The Firefighter After Action Review Podcast from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honors fallen fire heroes by sharing their stories and the lessons learned from line-of-duty deaths. Each episode examines a past firefighter LODD, exploring what happened, who the firefighters were as people, and how their departments have worked to improve firefighter safety, prevent future tragedies, and honor their fallen members. The series transforms experience into education to help build a safer, more survivable fire service.
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Remembering the Firefighters of the 1964 Marshalls Creek Explosion (Part 2)
More than 60 years later, the story of the 1964 Marshalls Creek explosion still carries lessons for firefighters today. Hear firsthand memories of the tragedy and visit the memorial honoring the firefighters and civilians who lost their lives.
1 Aug 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: The 1964 Marshalls Creek Explosion That Changed Hazmat Safety (Part 1)
On this episode of Firefighter After Action Review, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation podcast, we recall a devastating explosion in Marshalls Creek, Pennsylvania, claimed the lives of three firefighters and three civilians in 1964. Though largely forgotten today, this tragedy led to nationwide changes in hazardous materials transportation, emergency response, and firefighter safety. In Part 1 of this episode of the Firefighter After Action Review, members of the Marshalls Creek Fire Company share firsthand accounts of the disaster, its lasting impact on their department, and the lessons every firefighter can learn today.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire – Bonus Episode
On this episode of Firefighter After Action Review, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation podcast, listeners are taken on a guided tour of the memorial site honoring the nine firefighters who lost their lives in the tragic Sofa Superstore Fire in Charleston on June 18, 2007. Led by a firefighter who responded to the incident that day, the conversation offers a deeply personal and moving perspective on one of the deadliest firefighter tragedies in recent history.
As the tour unfolds, we walk through the memorial’s carefully designed features, including the recreated footprint of the original structure and the markers identifying where each firefighter was found. Through firsthand accounts and detailed storytelling, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the fire’s progression, the challenges crews faced, and the lasting impact the incident continues to have on the fire service.
This episode serves as both a remembrance of the Charleston 9 and a powerful reflection on sacrifice, service, and the lessons learned from tragedy.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire – Episode 3
In this third installment of Firefighter After Action Review, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation podcast, firefighters who responded to the Sofa Superstore fire share a candid and deeply personal look at the tragedy and its lasting impact. They reflect on the memorial built at the site and the significant changes within the Charleston Fire Department, including new stations, enhanced technology, and a stronger focus on mental health.
At the heart of the episode is a powerful tribute to the “Charleston Nine,” as firefighters honor their fallen colleagues through personal stories that capture their character and legacy. The conversation also explores the emotional toll of the tragedy, lessons learned, and the ongoing commitment to improving training, safety culture, and leadership across the fire service.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire – Episode 2
In part 2 of the Firefighter After Action Review: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire series we examine the personal and psychological toll of the incident, including navigating federal investigations, second-guessing decisions on future calls, and leaning on the strength of peer support from across the fire service—especially from departments like FDNY. At its core, this discussion highlights the profound cultural and operational changes that followed, from critical improvements in equipment, training, staffing, and funding to a renewed focus on leadership and accountability.
Through their stories, the voices in this episode honor the nine fallen firefighters while delivering a powerful message to the fire service: never become complacent, and never stop learning from the past.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire
Firefighter After Action Review: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire takes listeners inside the experiences of Charleston Fire Department leaders, as they share their firsthand experiences from the tragic Sofa Superstore fire on June 18, 2007, which claimed nine firefighter lives.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: The Glen Allen Fire in Altadena, California – Part 3
In the powerful final episode of our this Firefighter After Action Review series on the Glen Allen Fire of August 20, 1993, we bring together survivors and fire service leaders for a profound conversation about a tragedy that changed the fire service forever. Gabe and Roy reflect on the moment that shaped their lives, sharing why they continue to tell this story—not only as a source of personal healing, but as a way to honor their fallen brothers, Art Ruezga and Chris Herman, and ensure their sacrifices lead to lasting change.
The episode explores how far the fire service has come in the decades since, particularly in its evolving culture around mental health, peer support, and acknowledging the emotional toll of the job. Senior leaders—including Chief Garcia, Chief Gaylor, and retired Chief Tom Harbor—offer candid insight into the organizational and systemic failures that contributed to the incident, from communication gaps to equipment challenges, and discuss how the lessons learned have influenced reforms at every level.
This closing chapter serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of learning from tragedy—so that every firefighter goes home, and no line-of-duty death is ever forgotten.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: The Glen Allen Fire in Altadena, California – Part 2
This episode of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast honors Los Angeles County wildland firefighters Arthur Ruezga and Christopher Herman, who died in the line of duty while battling the Glen Allen Fire on August 20, 1993. Hosts Michael Preet and Tom Harbor speak with Firefighter Gabe Larios and Engineer Roy Rodriguez, who survived the incident. Assistant Chief Robert Gaylor of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Fire Chief Robert Garcia of the Angeles National Forest also contribute to the discussion, offering context on incident command and departmental procedures from that time.
