Spring cleaning isn’t just about sparkling garages and organized shelves—it’s also the perfect time to double-check your emergency supplies.

In this episode, Jimmy and Megan roll up their sleeves and dive deep into their own camping and disaster gear to figure out what’s worth keeping, what’s better off retired, and why even a dusty water filter might still deserve a spot on your emergency supply shelf.

We cover it all: sleeping bags, tents, camp stoves, old MREs, even a hand-crank blender that once seemed like a brilliant idea (and now feels like a workout machine). We've got tips on how to sort your gear, what red flags to look for, and why some forgotten items might still be lifesavers when you need them most.

If you’ve ever looked at an old sleeping bag and thought, "Should I keep this?"—this episode is for you.

If you've ever wondered if your garage junk pile could actually come in clutch during a disaster—you’re definitely in the right place.

Spring cleaning just got a whole lot more useful—because sometimes, the gear you almost tossed is exactly what you’ll need most.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

This episode, we’re flipping the script with a rapid-fire game of “Would You Rather?”—Life & Safety style. Jimmy’s in the hot seat as Megan throws out 10 surprisingly tough scenarios with a safety twist. Would he rather perform CPR on a stranger in a crowd *or* on a loved one all alone? Get lost in the forest with just a flashlight *or* brave a city-wide blackout with nothing but a water bottle? Survive 24 hours in the desert with only a first aid kit *or* freeze it out in the Arctic with only a fire starter?

From wildfires vs. earthquakes to Heimlich vs. delivering a baby, this episode is full of unexpected laughs, wild opinions, and surprisingly useful survival tips. Jimmy leans on his firefighter roots to explain how he’d manage each situation, while Megan adds the comments we’re all thinking but don’t say out loud.

There’s a lot to unpack... like how heat and cold affect your chances of survival, why people can be more dangerous than nature, and what item you should definitely grab if you’re running out of a burning house (nope, it’s not your phone).

Come for the hypotheticals, stay for the unexpected, and leave with some practical takeaways that might just help you make the right call when it counts.

And don’t forget to send us your own “Would You Rather?” questions... we’re already planning round two!

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

Ever wonder what happens when you bring someone along for a ride-along on a ambulance or a fire engine for the day? According to first responders, it’s either a total snooze-fest, or a wild and crazy adventure—and there’s rarely anything in between. In this episode, Jimmy and Megan dig into the strange superstition known as the “ride-along curse,” sharing their own stories from both sides of the experience.

From Megan’s unforgettable EMT training shift—starting with a pedestrian hit by a bus, and ending inside a jail—to Jimmy’s long string of chaotic ride-along days involving helicopter transfers, mental health crises, and a particularly animated gunshot patient. These stories aren’t just for shock value. They show how even routine calls can spiral, how adrenaline can affect performance, and why real-life practice is essential for responders at any level.

At Life Safety Associates, we train safety teams to stay calm under pressure—and that means preparing for days like these. Whether it’s your first shift or your fiftieth, the ability to reset, refocus, and work the problem is what separates the confident from the overwhelmed. This episode dives into what that looks like in real time—so you'll be ready to expect the unexpected.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

We all like to think we can bounce back from anything—but sometimes our bodies have other plans for us. In this episode, we’re swapping stories about the injuries that taught us the hard way how important it is to rest, recover, and know your limits. From a high school football game that ended with a torn rotator cuff, to a wrestling match gone wrong, and a rollerblade trick that backfired—this episode is full of moments where we probably should have rode the bench.

Along the way, we’ll break down the basics of what to do when something pops, swells, or locks up—like how to sling a shoulder with a hoodie, what not to do with a jammed finger (seriously, don’t yank it), and why ignoring a sore knee could sideline you for months. Whether you’ve got kids in sports, a body that isn’t as invincible as it used to be, or you just enjoy hearing our painful lessons of what not to do with an injury, this episode is for you.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

In this episode, Jimmy and Megan swap stories about their favorite food finds, from a legendary taco truck on O’Toole to a Mongolian BBQ place tucked beside a questionable pool hall. Since we spend so much time training onsite at client offices across the Bay Area, we’ve been lucky enough to discover some incredible local eats. (Shout out to our amazing clients who always know the best nearby spots)

But no food adventure is ever just about the food.

