Josh Graham is a second-generation career firefighter with over a decade of experience in a large, fast-growing urban fire department in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to his firefighting career, he has more than ten years of paramedic experience, having worked in both urban and rural settings.

Josh spent two years in the Training Division as the Technical Rescue lead, where he developed programs across multiple disciplines to support his department’s transition toward mandated certification. His programs focus on NFPA standards while ensuring crews are equipped with the necessary skills, training, and experience to operate effectively. He has also played a key role as a Lead Instructor in several Recruit Academies.

In late 2023, Josh returned to the Operations Division and is currently assigned to a station housing both an Engine and a Technical Rescue apparatus. He continues to contribute to the Training Division as an Acting Training Officer and serves as a Lead Instructor for Rope and Water Rescue, Engine Operations, Search and Rescue, and Firefighter Survival.

A firm believer in the historic culture of the fire service, Josh values camaraderie, craftsmanship, and the traditions that define the profession. While modern shifts emphasize safety culture and individualism, he believes that the strength of the fire service lies in its shared commitment to training, continual skill development, and the mentorship of future generations. His passion for the job is fueled by the enthusiastic passing of knowledge, experience, and tradition.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as hunting, fishing, camping, mountain biking, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Josh curates a firefighting-focused Instagram page dedicated to sharing relevant training content and fire service culture. His goal is to showcase the confidence and effectiveness of aggressive firefighting, often misunderstood as reckless or dangerous—while highlighting its critical value in saving lives and property.

@dumpdawg_jr

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Rob Thibert is an 18-year member of the Fire Service. Rob is the Deputy Fire Chief with the Minden Hills Fire Department in Ontario, Canada. Rob's leadership style is to lead from the front, aggressively progressing the department's tactics and succession all while keeping the safety of his crew in mind and always striving to leave the job better than he found it. Rob is a legacy firefighter following in his Father’s footsteps. During his down time, he loves spending time with my three sons and two dogs, being outdoors. He has instructed at Lambton College Fire School in the Pre-Service and Fire Science programs. He is the Treasurer and one of the co-founders of True North FOOLS. Rob is a student of the Fire Service and is passionate about sharing his love for the trade by passing on what has worked and what has been passed on to him. Rob founded the Smoke is Showing Conference, which builds a strong Fire Department culture through training, brotherhood, and traditions.

@mfd_deputychief

@truenorthfools

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Joey is 34 years old and a happily married father of two young boys.

After 10 years in the fire service, I was diagnosed with PTSD. My symptoms included panic attacks, disassociation, suicidal ideations, sleep issues, anxiety and depression. As I began my treatment, I found it lacking as the conventional treatment was aimed at giving pharmaceuticals to help my symptoms while failing to address the nervous system and the body. This approach placed me in a victim mindset and has been ineffective for me. After trying the conventional approach, I started to experiment with things outside the mainstream. Ice baths, saunas, breath work, meditation, journaling, TRE, float tanks, EMDR, neurofeedback, plant medicines and many other non-conventional approaches ended up being what gave me relief and allowed me to pull myself out of despair. Fast forward 3 years from my initial treatment and I am now working to give people skills before pills.

Through Conscious Movements, participates are introduced to the language of body and taught how to use their breath and movement to regulate themselves. Conscious Movements works on a physical, mental, emotional, and energetic level and encourages the practitioner to tune into the body and allow the mind to settle back. Through conscious attention, breath and movement we are able to connect to deeper parts of ourselves and encourage healing in a way conventional medicine doesn’t offer. Learning the skill of self-regulation allows you to be the best version of yourself, whether that’s a friend, parent, partner, boss, employee, athlete, or student.

@conscious_movements

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To celebrate, the team comes together to talk all things MCP.

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Gareth Lockhart is a career Firefighter and Acting Officer with over 14 years of experience in a medium-sized suburban department outside Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Gareth is best known for being a leader in driving successful lobbying of staffing, health & safety issues through political action as a union executive board member. He presents on cognitive priming and deliberate practice to instill foundational skills in firefighters. His passions lie in Operations and Training, ensuring all firefighters can access modern, aggressive strategies and tactics through inclusive, data-driven methodologies, supported by those who actively participate and demonstrate the skills they teach. The battle against complacency starts with a “we” not “me” ethos.

@lockhart63

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Stephanie White is a 21-year veteran of the fire service. She started her journey as a volunteer, and has been a career firefighter/paramedic in Virginia for the past 19 years. 

Over her career she’s been actively involved in firefighter health and wellness while being assigned to some pretty great companies. She is currently enjoying the challenge that is spelling and writing while living the shift-work life. 

Stephanie is the managing editor of Firefighter Nation.

@thatpaperworkff

@thefiveaftermidnightpodcast

@firefighternationhq

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Kyle Beaumont is a senior firefighter with 20 years of fire service experience. Kyle currently serves with the Oak Bay Fire Department in Victoria, BC, Canada as an acting Lieutenant and acting assistant Chief. With a strong passion for the fire service and a formal education in Organizational Leadership from Royal Roads University, Kyle recognizes the integral connection between effective training and department culture. Kyle is an instructor for Prepare 4 Rescue Ltd., a department IAFF Fireground Survival Instructor, and actively contributes to the development of training programs within his department. Drawing from personal experience and observation, he firmly believes that tackling challenging physical tasks is essential for fostering both individual and team resilience.

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Manny Barajas has been with San Antonio Fire for the last 8 years. He’s a Marine Combat Veteran and proud San Antonio Southsider. After 7 years on the front lines, he was promoted and is now in the EMS division.

