What should firefighters do when they're off duty?

This week, the guys tackle a listener question from Squawk, a brand-new firefighter getting ready to start his career. They discuss why every firefighter needs hobbies outside the fire service, how to balance them with family life, and which hobbies can actually become unhealthy.

The conversation covers everything from golf, fishing, smoking meat, lawn care, softball, Disney trips, and camping... to why your hobby should never become more important than your spouse or kids.

The crew also announces the July Patreon Perks winner, talks about new Unkie's Seasonings taste-testing, Burn Box gear, honors firefighters and loved ones lost in the line of duty, and answers listener comments from social media.

Whether you're a rookie firefighter or have decades on the job, this episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself—and your family—is part of being a great firefighter.

In This Episode:

- Why firefighters need hobbies outside of work

- Can certain hobbies become unhealthy?

- Balancing the fire service with family life

- Mental health and finding healthy outlets

- Golf, fishing, cooking, camping & other firefighter hobbies

- The importance of paycheck protection for risky hobbies

- July Patreon Perks giveaway winner

- Unkie's Seasonings community flavor project

- Burn Box gear spotlight

- Honoring firefighters and loved ones we've lost

- Listener questions & Snail Mail

If you're enjoying the show, consider joining our Patreon community for bonus content, behind-the-scenes videos, giveaways, and exclusive perks.

Stay safe... and remember:

Laugh. Learn. Support.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Robotic vacuums & opening banter
01:20 - Doug's hair dye update
02:20 - Listener question: Firefighter hobbies
03:10 - Patreon updates & new members
04:30 - Unkie's Seasonings community flavor project
08:15 - Burn Box spotlight
10:20 - July Patreon Perks winner announced
12:30 - Honoring Captain Dee Barbara
15:30 - Honoring fallen firefighters
20:20 - Why every firefighter needs a hobby
21:30 - Are some hobbies unacceptable?
23:45 - Family balance vs. personal hobbies
33:00 - Favorite hobbies and why they matter
42:30 - Protecting your paycheck with risky hobbies
43:30 - Do firefighters have enough time for hobbies?
49:00 - Hobbies we wish we had
52:00 - Would You Rather: One expensive hobby or five cheap hobbies?
56:30 - Snail Mail & listener comments
1:04:00 - Final thoughts & Patreon reminder

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🚒 Weekly episodes featuring firefighters from across the country

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, the crew tackles one of the biggest challenges firefighters face—and it has nothing to do with fighting fires.

What starts as a listener question about rank and responsibility quickly turns into a powerful conversation about leadership, sacrifice, family, and the pressure that comes with serving others. From firefighters on the engine to chief officers answering calls long after they leave the station, the discussion explores how every rank carries a different kind of responsibility.

One of the most impactful moments comes when Matt says:

"The hardest thing you'll ever do is look in the mirror and be honest."

Brian builds on that thought by explaining that firefighters are often addicted to service. Even on their days off, many struggle to stop helping others, answer one more phone call, volunteer for one more responsibility, or put the job ahead of themselves and their families. The crew discusses why balance is one of the hardest lessons to learn in the fire service.

In This Episode:

- Why leadership becomes more complicated with every promotion

- The sacrifices families make that often go unnoticed

- The importance of perspective across every rank

- Why firefighters struggle to disconnect from the job

- Looking in the mirror and taking honest accountability

- How service can become an addiction

- Why empathy matters more than assumptions

- Finding balance between faith, family, and the fire service

Also in this episode:

- Welcome to our newest Patreon Engineer members

- July Patreon Perks giveaway announcement

- Little Station 5 collaboration update

- Burn Box and FD Collectors Club highlights

- Unkie's Seasoning updates and upcoming releases

- Listener mail discussing PTSD, firefighter photos, and social media professionalism

- Preview of next week's discussion on firefighter hobbies and life outside the station

This episode is a reminder that while firefighters dedicate their lives to serving others, true leadership starts with being honest with yourself.

If you're a firefighter, officer, volunteer, or anyone striving to lead well, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Support The Cool Fireman Podcast
Join our Patreon community for bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, Turnout Drills, and monthly Patreon Perks giveaways.

#Firefighter #FireService #Leadership #FirefighterPodcast #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FirefighterLife #FirstResponder #Firehouse #LeadershipDevelopment #MentalHealth #SelfReflection #FireCaptain #Brotherhood #VolunteerFirefighter #CareerFirefighter #FireDepartment #StationLife #FaithFamilyFire #PersonalGrowth #FirehouseCulture

This week on The Cool Fireman Podcast, Matt, Brian, and Adam tackle one of the most controversial topics in the fire service:

🚒 When does sharing become oversharing?

The conversation dives into firefighter social media use, taking photos at incidents, off-duty conduct, and whether firefighters should be held accountable for what they post online. What starts as a discussion about a recent fire service controversy turns into a deeper conversation about professionalism, public trust, and representing the badge both on and off duty.

• Should firefighters take photos at fire scenes?
• Where is the line between pride and poor judgment?
• Should firefighters be disciplined for off-duty social media posts?
• Does social media help or hurt the fire service?
• Why public perception matters more than ever
• The responsibility that comes with wearing the badge
• Firehouse traditions vs. modern-day scrutiny
• The power of professionalism on and off duty

• Patreon Perks winner shoutouts
• Benjamin Fry's Turn Out Drill answers
• The great pineapple-on-pizza debate 🍍🍕
• Favorite smells, mountain air, diesel fuel, and pipe tobacco
• New Patreon members and upcoming giveaways
• Little Station 5 collaboration announcement
• Updates from Unkie's Seasoning and Burn Box sponsors

The crew answers listener questions about:

• Fire service rank and family sacrifice
• Firefighter hobbies and off-duty activities
• Volunteer firefighter jokes (again...)
• Future episode ideas from the audience

Whether you're a career firefighter, volunteer, officer, or probationary firefighter, this episode is guaranteed to make you think about how we represent ourselves, our departments, and the fire service as a whole.

🔥 Join the conversation and let us know:

Should firefighters be disciplined for off-duty social media posts?

Support the Podcast:
Patreon: Exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Turn Out Drills, monthly giveaways, and more.

Sponsors:

• Unkie's Seasoning
• Burn Box
• Little Station 5

#Firefighter #FireService #Firehouse #SocialMedia #TheCoolFiremanPodcast #FirefighterLife #Leadership #FirstResponder #FireDepartment #FirefighterPodcast #Professionalism #VolunteerFirefighter #CareerFirefighter #FirehouseCulture #Brotherhood #FireRescue #EmergencyServices #FirefighterTraining #Podcast #FirehouseKitchenTable

In This Episode:Patreon & Community UpdatesSnail Mail