Before They’re Gone is a gripping, story-driven podcast that dives headfirst into the real-life chaos, triumphs, and trauma of a first responder’s career—told by the man who lived it: my dad, Country. From harrowing rescues to moments that nearly cost him his life, each bi-monthly episode unpacks the raw truth behind the sirens. With guest appearances from fellow responders who were in the thick of it, this is more than storytelling—it’s a race against time to preserve the voices and memories of those who’ve seen it all, before they’re gone.
Some moments in history are remembered by the entire world. Others are remembered differently by the people who were there.
In this episode of Before They're Gone, Country takes us back to September 11, 2001. He was on shift when the attacks happened. What followed would take him and Texas Task Force 1 from Texas to New York City.
Before the search and rescue operations could begin, they had to get there.
In Part 1, Country shares what he remembers about that day, the call to respond, and the journey to New York in the aftermath of one of America's darkest days.
This is the beginning of his firsthand account of 9/11. A story that deserves to be told in his own words.
29 Sept 2026
The Fire Up on Cat Mountain
Still at 31s, Country takes us back to a house fire up on Cat Mountain.
This episode gets into what a search actually looked like inside a burning home. How the crew moved through the house. What they were looking for. How the layout changed what they had to do.
Country walks us through the call as they made their way farther inside, not knowing what they were going to find.
By the end of it, the actions of the crew would earn them the Medal of Merit.
8 Sept 2026
31s, Better Known as Bull Creek Country Club
Station 31 had a reputation. Around the department, it was better known as the Bull Creek Country Club.
Country spends some time talking about what life was like at 31s and how much the Task Force was starting to shape his career. But there is one call from those years that he has never forgotten.
He tells the story of responding to a devastating car wreck involving a young woman named Jacqui Saburido. At the time, she was simply the victim of a terrible crash. In the years that followed, her face and her story would become known around the world through campaigns against drunk driving.
It is one of those calls where Country knew only what was in front of him that night, without any idea how far the story would eventually reach.
This week on Before They’re Gone, we’re heading to 31s.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
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