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From the guys who made chasing fire trucks and yelling "Go Get 'Em Brothers" a nationwide craze, comes the only true firehouse table talk podcast: Fresh Pot.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of tED & TACTICS, we break down several fire service stories that exploded across news outlets and social media. From a firefighter involved in a crash while responding to a call, to a heated hydrant dispute that sparked public backlash, and a department struggling to staff emergency responses — this episode highlights the growing scrutiny firefighters face and the real-world impact it has on public safety.
We cut through the noise, talk accountability, leadership, staffing, and why telling the fire service’s story matters now more than ever.
🔗 Stories Covered
Firefighter Crash While Responding to a Call
Mercersburg Fire Hydrant Dispute & Social Media Backlash
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Local 21 News:
https://local21news.com/news/local/mercersburg-fire-hydrant-dispute-ignites-community-social-media-backlash
Fire Department Staffing Shortages
Use code TED75 to get 20% off your first order of The Energy Drink
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Code tED75 for 20% off your first order of The Energy Drink™
In Episode 6 of tED & TACTICS, the crew is back at the kitchen table breaking down the most talked-about fire service stories from across the country — the good, the bad, and the absolutely unbelievable.
From first responders threatening other first responders, to deadly residential fires, to real fireground tactics caught on helmet cam, this episode hits the issues firefighters are actually talking about off-mic.
We dig into inside-out vs outside-in fire attack, the rise in garage fires and lithium-ion battery hazards, and why Pennsylvania now leads the nation in home fire fatalities. The conversation also turns toward firehouse culture, volunteer fire department politics, and what it really means to “drop a pot.”
No sugarcoating. No PR spin. Just firefighters talking fire service reality.
🚨 Stories & Topics Covered in This Episode
🔗 Harford County, MD – EMS Worker Arrested After Threatening Deputies
A controversial arrest sparks a firefighter-vs-firefighter debate after an emergency services employee makes violent threats during a traffic stop.
🔗 Stockton, CA – Helmet Cam Shows Inside-Out Fire Attack Done Right
Unedited first-due footage shows a textbook interior push on a garage fire — and why tactics still matter.
🔗 Philadelphia, PA – Fatal House Fire After Structural Collapse
An elderly man is believed dead after re-entering a burning home to save his wife. A hard conversation about civilian behavior and response times.
🔗 FDNY Adopts FirstDue as Incident Documentation Platform
What the move from NFIRS to NERIS really means — and why many firefighters aren’t thrilled about it.
🔗 Matthews, NC – Fire Officer Arrested for Allegedly Setting Fires
A battalion chief accused of starting fires using a department vehicle — and how technology helped expose it.
🔗 Pennsylvania Leads the U.S. in Home Fire Deaths
Why PA tops the list for residential fire fatalities, and how building construction, volunteer response models, and politics may be playing a role.
🔗 Buffing & Dancing The Right Way
🔗 Firehouse Culture Q&A
What does “drop the pot” actually mean?
What firefighters really keep in their personal gear bags?
Why culture still matters as much as tactics.
🎧 About tED & TACTICS
tED & TACTICS is a fire service podcast focused on current events, real-world tactics, and unfiltered discussion from the back of the firehouse.
We pull real news articles, helmet cam videos, and social media posts, break them down, and talk through what matters — without the fluff.
👉 Full articles, videos, and show notes are available at BrotherhoodBuffs.com
👉 Follow along and send in stories you want covered
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
In Episode 5 of tED & TACTICS, we honor Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler, and Firefighter/EMT Kenny Lacayo, and examine how line-of-duty deaths continue to shape fireground decisions.
