can we help?"
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Feb 02, 2023 |
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Episode 54: "Burn" and "Burn X" documentary Director/ProducerTom Putnam
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Dec 16, 2022 |
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Episode 53: Mike Manchester and Jenni Yokas talk Stache Bash
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Nov 22, 2022 |
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Episode 52: PT 2 with former Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department James Joyce
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Nov 14, 2022 |
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Roll call with Cook County Sherriff candidate and CPD officer Lupe Aguire
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Nov 04, 2022 |
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Episode 52: PT 1 with former Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department James Joyce
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Nov 02, 2022 |
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Episode 51 : The wives of Shield 23
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Sep 27, 2022 |
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Episode 50: Pt.2 Sammy Vega of Cal City Fire
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Sep 13, 2022 |
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Episode 50: Sammy Vega of Cal City Fire
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Aug 31, 2022 |
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Episode 49: Part 2, Firefighter Mitch Huner Owner and Designer of Fire Maul
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Aug 10, 2022 |
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Episode 49: Part 1, Firefighter Mitch Huner Owner and Designer of Fire Maul
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Jul 27, 2022 |
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Episode 48: Part 2 with Ron Smith of the Gary FD and creator of "training seconds"
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Jun 30, 2022 |
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Episode 48: Part 1 with Ron Smith of the Gary FD and creator of "training seconds"
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Jun 22, 2022 |
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Episode 47: retired FBI criminal profiler, writer/ producer of Criminal Minds Jim Clemente
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May 26, 2022 |
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Episode 46: Retired Chief Leo Cox of the Chicago Fire Department, came on the job in ‘66
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Apr 26, 2022 |
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Episode 45: Live at Rock Bottom Brewery with The 100 Club of Illinois, and many more
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Apr 04, 2022 |
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Episode 44: Firefighters Josh Hill And Joey Mathews Pt 2 near death to car jackin
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Mar 25, 2022 |
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Episode 44: Firefighters Josh Hill and Joey Mathews part 1 saving Kevin and the 100 club saves Joey
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Mar 01, 2022 |
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Episode 43: Lieutenant Rick Vega Pt.2, Rescued as a boy only to work with the man who saved him!
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Feb 18, 2022 |
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Episode 43: Lieutenant Rick Vega Pt.1, Rescued as a boy only to work with the man who saved him!
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Feb 03, 2022 |
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Episode 42: Billy "Hitman" Heenan Pt 2
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Jan 20, 2022 |
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Episode 42: Billy "Hitman" Heenan talks about "The Catch" and many more Pt 1
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Jan 08, 2022 |
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Roll Call: Andy Scheidt, his father Dick Scheidt was photographed in The Our Lady of Angels fire
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Dec 12, 2021 |
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Episode 41: Denis Ohalloran retired Chief the Berwyn Fire Department
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Nov 27, 2021 |
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Episode 40: Live from Illuminated Brew Works with US Army Special Forces K9 handler Dan Traeder
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Nov 05, 2021 |
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Episode 39: Wayne Miller retired ATF agent and author of the book "Burn Boston Burn"
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Oct 20, 2021 |
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Episode 38: Jennie King and Kelsey Tomko from Muscular Dystrophy Association
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Oct 05, 2021 |
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Roll Call With Alex Griff Hazel Crest firefighter and CPAT Coordinator for MABAS 24
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Sep 21, 2021 |
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Roll Call: Steve Stecher VP Peoria Firefighters Union
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Sep 03, 2021 |
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Episode 37: Caitlyn Brennen from the 100 Club of Illinois
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Aug 24, 2021 |
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Episode 36: Billy Croft from the Naperville FD, talking about ACR and saving more lives
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Aug 08, 2021 |
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Roll Call with Lt. Jon Vought, owner of Rescue 1 CBD
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Jul 30, 2021 |
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Episode 35: Peter Van Dorpe retired Chicago Fire Dept. 33 years of service
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Jul 26, 2021 |
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Roll Call With Chief Gary Ludwig, Champaign Il.
