Into the Fire

Episode 10: The Special People Behind AMFEMS’ Special Operations

Despite holding the titles of firefighter – much of what Captain Travis Bell and Major Mike Arth do on a daily basis has nothing to do with fires. Those two help lead the Special Operations at Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS – a fast growing division aimed at tackling the unique scenarios that first responders find themselves in. From tornado rescues, to flooding and every weather related disaster, the AMFEMS’ special ops teams are expanding their tool kit to be ready to respond to every emergency. Hear from Bell and Arth on today’s episode of ‘Into the Fire’ and get a closer look at what special ops really means.

Episode 9: The Chip Terry Fund

In Chip Terry’s retirement speech, he talked about the horrors he had seen as a firefighter. Dead children, suicides, abuse and more. Not long after that speech, Chip would take his own life from suicide. Though his wife Jo had seen signs of his struggles, what she, and even the doctors didn’t realize, was that Chip was dealing with PTSD. Often thought of as a something that impacts soldiers, Jo is now on a mission to help first responders struggling with what they see and deal with every day in their jobs. For Jo, there is no more not talking about. It’s time fire departments get serious about mental health. On today’s podcast, hear our conversation with Jo Terry and her discuss the work to give every firefighter the mental health resources they deserve.

Episode 8: Chief Groody Returns for a 2024 Status Report

Chief Groody is back on the podcast! With 2024 in full swing, the Chief returns to the podcast to give a status report on the department and update listeners on all the big happenings. With news around hazmat, recruit classes and yes, even the PGA, there is plenty to update folks on. On top of all of that, with the legislative session moving quickly, the Chief talks about some bills they monitoring, both good and bad, and what they might mean for AMFEMS’ firefighters. A big episode to start 2024 – listen now!

Episode 7: Mental Health and Emergency Services

Being a firefighter is not an easy profession. Long hours and late nights can push your physical and mental limits. Routinely witnessing traumatic events will impact everyone at some point.
For a long time, firefighters who had dealt with trauma or struggled to cope with the realities of the job were told to keep quiet. They didn’t talk about mental health, anxiety or PTSD. In turn, too many used unhealthy methods to cope; excessive drinking among them. Today, to help those who may be struggling on the job, or at home, AMFEMS has two chaplains on staff, ready to provide care to the firefighters to help them fulfill their duties. The fire and EMS service is a demanding job that puts personnel at risk. The chaplains understand the levels of that risk and attempt to help manage the impact with members.
On today’s episode Chaplains Mike Caci and Wayne Bishop join Chief Tyler and Jordan to talk about the importance of their roles, how they help the team, and why talking about mental health and not ignoring it is critical for success.

Episode 6: The Man who Keeps EMS Running

For Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, on most days, the 'EMS' is the biggest part of their jobs. For AMFEMS, 80% of what they do is EMS or EMS related. Enter Lt. Colonel Keith Brooks – the man that keeps it all running. On the latest episode of Into the Fire, Lt. Col. Brooks joins us to talk about the evolution of firefighters turning more towards EMS and how that impacts the focus of the organization. From training to tools and everything in between, Brooks helps keep the staff ready to deal with a huge part of their job. Still think firefighters just save cats from trees? Today you’ll learn how they are saving even more lives every day.

Episode 5: The Journey to Become a Firefighter

In April 0f 2023 Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS graduated their third recruit academy. Among those in that graduating class were Luke Sivado and Dwayne Carter - two young men who have now spent the last few months on the street as firefighters. So how did they get there? On today's episode of 'Into the Fire' we talk with Luke and Dwayne about their journey to becoming AMFEMS firefighters. What made them interested? How was the academy experience? What is it like being a part of this profession? The two of them breakdown it all - and give some advice to current recruits in the academy right now. Listen in now to hear their stories.

Episode 4: Everything You Need to Know about AMFEMS’ Hazmat Team

Since Brad Oser has been a firefighter, plenty of things have changed. Folks often think firefighters just put out fires and save kittens in trees, but the profession faces new challenges every day. One of those unique challenges? Hazmat. On the latest episode of 'Into the Fire' Major Brad Oser talks hazmat, what it is, and how it intersects with AMFEMS' work. AMFEMS hopes to have the best hazmat team in the region. So how do we get there? Tune in to the latest episode to hear.

Episode 3: Educating and Inspiring a New Generation of Firefighters

Yesterday’s firefighters are simply not today’s firefighters. Not only has the job requirements changed, and the challenges changed, but personalities and culture have changed. At AMFEMS that means always being willing to adapt - to be flexible, and support our team members. On this episode of Into the Fire, Executive Assistant Chief Kevin Tyler joins the program to talk about the changing nature of firefighting and how AMFEMS continues to be on the cutting edge of supporting and developing its firefighting teams. Listen now to a wide-ranging conversation on culture, workplace discipline and much more.

Episode 2: How AMFEMS Recruits and Trains Elite Firefighters

Welcome to Episode 2 of Into the Fire! On today’s episode Captain Mark Ohlmann, the Workforce Development Training Officer, joins the show to talk about AMFEMS training program and how they recruit and educate the most elite firefighters. At AMFEMS it is all about creating a brotherhood, where every firefighter can trust and believe in the men and women riding with them. But that process isn’t always easy. In today’s conversation Captain Olhmann takes us through that process, and how it makes AMFEMS the best in the business. Listen now!

Episode 1: How AMFEMS Came to Be and the Future of the Department

Welcome to Episode 1 of Into the Fire! Over the course of this podcast we will dive into many parts of Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS - but to start, let's get to know a little bit about our history. On today's podcast, AMFEMS Chief Kevin Groody joins us to take us through the merger that created AMFEMS, the challenges and benefits of running a large force and the we chat about what the future of our department might look like. Get to know the chief, how we came to be and much more on Episode 1! Listen now!