This episode covers real fire service incidents, including:
• Baltimore LODD rowhouse collapse
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-ci-firefighter-deaths-rowhouse-collapse-20220124-story.html
• Jacksonville firefighters arrested after paintball prank
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/01/02/jacksonville-firefighters-arrested-after-paintball-incident/
• Munhall, PA near-miss basement collapse (helmet cam)
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1439342424423405
• County reports zero homicides in 2025
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/01/01/st-johns-county-records-zero-homicides-in-2025/
• Fire chief vacancy sparks controversy
https://www.firefighternation.com/firerescue/firefighters-union-asks-outsiders-not-to-apply-for-chief-job/
🔥 Support First Responders
Get 20% off The Energy Drink → www.theenergydrink.com
Use code tED75
Lessons learned. Culture discussed. Accountability matters.
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
In Episode 4 of Ted & Tactics, we break down some of the most pressing and uncomfortable issues facing the fire service today — from apparatus failures and leadership breakdowns to firehouse culture, delayed responses, and the real-world consequences paid by civilians and firefighters alike.
This episode dives deep into recent national fire service incidents, viral moments, and trending headlines that every firefighter, officer, and chief needs to hear. We talk candidly about what happens when systems fail, why accountability matters, and how conversations at the kitchen table and back of the bay shape fireground performance more than any policy ever will.
If you’re in the fire service — career or volunteer — this is a must-listen episode that blends real incidents, tactical perspective, and firehouse truth.
🔥 Topics Covered in This Episode
🚨 Fire Apparatus Failures & Delayed Response Times
A fatal residential fire raises serious questions about aging fleets, reserve apparatus, and what happens when trucks aren’t ready to roll.
🔗 Article Link: https://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/fire-apparatus/nj-man-died-in-a-fatal-fire-aging-fire-truck-doubled-firefighters-response-time/
🚒 Firehouse Culture, Traditions & Kitchen Table Leadership
Why informal conversations, mentorship, and firehouse traditions still matter — and what’s lost when they disappear.
🏗️ Fire Department Fundraising: The New Reality
Volunteer fire departments are getting creative — from massive raffles to online fundraising strategies. Is this the future?
🔗 Article Link: [INSERT LINK]
🏙️ Leadership & Promotion Delays in the Fire Service
After years of delays, firefighters finally receive long-overdue promotions and back pay. We discuss the impact leadership failures have on morale and trust.
🔗 Article Link: Click Here
🧯 Public Trust, Viral Fire Department Content & Social Media Missteps
When departments chase engagement instead of professionalism, what’s the cost to credibility and public confidence?
🔗 Video Reference: http://instagram.com/reel/DTYiYoXjmb1/?igsh=Nzc3aHdnaHpuamVv
📟 Dispatch Errors & Incorrect Address Calls
How incorrect information during 911 calls delays response — and why situational awareness still matters for responding companies.
🔗 Article Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTas88gFKbE/?igsh=YmQ5dGVsYzNjZzVp
❄️ Responding in Extreme Weather Conditions
A viral snow response video highlights apparatus control, chains, and decision-making when conditions deteriorate fast.
🔗 Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C2Vo3qNfx/
🎧 About Ted & Tactics
Ted & Tactics is a fire service podcast focused on real incidents, current events, and tactical conversations impacting firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and first responders nationwide. We don’t chase headlines — we break them down.
📍 New episodes weekly
📲 Share the show with your crew, your shift, or your volunteer house
🔗 Sponsors & Resources
🔥 The Energy Drink – A premium functional energy drink that supports first responders
🌐 https://theenergydrink.com
💥 Use code TED75 for a discount on your first order
📡 Alert Page – Real-time fire alerts and notifications
🌐 https://alertpage.net
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
🎙 Ted & Tactics – Episode 3
Fire Service Breaking News, Volunteer Politics, and Fireground Decision-Making
In Episode 3 of Ted & Tactics, the crew dives into real-time fire service breaking news, fireground tactics, and the realities of volunteer and career fire service politics.
This episode features our first-ever guest, Bob “The Energy Dude,” as we discuss burnout, leadership challenges, and how fire departments must evolve to survive. We also monitor live emergency alerts, break down recent fire incidents, and examine real-world decisions made under pressure.
This episode is raw, unfiltered, and built for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and first responders who want honest conversation about the job.
