Better Every Shift

Conversations on firefighting, station life, crew dynamics AI summary

FireRescue1 Visit website › Government · EN · 329 episodes · latest 2026-11-12

Rank 407

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What it is about

FireRescue1’s Better Every Shift Podcast spotlights the passion and perseverance of firefighters. Hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, Firefighter Aaron Zamzow, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life. Zamzow and guests tackle myriad hot topics, whether fire service, news or even pop culture-focused, bringing some levity to the often very serious nature of the profession. Dig into what drives firefighters to improve themselves, their crew, even the fire service as a whole. Listen in to get better every day, every call, every shift.

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Latest episodes

De Sena: Do hard things — you’ll feel better E

2026-11-12 · 38 min · Episode 330

Do the hard thing first — and the rest of the day gets better from there. Spartan Raches founder Joe De Sena returns to Better Every Shift this week (turning down Joe Rogan’s podcast to be with us, we might add) to talk…
Inside the research reshaping fireground tactics

2026-11-05 · 1 hr 0 min · Episode 329

For years, fire research went to a file drawer at the National Fire Academy instead of the fireground. Dr. Dan Madrzykowski of UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) has spent decades closing that…
Inside FDNY's push to unify fire and EMS

2026-10-30 · 39 min · Episode 328

FDNY wants EMS to be a destination, not a waiting room for the next job. That’s the pitch from Chief of Department John Esposito, who says too many medics leave over pay before they build the experience that makes them…
How to build realistic command simulations

2026-10-22 · 38 min · Episode 327

Some of the hardest fires you’ll ever command are ones you can’t safely recreate for real. A well-built simulation is the closest most firefighters will get. Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Captain Mark Killion…
Is your culture your best recruiter?

2026-10-15 · 39 min · Episode 326

The best recruiting pitch might be the one you never make. Kentland (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department Sergeant Alex Caldaro says his Prince George’s County house doesn’t beg for members, doesn’t lower its standards and…
USA vs. Australia: What each fire service does better

2026-10-08 · 37 min · Episode 325

Australia has been using door control and flow path for roughly a decade longer than we have — and it's still wrestling with the same recruitment, burnout and mental health problems you are. After separate trips there,…
‘I need to talk’: Four words can change everything

2026-10-01 · 39 min · Episode 324

“Meet me at the bench.” That’s it. No explanation required. Retired Orlando firefighters Chris DeMaagd and Joseph McCluan created The Bench 988 as a safe place for firefighters who want to connect with someone — ideally…
Dad 101: CRR beyond smoke alarms

2026-09-25 · 44 min · Episode 323

Community risk reduction doesn’t have to start with smoke alarms, fall prevention or another familiar program. Sometimes it starts with a firefighter asking, “What does our community actually need?” Cherry Grove…
What firefighters really want from training

2026-09-17 · 54 min · Episode 322

“Stop talking. Give me reps.” That’s the message from the What Firefighters Want survey report focused on training. Captain Lisa Burton joins Zam and Janelle to break down the survey findings, including the fact that…
What ‘Never Forget’ means 25 years later

2026-09-09 · 1 hr 14 min · Episode 321

As mark the 25-year remembrance of 9/11, FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito joins podcast hosts Lt. Aaron Zamzow, Jim Dudley and Rob Lawrence for a deeply personal conversation about 9/11, its enduring impact and…

Episode details from the publisher’s feed. Playback happens at the publisher.

Publisher details

Oldest episode in feed: 01/2020 · over 6 years
Typical length: 43 min
Format: Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

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