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What does it really mean to be an aggressive firefighter? And where is the line between aggression and recklessness? In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, Mike Norris sits down with Chris Fenner of Send Me Culture Co. and Backstep Fire Training for a candid conversation about the fire service, professional standards, leadership, and the responsibility we carry to the people we serve. From truck company operations and search tactics to ego, tradition, and firehouse culture, Mike and Chris explore why preparation matters more than slogans, why years on the job don't automatically equal experience, and why great leaders develop the people around them rather than simply exercising authority. They also discuss how the next generation of firefighters can preserve the values of the profession while challenging outdated thinking. The central message: Aggression without preparation is recklessness. Excellence requires intention, education, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether you're a probationary firefighter, seasoned company officer, or chief, this conversation challenges you to examine the standards you maintain and the example you set. Stay humble. Stay aggressive. Never stop learning.

The fastest way to become a stronger firefighter isn’t chasing ego or advanced tactics—it’s mastering the basics, knowing your tools, and training with purpose. Griffin Coiner, founder of StacheSalt and a Utah firefighter and trainer, shares his path from off-road fabrication to the fire service, the life reset that changed his direction, and the lesson that stuck: “We hire people, not certs.” We get into no-ego training, leading from any seat, building confidence on air, and preparing for the realities of understaffed crews and chaotic calls. Griffin explains why the fire academy is only the beginning—and how showing up ready to learn helps build better firefighters and stronger teams.A practical conversation for new firefighters, company officers, and anyone committed to getting better at the craft. We also discuss what it means to bring hope to the public that we serve and the people that depend on us in their worst moments.

The best firefighters are not the ones who memorize the playbook—they’re the ones who can stay calm when the playbook falls apart. Nick Esposito of Truck Tactics joins Mike Norris to explore the mental side of fireground performance, from command decisions and truck positioning to preparing crews to adapt when conditions change.Nick reflects on the transition from company officer to chief officer, and how mentorship, honest conversations, and clear communication help firefighters make better decisions under pressure. He also explains how truck drivers can contribute to decentralized command, and why empowering experienced team members can help crews respond more effectively. At 52:06, Nick discusses commander’s intent: why firefighters should ask their chief or company officer what’s expected of them—and how understanding that intent helps them act confidently when the situation changes.You’ll also hear about training firefighters to anticipate problems, the different perspectives of engine and truck companies, and the influence of veteran truck driver Mike Candela on the development of Truck Tactics.A valuable conversation for firefighters, company officers, chief officers, and training leaders who want to build more adaptable crews and stronger fireground communication.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: The fires are the easy part. The real job starts when the calls, the grief, and the pressure follow you home. Grand Prairie Fire Captain Justin Morris opens up about the leadership lessons, mental health realities, and family losses that changed how he leads.Mike Norris and Justin discuss why rushing through the ranks can leave you underprepared, why officer development matters, and why strong leaders build relationships before they lead. Justin shares the principles that guide him—purpose, perception, and persistence—and how humility helps leaders keep learning.They also talk about how grief and traumatic calls can affect first responders, how trust makes it easier to ask for help, and how showing genuine care for your crew can make a lasting difference. A candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and being there for the people around you.

Being intentional is easy to talk about. What does it actually look like in the firehouse, on the fireground, and in the way we lead? Captain Bobby Reichardt and Battalion Chief Manny Maldonado from the Southwest Fire Conference join me, Mike Norris, on The 5% Podcast Lab for a candid conversation about leadership, humility, and the fire service. We dig into what it means to lead with purpose, keep your ego in check, and stay willing to learn—regardless of your rank or years on the job. At the center of the conversation is a simple question: Are your actions serving the people who depend on you? A conversation for firefighters at every level who care about the job and the people doing it. Be intentional.

Interim Deputy Chief Patrick Wirkus joins The 5% Podcast Lab to talk fireground command, leadership, training, and decision-making under pressure. We also get into the Executive Fire Officer Program, self-education, professional growth, and the responsibility to keep becoming the best version of yourself—regardless of rank, title, or where you are in your career.

In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, I sit down with Deputy Chief Jim York for a deep conversation on below-grade fires, tactical decision-making, and the lessons the fire service has learned through experience, tragedy, and research. We talk basement fire hazards, fire behavior, leadership under pressure, and the importance of understanding what’s happening beneath you before committing crews. Jim brings the perspective of a seasoned fire officer, fire marshal, instructor, and lifelong student of the job. This episode is about more than tactics. It’s about recognizing risk, making better decisions under stress, and continuing to learn from the incidents that have shaped the fire service. Leadership. Fire behavior. Decision-making. Experience. This is The 5% Podcast Lab.