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Jul 13, 2021 |
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Episode 34: Project Fire Buddies
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Jul 02, 2021 |
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Episode 33: Shield 23 Foundation
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Jun 16, 2021 |
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Roll Call: Al Medina CFD Sim Lab
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Jun 03, 2021 |
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Episode 32: Chief Jason Demas, AFD Part 2
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May 11, 2021 |
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Episode 31: talking with Chief Jason Demas Aurora IL Fire Department
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May 06, 2021 |
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Episode 30: 2020 Paramedic Medal of Valor Recipients Francisco Chavez and Chris Oswalt
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Apr 27, 2021 |
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Episode 29: Lt. Brian Kulaga Cicero FD, rescued 2 men from a fire while off duty
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Apr 01, 2021 |
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Episode 28: Chris Kribales President of NRFD IAFF Local 2714
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Mar 17, 2021 |
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Episode 27: FF Nick Felber and FF Mike Vitale with Waffles the search and rescue dog
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Mar 10, 2021 |
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Episode 26- with CPD member and Army Veteran Joe Duplechin
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Feb 21, 2021 |
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Roll Call : Mark retired CPD Bomb Squad Technician
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Feb 02, 2021 |
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Episode 25- Mahlon Mitchell, of Madison FD Local 311, and candidate for Genral President of IAFF
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Jan 24, 2021 |
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Episode 24, Part 4- The conclusion with Brian Woznicki, Dan Traeder and Alfredo Cabellero
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Jan 23, 2021 |
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Episode 24- Closure part 3 of 4 with Brian Woznicki, Dan Traeder and Alfredo Caballero
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Jan 16, 2021 |
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Roll Call: Talking to Sean and Jacqueline from First Responder Sleep Recovery
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Jan 04, 2021 |
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Episode 23 - Pt 2 Brian Woznicki CFD member and Force Recon Marine, with 2 surprises
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Dec 22, 2020 |
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Episode 23 - Pt 1 Brian Woznicki CFD member and Force Recon Marine, with 2 surprises
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Dec 15, 2020 |
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Episode 22 - Pt 2 W/ Mark Nielsen and son Scott
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Nov 28, 2020 |
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Episode 21 - Part 1 with retired CFD Deputy Fire Commissioner Mark Nielsen and son Scott a CFD FF
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Nov 23, 2020 |
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Episode 20 - Bike Team 1 and the 4th of July
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Oct 30, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Rush the Bus, the FDNY EMS Podcast
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Oct 30, 2020 |
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Episode 19 - Chuck Sullivan, President of AFFI
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Oct 29, 2020 |
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Episode 18 -Ryan Brady Peoria Firefighter's Union Local 50 president
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Oct 22, 2020 |
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Episode 17 - Jason Patton from Fire Dept. Chronicles
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Oct 10, 2020 |
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Roll call - Tom "the Voice" Gariti, almost 35 years of dispatching the Chicago Fire Department .
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Oct 01, 2020 |
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Roll Call with Rich Pinskey founder of Ignite The Spirit and 32 year member of CFD
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Sep 18, 2020 |
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Roll Call- Captain Ray and Captain Eric from Chicago Fire Boat Tours
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Aug 09, 2020 |
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Episode 16 - Brian Bardsley CPD SWAT medic
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Aug 04, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Wayne Miller Retired Boston ATF Special Agent and author of, "Burn Boston Burn."
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Jul 22, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Lt. John from University of Notre Dame Fire Department
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Jul 16, 2020 |
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Episode 15 - Tracy Kenny Fire Chief of the Broadview Fire Department
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Jul 07, 2020 |
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Episode 14 - Chuck Niemeier captain on the Aurora Fire Department
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Jun 27, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Lance Owner of Ladder 34 Rescued Goods
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Jun 26, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Julie "Casper" Macholz retired Naval aviator who help rescue a drowning man
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May 31, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Alex Griff (MABAS 24 CPAT)Alex and Vince talk about training for the CPAT
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May 26, 2020 |
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Episode 13 - CPD Lt. John Garrido from his near death experience to dog rescue missions
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May 20, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Severen Henderson author of the book "Hey New Guy!" - the candidates guide
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May 15, 2020 |
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Episode 12 - Tim Walsh retired Chicago Fire Department Special Ops Chief Part 2 of 2)
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May 12, 2020 |
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Episode 11 - Tim Walsh retired Chicago Fire Department Special Ops Chief Part 1 of 2)
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May 10, 2020 |
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Roll Call - Zechariah (Running 4 Heroes)11 year old who runs 1 mile for fallen first responders
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May 02, 2020 |
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Street Stories ft. Ed Froliech, Fred Schomer, Chris Van Dorp and Paul Keller
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Apr 27, 2020 |
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Episode 10 - Peter Lazzara retired Chicago Fire Dept, Paramedic Field Chief
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Apr 06, 2020 |
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Episode 9 - Father John McNalis from the Fire Museum of greater Chicago
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Mar 16, 2020 |
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Episode 8 - Paul Ciolino author of the book " Dead In 6 Minutes" (Part 2 of 2)
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Feb 13, 2020 |
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Episode 7 - Paul Ciolino author of the book " Dead In 6 Minutes"(Part 1 of 2)
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Jan 23, 2020 |
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Episode 5 - Mike Manchester CFD member who had a close call at a fire
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Dec 21, 2019 |
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Episode 3 - Jimmy and Danny members of CFD. with almost 50 years of combined fire service
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Dec 17, 2019 |
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Episode 4 - Kevin Casey retired CFD fireman and actor who played Nightingale in the movie Backdraft
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Nov 24, 2019 |
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Episode 2 - Father Tom Mulcrone Chaplin for the Chicago Fire Dept for over 37 years
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May 31, 2019 |
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Episode 1 - Jeff Rich CFD member who had a close call at a Westside fire
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May 21, 2019 |