In this episode of the Fire Life Podcast CT, Matt Cohen sits down with Glenn Watts to talk about a fire service career that has taken him from volunteering in Vernon to 20 years with the Norwich Fire Department, teaching at the Connecticut Fire Academy, and now serving with UConn Fire.

Glenn shares how he first found his way into the fire service, what convinced him to turn it into a career, and the lessons he learned along the way. He talks about graduating from the Connecticut Fire Academy, working his way into the recruit training program, and what it was like teaching new firefighters who were hungry to learn.

The conversation also dives deep into fire service history. Glenn explains his passion for preserving Norwich's firefighting heritage, his work as the department historian, collecting and restoring photographs and artifacts, and researching the department's history dating back centuries. He also discusses the book he helped create documenting the history of Norwich firefighting and how its proceeds supported a fallen firefighter fund.

Glenn also talks about his transition from Norwich to UConn Fire, finding himself back on the campus where he attended college, and the full-circle experience of working alongside people he first met years ago through the fire service.

But his story isn't just about the job. Glenn opens up about losing friends and mentors to cancer and how those experiences inspired him to create a special version of his firefighter tool to raise money for breast cancer research.

And to close out the episode, Glenn gives Matt a demonstration of the tool he designed, explaining the idea behind it and how it can be used by firefighters.

This episode is a great conversation about career progression, firefighter training, preserving fire service history, innovation, loss, giving back, and the people who make a career in the fire service meaningful.

Watch the full episode and hear Glenn's story from his first night at a firehouse to his second career with UConn Fire.

In this episode of the Fire Life Podcast CT, Matt Cohen and Chris Palmer sit down with retired New Britain Deputy Chief Paul Walsh, who spent 37 years in the fire service.

For Paul, the fire service isn't just a career — it's a family tradition spanning generations. He shares stories of growing up around firehouses, following his father and grandfather into the fire service, and eventually watching his own children carry that tradition forward.

Paul takes us through his career in New Britain, including some of the city's most challenging fire activity, the arson fires of the 1990s, working three-decker fires, and the lessons learned on the fireground. He also discusses New Britain EMS, the development of the New Britain Fire Academy, and the importance of learning from both good and bad officers throughout a career.

The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Paul talks about his experience responding to the World Trade Center following 9/11, including the story behind a powerful photograph of Paul and his brother walking down a ramp at Ground Zero. He also discusses preserving 9/11 history and his work creating large memorial murals honoring firefighters and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

And there's plenty of classic firehouse storytelling along the way — from childhood adventures with fire equipment to family connections that have kept the Walsh name deeply connected to the Connecticut fire service.

This is a conversation about family, tradition, leadership, the fireground, sacrifice, and what it means to spend a lifetime in the fire service.

Stay tuned for Part 2 with Paul Walsh, where the conversation continues with more of his story, his artwork, and the Walsh family's incredible connection to the fire service.

Deputy Chief Todd Carell of Bristol Fire joins Fire Life Podcast CT to share stories from his career, including Coast Guard firefighting, his experience at Ground Zero after 9/11, memorable fires in Bristol, and his work teaching at the Connecticut Fire Academy.

Todd also discusses firefighter mental health, peer support programs, and why taking care of firefighters after traumatic incidents is critical to a long and successful career.

A powerful conversation about service, resilience, leadership, and the brotherhood of the fire service.