Podcast
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
Welcome to the AFFI Radio Network
The AFFI Communications Department continues to develop new ways to communicate with members and amplify our union’s voice across multiple platforms to ensure we are communicating the way our members want to receive their information.
This new network is designed to provide information to our members while they are on the go. Whether you are in the car on the way to the firehouse or on the exercise bike at the gym, the AFFI Radio network has all of the latest information and educational material you need to keep advancing your career in the fire service and our great union.
We will be adding channels as we continue to build our network.
Newest Episodes:
Season 5 (2025)
Episode 38: February 6th, 2025: 1hr 3min. Chuck, Jerry, and Luke sit down to discuss various AFFI and IAFF topics for the beginning of 2025!
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 37: December 26, 2024: 46min. Chuck and Luke sit down with AFFI Legislative Reps. Brant Maine, Jeff Maher, and Steve Shetsky to discuss the 2025 legislative outlook.
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 36: November 3rd, 2024: 58min. Chuck, Luke, Jerry, and Kurt sit down to discuss various topics going on in the AFFI along with important information related to Tier 2 Pension improvements and the upcoming Tier 2 Rally in Springfield Nov. 13th!
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 35: July 25th, 2024: 1hr 20min. In this special edition, Naperville Firefighters Local 4302 recorded from the 44th Biennial AFFI Convention in Naperville for their local Shop Talk podcast!
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 34: May 15th, 2024: 55min. Chuck, Luke and Jerry sit down with the AFFI Legislative Reps to discuss the upcoming Legislative Conference.
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 33: April 25th, 2024: 49min. In this joint episode with Naperville Firefighters L4302, Chuck and Luke discuss Tier 2 Pensions with Billy Croft, Jeremiah Adeszko, and Daryl MacDonald.
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 32: January 19th, 2024: 1hr 10min. Chuck, Luke, and Jerry sat down with Dave Bernicky and Chris Coats to discuss the role of the Union Steward.
Season 4 (2024)
Episode 31: January 5th, 2024: 54min. Chuck, Luke, and Jerry sit down with Kurt Snow and Chris Coats to discuss the 2024 AFFI Convention!
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 30: December 11th, 2023: 55min. Chuck, Luke, Kurt, and Jerry sit down to discuss various AFFI topics from 2023 and the outlook for 2024!
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 29: July 12, 2023: 55min. Chuck, Luke, Kurt, and Jerry sit down to discuss various AFFI topics.
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 28: June 1st, 2023: 54min. Chuck and Luke sit down with District 5 VP Art Thompson and Data Analyst Mark Kolar to discuss consolidation.
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 27: May 4, 2023: 52min. Chuck and Luke sit down with AFFI Honor Guard Commander Jay Coburn and Deputy State Commander John Merino to discuss leading the largest non-military Honor Guard in the United States.
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 26: March 14, 2023: 1hr 10min. Chuck, Luke, and Jerry discuss the service side of the AFFI with District 2 VP Chris Coats and Executive Directory of Information and Technology Matt Campbell.
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 25: February 22, 2023: 45min. Jerry, Luke, and Chuck sit down with Christy Lynch of Bolingbrook Fire and Reka Bodoni of Alsip to talk about their organization; Fire Service Women of Illinois.
Season 3 (2023)
Episode 24: January 21st, 2023: 58min. Luke and Chuck discuss AFFI legislative initiatives with Leg. Reps. Jeff Maher and Steve Shetsky.
Season 1 (2021)
Episode 1: Dec. 17th, 2020: 1hr 7min. President Chuck Sullivan stops by to discuss the state of the AFFI with VP at Large Luke Howieson and Labor Attorney/Berwyn Local 506 Member Jerry Marzullo.
Episode 2: Jan. 25th, 2021: 1hr 4min. President of Wisconsin Professional Firefighters Mahlon Mitchell speaks with Luke Howieson and Jerry Marzullo about his campaign for General President for the IAFF
Episode 3: Feb. 5th, 2021: 52min. Professor Bob Bruno with the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations discusses how essential workers are important to a vibrant economy. This is a great opportunity to hear from a leading expert in Labor History in the State of Illinois.
Episode 4: Feb. 26th, 2021: 1hr 30min. Luke, Jerry and Chuck talk with Jeff Maher and Steve Shetsky of the AFFI Legislative team about current issues.
