Episode 1: July 4th, Tragedy in Idaho, and Remembering Anne Burrell
Welcome to the first episode of the Firefighter WTF Podcast—released on July 4th to mark the start of something new.
In this episode, we dig into:
- Why Independence Day is the busiest day for U.S. fire departments, with skyrocketing calls for fireworks accidents, grill fires, and wildfire response
- A tragic update on the Idaho sniper ambush that took the lives of Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison
- How some organizations are already using artificial intelligence (AI) to lure people onto their websites—tied to a recent Indianapolis firefighter electrocution case
- A tribute to Anne Burrell, celebrity chef and longtime friend of the fire service through the Leary Firefighters Foundation
We close with a few personal thanks to the creators who inspired this project.
Special Thanks:
Diane Jennings – youtube.com/@DianeJennings
Juan Browne – youtube.com/@blancolirio
Shawn Ryan – youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow
Julian Dorey – youtube.com/@JulianDorey
Show Notes Links:
- NFPA Fireworks Reports: nfpa.org
- U.S. Fire Administration Holiday Safety: usfa.fema.gov
- Leary Firefighters Foundation: learyfirefighters.org
Creators and Guests
Host
Host Tom
Tom is the creator and host of Firefighter WTF. A longtime firefighter, medic, officer, and instructor, Tom brings real-world fireground experience and kitchen table honesty to the mic. He’s seen a lot—but the job keeps finding new ways to surprise him. From high-stakes calls to leadership breakdowns, he’s here to talk about what really happens when the gong sounds.