When The Smoke Clears
What happens to a firefighter after they've spent decades running into burning buildings and rescuing people from sickness, injury and death? When they walk away from the job, how have they changed? What lessons have they learned? What type of person have they become?
Podcasting since 2024 • 30 episodes
When The Smoke Clears
Latest Episodes
30 - Fire Chief Corey Smedley
Corey Smedley was first introduced to the fire service by his sister. She was hired as a career firefighter in Prince Georges County and Corey decided to follow in her footsteps. Corey was eventually hired in PG County as well, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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1:47:31
29 - Assistant Chief Vanessa DeVries
Vanessa DeVries first expressed interest in the fire department at four years old. Yes, many kids go through their "I want to be a firefighter" phase, but Vanessa never grew out of hers. She joined a volunteer fire department in Pri...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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1:41:36
28 - Captain Kevin DeVries
Kevin DeVries is a second generation firefighter who was influenced early on by his father and uncle, who were both career firefighters for a time. Kevin was another one who was hired during the corporation days and saw the department evo...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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1:29:35
27 - Battalion Chief Michael Hamilton
Battalion Chief Mike Hamilton holds the record of having served the longest in the fire service out of all of the people we have interviewed so far...45 years! During that time, Mike did A LOT. From working at the 911 call center, b...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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1:55:16
26 - Battalion Chief Derrick Anthony
Derrick Anthony joins us to discuss his 30+ year fire service career. Throughout his time in MCFRS, Derrick was involved in many things, including teaching at the training academy, helping with the Critical Incident Stress Management Team...
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Episode 26
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1:51:13