Episode 5: March 11th, 2021: 1hr 14min. Luke and Jerry talk with AFFI Labor Attorney Margaret Angelucci.
Episode 6: March 26th, 2021: 1hr 19min. Luke and Jerry talk with Allison Barrett from Lauterbach and Amen about pensions.
Episode 7: April 8th, 2021: 58min. Cicero Firefighters 717 Members and Federal Savings Bank Representatives Josh Hill and Joey Mathews were in the studio to promote the Frontline Team. They talked at length about Cicero’s Silver Spanner Campaign and both of their careers in the fire service; including Joey’s experience with the 100 Club of Illinois after his father’s line of duty death.
Episode 8: April 23rd, 2021: 1hr 4min. Luke and Jerry chat with Attorney Stephen DiNolfo of Ottosen, DiNolfo, Hasenbalg and Castaldo about Firefighter discipline from a management attorney’s perspective.
Episode 9: June 10th, 2021: 1hr 1min. Luke and Jerry discuss secondary employment issues with the AFFI’s committee: Tim Kerley (Crystal Lake 3926), Joe Galli (Elgin 439), Adam Heid (Kankakee 653), and Matt Olson (AFFI District 4 VP).
Episode 10: June 25th, 2021: 3hr 8min. Go behind the scenes at the 2021 AFFI Legislative Conference in Springfield as Chicago’s Bravest Stories hosts Steve and Corey interview several guests.
Episode 11: July 8th, 2021: 1 hr 3min. Luke Howieson and Matt Olson chat about health & wellness for firefighters with registered dietitian Maureen Stoecklein and Fire SQ Fitness Owner/ Lisle-Woodridge 2986 member Annette Zapp.
Episode 12: July 24th, 2021: 1 hr 3min. Director of the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support team and Evanston Local 742 member Tom Howard discusses peer support and the work his team does. Hosted by Luke Howieson and Matt Olson.
Episode 13: August 12th, 2021: 1 hr 1min. Luke and Jerry sit down with AFFI President Emeritus and current Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Pat Devaney to discuss his career with the AFFI and his new position.
Episode 14: August 25th, 2021: 51min. Luke and Jerry discuss Worker’s Compensation basics for AFFI members with Attorney Pat Serowka.
Episode 15: October 11th, 2021: 50min. Matt Olson and Chuck Sullivan discuss vaccinations for workers with Doctors Ryan Klavohn and Johnathan Pinsky and AFFI Director of Health Safety and Education Drew Hanson.
Episode 16: November 1st, 2021: 1hr 31min. Luke and Jerry sit down with the legendary AFFI President Emeritus Dave Foreman who reflects on his time with the AFFI and the organizations history.
Episode 17: December 1st, 2021: 1hr 17min. Luke, Jerry, and Chuck give a general update on several AFFI topics.
Season 2 (2022)
Episode 18: February 7th, 2022: 1hr 27min. Luke, Jerry, and Chuck discuss AFFI legislative topics with Legislative Reps. Jeff Maher and Steve Shetsky.
Episode 19: March 31st, 2022: 1hr 35min. Luke, Chuck, and Jerry sit down with AFFI Director of Governmental Affairs Tim Hunter and Local 150 Operating Engineers Member Marc Poulos to discuss the Workers’ Rights Amendment ahead of the Nov. 2022 election.
Episode 20: May 26th, 2022: 1hr 2min. Luke, Jerry, and Chuck sit down with Rockford Local 413 member and AFFI Human Relations Committee Chairman Bo Chaney to discuss recruitment and hiring issues in the state.
Episode 21: August 6th, 2022: 49min. Luke, Jerry, and Chuck sit down with Heather Miller and Sabrina Allen of MDA and Pat Quane of Chicago Local 2 to talk about fundraising efforts.
Episode 22: September 16th, 2022: 1hr 1min. Luke, Jerry, and Chuck re-cap the events of the AFFI biennial Convention in Peoria. Newly elected Secretary-Treasurer Kurt Snow and Southern District Legislative Rep. Brant Maine introduce themselves and talk about the road to their new positions.
Episode 23: December 13th, 2022: 1hr 13min. Luke and Chuck recap all things AFFI from 2022 and give us an idea of what to look for in 2023.
