In 1977, the Honda Canyon Fire swept across Vandenberg Air Force Base—now Vandenberg Space Force Base—becoming one of the most significant wildfires in the installation’s history and reshaping how the department approached wildland firefighting. Nearly four decades later, the 2016 Canyon Fire once again challenged the installation, reminding firefighters how complex a wildfire at Vandenberg can become. During the incident, crews faced challenging conditions and a dangerous situation that ultimately resulted in a fire shelter deployment. In this episode of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt sits down with Chief Mark Smith, who has served at Vandenberg since the early 1990s and […]

What does it really mean to be ready? In this episode of The FireDawg Podcast, we explore the moments that test more than skill — they test judgment. The moments when your training is pushed, policy isn’t perfectly clear, and culture either empowers you… or makes you hesitate. Our guest, Terrell Thomas, a nearly 20-year Air Force leader with experience spanning operational response and executive leadership, shares powerful response stories from his career. Together, we discuss autonomy on scene, deviation from SOPs, organizational accountability, and how leaders build firefighters who are prepared for the moment of truth. Because readiness isn’t proven […]

Tax season isn’t something we talk about much in the firehouse — but maybe we should. In this episode, we sit down with former Air Force firefighter turned financial and tax expert, Matt Stelmaszek, to break down what federal firefighters need to know before the April 15 filing deadline. We cover: How the tax system actually works (and why more OT doesn’t “tax all your income higher”) The difference between deductions and credits Traditional TSP vs Roth IRA considerations “No Tax on OT” for federal firefighters — what qualifies and what doesn’t Roth IRA contributions you can still make before […]

In this episode of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt is joined by returning guest Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Peter Webb. Chief Webb previously appeared on Episode 35, where he shared his journey from Army firefighter to Air Force Reserve Command Chief, his service as a Battalion Chief in Dothan, Alabama, and a first-hand account of serving as Incident Commander during a mayday. Since that conversation, Chief Webb has retired from the Air Force after more than 32 years of service, concluding a military career that began in 1989 and culminated as Command Chief of the 919th Special Operations Wing. In this […]

In Episode 61 of the FireDawg Podcast, Matt Wilson is joined by former Air Force firefighter Chris Lopardi for a conversation about service, loss, fatherhood, and transitioning out of the military. Chris shares how losing his son, Mason, shaped his outlook on life and influenced his decision-making during and after his time in the Air Force. The episode also explores why transition planning should begin years in advance, what service members should focus on before separating, and how fire service experience can translate into successful civilian careers. Chris now works in Environmental, Health, and Safety and offers insight into what […]

In Episode 60 of the FireDawg Podcast, host Matt Wilson sits down with Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Shanton Russell for a reflective conversation on career progression, leadership philosophy, and long-term success in the Air Force Fire Protection community. Chief Russell shares his full-circle journey—entering the Air Force as a young firefighter at Scott Air Force Base in 1996 and retiring nearly 30 years later as the Fire Chief at the same installation. Throughout the discussion, he reflects on the lessons learned early in his career, how his leadership approach evolved as he progressed through the enlisted ranks, and the experiences […]