Jimmy has a wild tale for you from his firefighter days that starts with a fire call and ends with a stranger asking how to perform a C-section... on a cow... while standing inside a bar... with a giant dog. It’s the kind of unexpected lunch break you don’t forget.

You’ll also hear some strong opinions about red velvet cake, the legacy of San Jose’s burnt almond cake rivalry, and whether ice cream should ever be rolled. Plus, we’ve got personal stories behind some of the best mom-and-pop restaurants we’ve tried, including one taco truck that started as a hot dog cart with just two steam trays.

This episode is a love letter to Bay Area food, and if you're not hungry yet... you will be by the end of this podcast!

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

Picture this: there’s an emergency, someone dials 911, and the dispatcher asks for the location. But instead of a clear answer, they get: “Uh… we’re in the Fishbowl?” Or maybe, “We’re by the thing, you know, near the back door?”

Not exactly helpful.

In this episode, we tackle one of the sneakiest yet most preventable dangers in workplace safety—bad location names. Whether it’s confusing conference room names, vague directions, or internal lingo that makes no sense to anyone outside your office, miscommunication can delay emergency response when time is of the essence.

Jimmy shares some personal stories from workplaces that had no rhyme or reason to their room names—like the time he worked security at a giant corporate campus where the stairwells had no names or numbers (guess how well that went during an emergency). We also talk about the importance of clear, standardized language when calling for help and how something as simple as consistent signage can make a huge difference.

So if you’ve ever been lost in your own building or wasted time figuring out whether you’re in “The Redwood Room” or “The Sequoia Suite,” this episode is for you. Stick around for easy ways to fix these problems before they become actual emergencies.

Because in a crisis, “Meet me by the big plant” just isn’t gonna cut it.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

Think driving a forklift is just like driving a car? Not even close. Forklifts are a leading cause of workplace injuries, and many companies don’t even realize they may be out of compliance with OSHA regulations... until an accident happens and they're in trouble. In this episode you’ll learn why proper forklift training isn’t just a formality, but a critical safety measure that protects your workers, reduces liability, and keeps your operation running smoothly.

We break down why certification is required for every model of industrial lift your business uses, the most common mistakes companies make, and the small but serious OSHA violations that can lead to major problems. You’ll also hear real examples of forklift accidents and simple ways to prevent them.

We've even got a story for you about training our very own Life Safety team on how to drive our forklift (spoiler: the ladies took the wheel on this one!).

So whether forklifts are part of your daily routine, or just an obstacle you dodge in a warehouse aisle, this episode is packed with safety tips you won’t want to miss.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.

Some people plan to start a business; others stumble into it through a series of unexpected events. That’s exactly how Jimmy and Jenny found themselves becoming unexpected entrepreneurs. It all started when Jenny took a safety training class while working at a Silicon Valley startup, and unknowingly crossed paths with the company that would later change both Jenny and Jimmy's lives.

In this episode, they open up about the twists and turns that led them from employees to entrepreneurs. From rediscovering an old Life Safety training manual that resurfaced at just the right time, to making big life decisions outside a Denny's restaurant with their kids in tow. It’s a story of risk, resilience, and a whole lot of learning along the way. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to step into business ownership, or if fate has ever nudged you toward an unexpected opportunity, you won’t want to miss this one.

Send us a text

Life Safety Associates specializes in emergency response training for corporate ERT Teams. We help businesses create competent and confident first responders who are ready to handle unexpected emergencies. For more information you find us @lifesafetyassoc or email@lifesafety.com.