PODCAST · business
Third Alarm Cowboys Podcast
by Heath Meredith
Teaching what it takes to be a successful firefighter on and off the job. Having real life conversations about topics that most people refuse to talk about. Thirdalarmcowboys.com Paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys 1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#122 Trust and Training
How do Trust and Training relate in the Fire Service?Whats my biggest flaw?thirdalarmcowboys.comProtein and energy drinks1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboysCigarspaynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#121 Us vs Them
thirdalarmcowboys.comThe podcast episode covers a range of topics related to the fire service, including supporting a mentor's political campaign, an upcoming fire summit, hands-on training, the 'us versus them' mentality, financial challenges, and salary disparities in leadership positions within the fire service. The conversation delves into the prevalent 'us versus them' mentality in the fire service, highlighting the impact of this divide on the relationship between firefighters and fire chiefs. It also emphasizes the importance of a mission-focused mindset for both firefighters and fire chiefs, offering insights into the challenges and solutions for addressing these issues.TakeawaysReal-life situations in the fire serviceImpact of leadership and promotions on firefighters Us versus them mentality in the fire serviceThe importance of a mission-focused mindsetChapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast12:27 Us Versus Them Mentality in the Fire Service19:30 Financial Challenges and Disparities in the Fire Service26:55 Salary Disparities and Leadership Positions33:04 The Role of Fire Chiefs46:36 Mission-Focused MindsetProtein and Energy Drinks:1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboysCigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboyspromo code: TAC
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#120 Texas Roots feat. Captain Kelcey Trotty
Texas Firefighter of the YearSFFMA 4th Vice President CandidateLongview Texas Fire CaptainHeath and Kelcey talk about their Texas roots. Growing up together in Nacogdoches. Kelcey is the first Chief that hired Heath for a paid fire job. Discussion about fire service leadership and the future.Longview Fire Departments radio tower high angle rescue.thirdalarmcowboys.comcigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboysProtein-1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#119 Lateral Transfers
Are lateral transfers good or bad?What do they mean for the future of the service?Why should we even do laterals?How should be pay?I challenge Chiefs to listen to this episode and reflect on their opinions about lateral transfers!linktr.ee/thirdalarmcowboysBook Training [email protected]/thirdalarmcowboysCigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#118 What is Experience?
What is real fire experience?Do years of service count?Are you Brave?Are you the same person in real life you say you are on social media?Order your "Pick a Side" shirt today!thirdalarmcowboys.comProtein and energy drinks-1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboysCigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#117 Calling Balls and Strikes
#117 Calling Balls and Strikeslinktr.ee/thirdalarmcowboysSmoky Mountain Wkd Registration-www.smokymtnweekend.orgStop riding the fence on everything!thirdalarmcowboys.com1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboyscigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#116 Violent Encounters
Jake Hecht from VEST First Responder Training comes on the show to discuss his class. Violent Encounters training is now required by NFPA. ITS ABOUT TIME! We have all had issues with crazy folks on scene or drug addicts. FINALLY someone is addressing the issue! vestfirstresponder.comthirdalarmcowboys.com1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys.comcigars- paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#115 Small Ball Ignorance
Do we even know the basics?Complacency isn't killing us in the future... its ignorance!Fire Chiefs... here is your challenge!Whats the difference between ball and the fire service?thirdalarmcowboys.com1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboyscigars-paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#114 Policies are Killing the Service
How are policies killing todays fire service?Whats more important... your guys family or department policy?Why cant you hire enough people to fill your departments ranks?Why does the whole service see a decline in staffing and retention?Why is the civilian fire death toll increasing?thirdalarmcowboys.com1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#113 Hope Is Not a Tactic
Firefighter critical thinking is dead....We have to teach them how to stay alive!Are you just collecting a check?thirdalarmcowboys.comMarch Mayhem Cigar PreorderPromo Code-MAYHEMWILLCALLhttps://paynemason.com/shop/handmade-cigars/event-pre-order-third-alarm-cowboys-march-mayhem-fire-conference-smoke-out/March Mayhem Shirt-https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVJXV3ZMB07Q/checkout/RBZDCJGCYL2XYTWGEVR3RRUCLIFT Shirt- https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVJXV3ZMB07Q/checkout/HXCG7GRDVVO5CMIGR5IH7JIC
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#112 Composure, Character, the Company Officer
#112 Composure, Character, the Company Officerthirdalarmcowboys.comComposure even in the hard timesFirefighter Character MattersHow to set the expectations as a company officerVirtual TAC Lecture scheduled for Feb 20 2026Book your seat today at thirdalarmcowboys.com1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys (energy drinks)Paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys (cigars)
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#111 The Mirror
Order your LIFT and March Mayhem Exclusive shirts today-thirdalarmcowboys.comIts time to piss everyone off! Firefighters have to do better!