@manny_b210

@andyfredericksghost

Manuelbarajas210@gmail.com

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Dave “Chops Phillips” is a retired EMS (Ornge) Helicopter Pilot, whose life took an unexpected turn in 2015 when he confronted the challenging reality of PTSD, a battle that many first responders face. He is currently an advocate for mental health awareness, with his company Code33 Apparel. Code33 Apparel is not just about fashion, but about making a difference. Every purchase supports PTSD and mental health awareness initiatives.

www.code33apparel.com

@thecode33apparel

@theschops

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Narration of the article published online at Firefighter Nation.

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Kevin Pfluger is a 18 year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Lieutenant at the Live Oak (TX) fire department. He is the President of the Live Oak Professional Firefighters Association Local 4098.  Through the local, Kevin is the lead organizer of the Dagum Texas Fire Conference. He teaches as the lead instructor for THE DAGUM PUSH engine ops cadre, helps teach firefighter rescue and survival skills on the “No Quit RIT” Cadre, teaches with the Bearers of the Oath Cadre out of Georgia and teaches with the Ambassadors of The Craft Cadre on the West Coast.  Kevin works for Mercedes Textiles Hose as a Consultant and is on the UL 19 Technical Committee for 0219-Fire Hose. 

@kevin_pfluger_

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Sean is a devoted husband to his best friend Colleen, proud father of Lochlan and Ireland. He is a life long student in the fire service with 1 volunteer and 24 career. 

He completed the Seneca College Fire Protection Technologist Program and is a lead instructor in many disciplines favouring Building Construction, Auto Extrication, and Fire Behaviour. He is pushes to learn something new everyday.

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Captain Rob Ramirez was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He has been a passionate student of the Fire  Service for over 22 years and holds degrees in Fire Science and Public Administration. Rob is a state-certified Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, and Live Fire Training Instructor. Since 2005, he has served as a Rescue Team Manager for the Department of Homeland Security F.E.M.A. U.S.A.R.Florida Task Force out of Miami, FL. He has deployed on many national and international high-profile USAR missions, including the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and major Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Florence,Michael, and Ian. Rob is the founder and Lead Instructor of Mayday Mindset Consulting LLC. Rob is also the lead instructor for the Firefighter Rescue programs at the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Expo Conference and travels nationally and internationally as a guest instructor, speaker, and keynote at various Fire Conferences throughout the year. During his Fire Service career, Rob has held the ranks of Fireman, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Dept. Training Officer, and Fire Captain. He is currently assigned to a busy Truck Company in Broward County, South Florida.

robramirez@maydaymindset.com

@robramirez1075_official

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Mickey Farrell is a Lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department, a third-generation firefighter with 29 years of experience, the last 23 years being with the FDNY. Also a team instructor at the New York City Fire Academy, founder and author of Top Floor Tactics, and host of ‘A View From the Top Floor Podcast’.

topfloortactics.com

@topfloortactics

@national_fire _radio

youtube.com/@NationalFireRadio

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Suh Hughart, EMT-P, FcEHS got into EMS in 2010. She has experience working in private, hospital-based, and 911 ambulance services. She has been working for San Marcos Hays County EMS since 2011 where she works as a field paramedic and EMS educator. A paramedic of over 10 years, she is a recipient of the Dr. Larry Miller Fellowship with the Centre for Emergency Health Sciences. Suh is a part of the Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking and is an EMS Instructor for the Kyle Fire Department. She has spoken at state and national EMS conferences on the topic of human trafficking; including at FDIC International. Suh is a published author and content reviewer. 

stronghartstrategies@gmail.com
@suzyq384

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Andy Starnes is a lifelong student of the fire service and has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1992 and as a career firefighter since 1998. He is a fire service website contributor on thermal imaging, fire behavior, leadership, behavioral health, and faith-based devotions. He is passionate about fire behavior and regularly assists in instructing others on the complex terminology of modern fire behavior. He serves as a board member on the non-profit organization 5-Alarm Task Force which raises funds to support first responders, is a Master Craftsman with Project Kill the Flashover, and supports numerous first responder charities through Insight Training He has been featured on numerous podcasts and presented tactical thermal imaging courses at fire service conferences across the globe. His work has been featured in fire service publications, Euro Firefighter 2, and other fire service textbooks. He has trained and/or assisted departments with Thermal Imaging Training in all 50 states and numerous other countries. Insight Training’s Thermal Imaging Curriculum is in use in Canada as an integral part of their 'From Knowledge to Practice Fire Dynamics Program'. Insight Training LLC instructor cadre are fire service veterans and are Level 1 Thermography Industrial Certified from Infrared Training Center. Andy currently serves as a Battalion Chief in a large career department in NC, is Level II Thermography Certified, and provides training internationally. He consults manufacturers and assists with product development. Insight Training LLC developed the first thermography-based firefighter certification credentialed through the Infrared Training Center. 

www.insighttrainingllc.com

andystarnes@instructorandystarnes.com

IG @insighttrnllc

IG @andrew.starnes.733

FB @andrewstarnes

FB @insightfiretraining 

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Adam Maiers is a person like you who loves the fire service. A person who finds comfort in learning, growth, failure, and the nuance of the little things in training and life. He truly believes in service before self, a family man blessed in his life and circle. In his words, he has been in the fire service for a few years for a few departments in a few states. He is also a huge fan of all his Engine Zero Homies. 

Keep Grinding!

@amaiers

@enginezeroactual

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Ryan is a 17-year firefighter/paramedic with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. He is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor and the first operational firefighter in the world with an internal defibrillator.

@ryanhill19

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