🚒 Topics Covered
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Breaking fire service news as it happens
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Volunteer fire department politics and burnout
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Fireground tactics and forcible entry decisions
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Leadership failures and accountability
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Real-time incident monitoring and response discussion
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Why departments that refuse to adapt lose members
📰 Articles & Stories Discussed
🔗 Local Fire Chief Accused in Theft Scheme Involving Maryland Fire Companies
ABC27 News
https://www.abc27.com/local-news/local-fire-chief-accused-in-theft-scheme-involving-maryland-fire-companies/
🔗 Doorbell Camera Captures Neighbor Rescuing Family from House Fire (Middle River, MD)
Baltimore County Fire Department / Local News
🔗 DCFD Cuts Door & Accidently Saws A Victim
DC Chainsaw Incident
🔗 Retirees Blindsided by Insurance Benefit Changes (Conway, SC)
WBTW News 13
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📌 Follow & Support
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Website: https://brotherhoodbuffs.com
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Instagram: @brotherhoodbuffs
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Podcast: Ted & Tactics
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Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
In Episode 2 of tED & Tactics, Ian and Spray Nine break down current events shaping the fire service, mixing real fireground experience with honest, unfiltered discussion.
This episode covers:
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A recent midair helicopter collision and what aviation crash response really looks like for firefighters - https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/two-pilots-killed-after-helicopters-collided-in-new-jersey-are-identified/4324211/
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Firefighter occupational cancer being officially recognized as a Line of Duty Death and why this matters nationwide - https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/12/klobuchar-and-cramer-s-honoring-our-fallen-heroes-act-heads-to-the-president-s-desk
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The controversy surrounding FDNY leadership appointments and fire service credibility - https://nypost.com/2025/12/27/us-news/elon-musk-slams-mamdanis-fdny-commissioner-pick-over-lack-of-experience-people-will-die
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Fireground command, arriving assignments, and adapting tactics in real time
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Physical fitness vs functional fitness in the fire service
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Volunteer fire department staffing struggles and culture change - https://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer-fire-service/well-be-waiting-for-the-call-reorganized-all-volunteer-ind-fd-ready-for-calls
From aviation incidents to policy decisions, this episode focuses on what firefighters are actually dealing with—on and off the fireground.
🚒 tED & Tactics is a weekly podcast focused on fire service current events, tactics, leadership, and the hard conversations others avoid.
⚡ Presented by The Energy Drink
Proceeds of every can support first responders.
Use code TED75 for 20% off your first order at theenergydrink.com
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Ted & Tactics launches with hosts Ian (from Brotherhood Buffs) and Tim “Spray Nine,” a weekly podcast focused on firefighting news, real tactics, and first‑responder issues.
In this episode they discuss a deadly gas explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home, a legal dispute impacting a volunteer fire company, and the milestone of all‑female engine crews, sharing firsthand experience and lessons learned.
Links To News Articles:
Sponsored by The Energy Drink, proceeds support first responders; listeners are invited to follow, submit incident tips, and support the cause.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Finally we figured out how to make the audio work without having to bring in Dusty!
To much to write, best to just listen.
Friday Mar 11, 2022
Friday Mar 11, 2022
We would love to blame Dusty for the audio but for once he is off the hook.
In this episode we have the full band back together. Ian forgot to pick the proper audio channel but the good news is you can hear everything we talked about. The list goes on:
-Buffs Get Pranked
-Will Ian Join A Volunteer Firehouse
-Follow Up On The Pizza Party
-UCrane Shirts
-Leadership Class
So much to cover can't list it all.
www.brotherhoodbuffs.com
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
In this full length episode we catch up on a lot:
- Where have the buffs been
- Dusty Promotes
- Dan and Ian "Retire"
- Dan Becomes A Free Agent
- James Is A CIA Agent
- Katelyn Becomes A Volunteer Firefighter
- "Shero"
- The Wars Over
- What's your love language
...and so much more!