Larios and Rodriguez provide a fire line perspective on the events of that day, recalling how their ad-hoc “fly crew” was assembled and deployed, the initial impression that the fire appeared manageable, and the subsequent breakdown in communications. They describe the critical decision to continue cutting a line downhill without visibility of the main fire, the sudden flare-up that overran their crew, and their personal experiences during the burnover and immediate aftermath. Reflecting on that day, they discuss the enduring lessons learned about situational awareness, reassessing tactics, and the life-saving importance of personal protective equipment like fire shelters.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: The Glen Allen Fire in Altadena, California
This episode of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast honored the two Los Angeles County wildland firefighters, Arthur Ruezga and Christopher Herman, who died in the line of duty while battling the Glen Allen Fire on August 20, 1993. The hosts, Michael Preet and Tom Harbor, interviewed Assistant Chief Robert Gaylor of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Fire Chief Robert Garcia of the Angeles National Forest. The discussion covered the history and close collaboration between the two agencies, a detailed recounting of the Glen Allen incident, and the challenges faced that day, including stretched resources due to other ongoing fires, severe communication breakdowns, and extremely difficult terrain. The interviewees emphasized the critical lessons learned from the tragedy, which led to significant improvements in inter-agency cooperation, unified command structures, communication protocols, and a cultural shift toward proactive risk management in the fire service.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Independence Avenue Fire – Kansas City, Missouri
In this episode of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast, Kansas City Fire Department leaders—including Chief of Department Ross Grunden, Battalion Chief Mike Hopkins, Chief Ted Henry, and Retired Firefighter John Sirna —reflect on the 2015 line-of-duty deaths of firefighters Larry Leggio and John Mesh during a structure fire on Independence Avenue. They discuss the challenges posed by the building’s construction, the difficulty of locating the arson fire, and the tragic wall collapse that claimed the two firefighters’ lives.
The conversation highlights key lessons learned and the departmental changes that followed, including improved collapse zone management, better time tracking on the fireground, and the widespread adoption of thermal imaging cameras. This discussion also delves into the profound emotional impact of the tragedy, the critical importance of clear communication during operations, and the idea of a “25-year cycle,” where major incidents recur as institutional memory fades.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: U.S. Highway 71 Fire – Kansas City, Missouri
In this episode of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast, Kansas City Fire Department leaders—including Chief of Department Ross Grunden, Chief Ted Henry, and Battalion Chief Mike Hopkins, and Retired Firefighter John Sirna recall the 1988 Highway 71 explosion that killed 6 firefighters. This discussion covers the details of the 1988 incident, how it impacted the department and led to the creation of the KCFD’s hazmat response capabilities, as well as the lasting legacy of these tragic events.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Southwest Boulevard Gasoline Storage Tank Fire – Kansas City, Missouri
In this episode of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast, Kansas City Fire Department leaders—including Chief of Department Ross Grunden, Chief Ted Henry, and Battalion Chief Mike Hopkins—reflect on the 1959 Southwest Boulevard Fire that claimed the lives of five firefighters. Retired Firefighter John Sirna, the grandson of one of the fallen, shares how the tragedy shaped his family, his career, and the deep bonds within the fire service. Together, they explore how the incident led to lasting changes in tactics, equipment, and remembrance.
17 Jul 2026
Firefighter After Action Review Podcast: Kansas City, Missouri
In this episode of the After Action Review Podcast: Kansas City, Fire Chief Ross Grundyson and Battalion Chief Mike Hopkins of the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department share historical context and insight into three tragic incidents—and reflect on how each one shaped their department and influenced the broader fire service.
16 Jul 2026
Quackenbush Warehouse Fire – Paterson Fire Department’s History
At the Quackenbush Warehouse Fire on March 12, 1938, Paterson, New Jersey, lost five of its bravest. Deputy Chief James P. Sweeney, Captain John Davenport, Fireman Louis Rodeski, Fireman Matthew O’Neill, and Fireman William Lynch died fighting the four-alarm blaze.
This two-part podcast features Fire Chief Brian McDermott of today’s Paterson Fire Department. The interview revealed several interesting points, including Paterson’s unique approach to the rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned buildings.
16 Jul 2026
Quackenbush Warehouse Fire – Paterson Fire Department Today
At the Quackenbush Warehouse Fire on March 12, 1938, Paterson, New Jersey, lost five of its bravest. Deputy Chief James P. Sweeney, Captain John Davenport, Fireman Louis Rodeski, Fireman Matthew O’Neill, and Fireman William Lynch died fighting the four-alarm blaze.
This two-part podcast features Fire Chief Brian McDermott of today’s Paterson Fire Department. The interview revealed several interesting points, including Paterson’s unique approach to the rehabilitation of vacant and abandoned buildings.
The second segment provides a closer look at how Paterson Fire Department operates today—and how it responds to challenges that are common to many fire departments.
16 Jul 2026
The Story of Harrisonburg Tower 1
November 14, 2020, started off just like any other day for the Harrisonburg Fire Department in Virginia. At 10:07 am, everything changed.
The department was alerted for a structure fire, not an uncommon occurrence for the four-station department – serving approximately 52,000 residents and home to James Madison University.
It was what happened to Tower 1 that made this response different.
The Harrisonburg Fire Department takes pride in its professionalism and commitment to safety. On November 14, a convergence of forces resulted in a situation that nearly led to the death of one of Tower 1’s members. As Tower 1’s officer noted, “I would feel awful if this happened somewhere else…if doing this awareness saves just one person, it’s worth it.”
Thank you to Chief Matt Tobia and the members of the Harrisonburg Fire Department for courageously sharing their near-miss event.
16 Jul 2026
Red Light, Green Light, Blue Light – The Department
As part of the Firefighter After Action Review Podcast series, the Puccia episodes are a two-part series that shares the story of Firefighter Michael Puccia through the recollections of the two groups most impacted by his loss: his family and his fire department. Listeners will learn about Firefighter Puccia’s life and legacy as a husband, father, and firefighter, while gaining insight into the FDNY’s commitment to honoring fallen members and ensuring we never forget.
16 Jul 2026
Red Light, Green Light, Blue Light – The Family
In this epsiode of the Firefighter After Action Review podcast, is the first of a two-part series that tells the story Firefighter Puccia’s through the recollections of the two groups most affected by his loss: his family and his department. Viewers and listeners will gain insight into Firefighter Puccia as a husband, father, and firefighter—and witness FDNY’s solid determination that we will never forget.
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