The FireDawg Podcast

How do we prepare firefighters to perform when stress, pressure, and uncertainty are at their highest?
In this episode, clinical psychologist and translational neuroscientist Dr. Sarah Jackson joins Travis and Dyess AFB firefighters Chris Muriset, Eric Murillo, and Jon Donaldson to discuss stress inoculation training and its application within the fire service. Through collaboration between Travis AFB and Dyess AFB Fire Departments, the team is exploring ways to integrate mental performance training with traditional physical and tactical training. The goal is to better prepare firefighters to recognize their stress responses, maintain performance under pressure, and develop practical skills for managing stress.
Topics include:
Understanding stress inoculation training and how it differs from stress exposure.
Training mental and physical performance together.
Breathing techniques and physiological stress management.
Using controlled stress scenarios to develop adaptive performance.
Recognizing when stress affects communication, decision-making, and fine motor skills.
The importance of active recovery following stressful events.
Applying these skills beyond the fireground and into everyday life.
Stress is inevitable in our profession, but how we prepare for it, respond to it, and recover from it can make all the difference.
Take a breath, reassess, then attack.
A special episode for the FireDawg Podcast as Austin Perry takes the reins as solo host for the first time!

On February 4, 2007, a flashover changed Lionel Crowther’s life forever. He suffered burns to 70% of his body, while two of his fellow firefighters, Captain Lessard and Captain Nichols, tragically lost their lives.
In this episode, Lionel shares a firsthand account of that day and reflects on the lasting impact on him, his family, and the fire service. Nearly two decades later, he continues to serve as a Captain with the Winnipeg Fire Department while dedicating himself to supporting burn-injured firefighters, their families, and those struggling with post-traumatic stress.
We also discuss the IAFF Fire Ground Survival Program, firefighter health, sleep, physical fitness, and the importance of taking care of our own. Lionel’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, leadership, and finding purpose after tragedy.

In Episode 69, Matt and Austin explore how real-world experience, hard calls, mentorship, and recognizing what you don't know can shape the way firefighters train and make decisions.
They discuss the experiences that influenced Austin's approach to the fire service, along with stress response, cognitive load, skill acquisition, and the progression from mechanics to consistency to intensity.
A conversation about learning from experience and building better training methodologies for performance under stress.

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 Smoke Diver in 2024.
Now serving as a civilian firefighter in Wisconsin, Corey shares the mindset behind constantly seeking challenge and putting himself in difficult environments to grow.
Listen now on FireDawg.us or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of The FireDawg Podcast, we sit 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 you’re a firefighter, officer, or fire service leader, this conversation offers valuable insight into the systems and services working behind the scenes to ensure your equipment performs when it matters most.
In this episode, we cover:
• Fire equipment testing and NFPA compliance
• SCBA, hose, and hydrostatic testing requirements
• The importance of specialized technicians
• Fire trainer inspections and maintenance
• Extending equipment lifecycle and maximizing value
• Best practices for fire department readiness