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#110 Still Goin Up
2026 is kicking off with a BANG! What is the brand of a firefighter? Why do we let people that will openly say they could never do our job tell us how to do our job?Order your firehouse fistfights shirts today!thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#109 Fixing Haters and Leeches
How to deal with haters and leeches in the fire service.What are hater and leeches?Since when did we stop trying to make things better?Get in on the virtual TAC Channel lecture.Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#108 The Truth about Hiring
Finally discussing the article about the four firefighters hazing incident.What is the most important thing in a hiring process? What does it feel like trying to get that first fire job? What should I do or say in my interview? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#107 Tolerance
What is tolerance? He’s been that way for 20 years. What’s the current culture on rescuing one of our own in your department? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#106 Case Law
First video podcast! Discussing the $30 million dollar case law to fix the fire service!! Operations matter. Go follow and subscribe on YouTube. Linktr.ee/thirdalarmcowboys
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#105 Gettin Out of Running Calls
This episode we talk about how to cheat the system to get out of running calls all night. How did not have to deal with the crackhead. How to get ahead in our career with promotions. What’s the mindset of these young firefighters coming up? Thirdalarmcowboys.com [email protected]
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#104 Q&A
1. We keep trying with this guy, but he isn’t getting it. Do we get rid of him? 2. How do I give work references to people? 3. How do I describe leadership? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#103 Death
Today’s fire service on life vs death Are we profiting off the death of firefighters? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#102 Be Who You Claim to Be
Thank you to Gilmer County for bringing us out! Charlie Kirk and the fire service Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#101 Divided
How is the fire service split? How do we fix it? Record number of submissions this year?Silver spoon firefighters? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#100 Fire Service v. Constitution
Do you have freedom of speech as a firefighter? What is a public sector employee? What is hate speech? Are you a poopy pants? Thank you for 100 episodes! Thank you to the Fire chiefs that believe in the constitution!Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#99 Fire Chief Civil War
Did you know there’s such a big fight between Chiefs? You are living beyond your means! Says some Chiefs across the country. Let’s talk about money in today’s fire service. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#98 The Engine Operator
This episode is a continuation of #97 Fast Growing Departments. With that I discuss how I believe the EO position is the most attacked position in the fire service. thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#97 Fast Growing Departments
Q&A style episode where I answer the question…How do fast growing departments handle the balance of needed to grow the staffing vs keeping traditions and standard alive. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#96 Feuds and Gotcha’s
Q&A episode Talking shit on a department vs a chief Why is there a feud between career and volunteer firefighters? Where do policies and SOGs fit on the fireground? Facebook comments….Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#95 Fire Service Losers
CRINGE fistfight shirts. Debrief of San Marcos Training. Huge thank you to South Hays Fire Department for hosting training day!! Let’s talk about what a fire service loser is. What mindset gets you in the loser bracket? How are we winning today? Telling people the equipment they have or are “allowed” to have is stupid?Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#94 Who is to Blame?
The question keeps getting asked who is to blame for the devastating Texas floods. Who is to blame?I’ve spent the last week digging in and trying to find out why emergency response is such an issue in Texas. This episode I lay out the foundation of how emergency services are funded and controlled in Texas. Why departments aren’t saying yes to helping their neighbors. Share this episode with everyone you know Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#93 Destiny to Legacy Riding for the Brand feat. Idaho Fire Chief Kris Blume
A great discussion with Chief Blume talking about today’s fire service. The mentality of riding for the brand and how it relates to the fire service. We discuss the different timelines of your career. As an Idaho fire chief, we also discussed the horrific events recently happening with the murder of first responders. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#92 Real Professionals
What’s professionalism in the fire service? Prayers for Idaho Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#91 The Chicago Effect
Why did Chicago fire pass this new policy? How do we save our jobs? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#90 Normal Human Sh*t
Is there something wrong with you? 1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys
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#89 Firehouse Fistfights
What’s up with the fistfight tshirt?? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#88 Daddy Ball
How does daddy ball in sports relate to the fire service?Why am I still a firefighter and not promoted? Do you want someone that can get your guys at your department back to the mission?Who do attorneys really work for? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#87 Hit the Wall
What is the only acceptable way to lose firefighters from your department?What is the number one issue in today’s fire service? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#86 Take Action
Want to be remembered? Want to promote? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#85 US Senate
Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#84 Fire Service Pendulum feat. Chief David Rhodes
Relationships are more powerful than a 1500 GPM pump! Fire service is a service. The organization isn’t there for the organization. Would you drain the swimming pool before making entry? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#83 Fire Chief Kingdom
At no point did you give up your freedom of speech to become a firefighter.Who are these Chiefs that given an oath to protect the citizens at all costs but do not believe in the constitution of the United States? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#82 Senior Man feat. Tyler Tucker
This episode we discuss many aspects of the fire service paid and volunteer. Today’s volunteer service and how rank should be handled. What do you owe the fire service and the community. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#81 Risk a lot to save a lot
Risk a lot to save a lot. Risk a little to save a little.Let’s break down that phrase. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#80 Family, Marriage, and Decision Making feat. Eric Wheaton
Chief Eric Wheaton from the great state of Florida. Expert in Vent Enter Search and truck ops joins us on the podcast to discuss his decision making process as a chief. How to balance family and the fire service. Trust and honesty in a marriage. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#79 Business Model
Fire service business model. What’s the business model is for the Fire Chiefs today. Accountability for decisions and performance. How to improve your department. Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#78 Set the Record Straight
Set the record straight over some personal issues.
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#77 Sacrifice
Trump is president! What does that mean for America?Let’s talk about firefighters and sacrifice. Who is really sacrificing? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#76 Entitlement
Entitlement in the fire service? Who is guilty?
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#75 American Fire Service is Burning
Long discussion about the California fires. Today’s status of leadership in the US fire service. A call for all Americans to get involved in your fire department.Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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#74 It’s Real Life
Being a firefighter is real life. It takes a lifetime to get there. Linktr.ee/thirdalarmcowboys
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#73 The Little Things
Let’s take a look in the mirror and move forward in 2025!!! How do we make our departments successful in the new year? How do me become good at our positions?? Thirdalarmcowboys.com
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Teaching what it takes to be a successful firefighter on and off the job. Having real life conversations about topics that most people refuse to talk about. Thirdalarmcowboys.com Paynemason.com/thirdalarmcowboys 1stphorm.com/thirdalarmcowboys
HOSTED BY
Heath Meredith
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