What does it take to become an Indiana Smoke Diver? In Episode 68, Chris Bauchle and Austin Perry sit down with Corey Gotay to talk about choosing discomfort, pursuing excellence, and refusing to settle for average in the fire service. Corey began his career with the 128th Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2020 and quickly developed a reputation for pushing himself beyond the standard. After becoming the Top Graduate of the DoD Firefighter Rescue & Survival (FRAS) Course in 2023-where he also set the course record for the air consumption drill-he continued chasing growth by earning the title of Indiana […]

In this episode, Matt sits down with Kim Jolly, CEO of AOS Services Inc., to discuss the critical role equipment testing, maintenance, and compliance play in keeping fire departments operational and mission ready. With more than 30 years of experience, Kim shares how AOS supports fire departments and military installations worldwide through specialized services including SCBA testing, hose testing, hydrostatic testing, fire trainer inspections, and comprehensive equipment maintenance. We dive into why proper certification matters, the value of expert technicians, how departments can maximize equipment lifespan, and what fire chiefs should know when balancing compliance, readiness, and budget constraints. Whether […]

In Episode 66 , Matt sits down with Flip Griffin. Flip’s journey spans from Navy corpsman to Search and Rescue professional, ultimately serving as a Command Master Chief—one of the highest enlisted leadership roles in the Navy—before transitioning into fire service leadership consulting. This conversation dives into the realities of Naval Search and Rescue, the scope of military medical and aviation support, and the leadership responsibilities that come with operating in complex, mission-driven environments. Flip shares how his experiences shaped his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the critical role of communication, accountability, and structured systems in building effective teams. Matt and Flip […]

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 […]