Passion will get you criticized, but it can also make you the person others quietly turn to for real guidance. Chief Frank Viscuso breaks down why leadership, writing, and firefighting all come down to the same thing: intentional action, emotional control, and having the courage to stand for something.From the power of setting expectations up front to the difference between healthy friction and toxic conflict, Frank shares the hard-earned lessons behind Step Up and Lead, Flashpoint, and his new leadership novel One Degree of Difference. He and Mike dig into how to handle negative people, why “be aggressive” can become reckless without strategy, and why the best leaders focus on what’s working before they correct what isn’t.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION The fire service rewards the people who stay humble, keep learning, and know when to stop pretending they have all the answers. Ian Horowitz has lived that lesson from volunteer firehouse rookie to Baltimore City veteran to founder of Brotherhood Buffs and - Ian breaks down why the best firemen are usually the ones still willing to be coached. Ian and Mike Norris get into the real culture behind the job: the senior-man mentorship that shapes rookies, the hard lessons of Baltimore City’s tight-knit truck culture, and why “doing it your way” only works if your way has been proven under real pressure. They also tackle one of the biggest problems in the modern fire service - the noise. Too many tactics, too much online bashing, and not enough honest training on the basics that actually save lives. Why Baltimore’s fireground culture forced Ian to relearn everything he thought he knew How senior firefighters pass down tradition, discipline, and tactical standards Why social media creates confusion, but can also validate good fireground ideas The story behind the 400-foot line and why simplicity often wins Why firefighters with real family and life priorities think differently about the job How Brotherhood Buffs started as a joke, turned into a viral platform, and became a way to give back The mission behind and how it funds support for first responders, volunteer firehouses, and injured brothers and sisters Ian also opens up about the moment a firefighter realizes he is no longer the rookie, the difference between healthy criticism and toxic trash talk, and why being “all in” matters more than being loud. If you’ve ever wondered how the fire service, business, and personal life all connect, this conversation makes the case that the same mindset that puts out fires can also build something that lasts.Essential listening for firefighters, aspiring recruits, company officers, and anyone who loves the job enough to want to get better at it. This one is equal parts fireground wisdom, hard-earned perspective, and a reminder that the best lessons usually come from the people who have already been there and done that.

NEW EPISODE. Steve Orsini and I get into what it really means to mentor the next firefighter—and what the mentors in our own careers gave us. We talk about the wins, the mistakes, the expectations, and the challenge of training a generation that, not that long ago, was us. Then at the 26-minute mark, we shift gears into EV fires and stored energy systems—what firefighters need to understand, what can go wrong, and why this is becoming increasingly important on the fireground. This one has some passion behind it, but there’s also a lot of experience and knowledge being shared. Give it a listen. #fireservice #firefighter #firefightertraining #firefighterleadership #mentorship #EVfires #The5Percent

In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, I sit down with Dr. Gary Klein, one of the world’s leading researchers on decision-making under pressure and the author of Sources of Power. We talk about how firefighters, first responders, and leaders actually make decisions when time is short and the stakes are high. We get into recognition-primed decision-making, building experience in younger members, aggressive versus reckless action, victim psychology, after-action reviews, and how leaders can create better decision-makers without trying to control every decision. We also discuss how social media and unrealistic expectations can distort the way people think emergencies are supposed to unfold—and why real-world experience, reflection, and good training still matter. This is a conversation about judgment, experience, leadership, and making better decisions when there isn’t time for perfect information. Links to Dr Kleins information and Company: https://www.shadowboxtraining.com/ https://warfighters.substack.com /https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HCUWVW?ccs_id=a032b04a-a3df-4a4d-9673-3fa81b405d9a

In this episode of The 5% Podcast, I sit down with Deputy Fire Chief Doug Ferrigno for a conversation that goes far beyond fire tactics. We discuss what it really means to lead from the front—building a culture of accountability, developing company officers, and making sound decisions under pressure. We also dive into the psychology of the fireground, how experience shapes tactical judgment from both the front seat and the chief's car, and why aggressive action must always be balanced with disciplined thinking. We also tackle dealing with critics, developing your own leadership philosophy, earning trust instead of demanding it, and why the best leaders never stop learning. Whether you're a firefighter, company officer, chief officer, or someone interested in leadership under pressure, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply on your very next shift. Topics include: Fireground psychology and decision-makingLeadership vs. rankBuilding a healthy firehouse cultureTactical thinking from the engine, truck, and command vehicleDeveloping your own leadership styleHandling criticism and adversityMentoring the next generation of firefightersIf you enjoyed this episode, follow The 5% Podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone committed to becoming better—because the difference between average and exceptional is often just 5%.

In this episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, I sit down with Mike Elhihi to talk leadership, mentorship, promotions, and preparing for the opportunities you say you want. We discuss interview preparation, developing future leaders, difficult conversations, and the mindset required to succeed when the pressure is on. We also explore the neuroscience behind decision-making, communication, and performance under stress. If you're looking to promote, lead better, or invest in the people around you, this conversation is for you.

Episode 1: Why Victims Do What They Do – The Psychology of Search Most firefighters spend countless hours studying fire behavior, building construction, and search techniques. But how often do we study the behavior of the people we're searching for? In this inaugural episode of The 5% Podcast Lab, Mike Norris explores the psychology behind civilian behavior during emergencies and how understanding human behavior can make us more effective rescuers. Drawing from research, firefighter rescue data, and real-world experience, this episode examines why victims often delay evacuation, seek familiar places, hide from danger, or fail to recognize the severity of a rapidly evolving situation. You'll learn how stress, fear, confusion, and normalcy bias influence decision-making—and how firefighters can use that knowledge to improve search tactics and rescue outcomes. Topics include: • Why panic is less common than confusion and indecision • How normalcy bias causes people to underestimate danger • Where victims are most commonly found during residential fires • Why children often hide instead of fleeing • The role of familiarity, routine, and environmental cues during emergencies • Lessons from the Firefighter Rescue Survey and victim behavior research • Practical search considerations for firefighters and officers The goal isn't simply to search harder. It's to search smarter. Because understanding fire behavior is only half the equation. Understanding human behavior may be what leads you to the victim. Welcome to The 5% Podcast Lab—where we explore leadership, mindset, human performance, and decision-making under pressure....its episode 1 season 2 and tighten it up