GRABS Podcast

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 170 Sac Metro Fire, CA (August 15, 2024) Capt Josh Leonard, Kyle DiBiase, Danny Kim (Engineer Matt Rust) Call came in right at shift change-house fire Duplex-Living room well involved-no extension to Bravo unit Neighbors saying baby trapped in back-all in for search (truck) Engine stretched between fire and victim location. Smoke halfway down, good visibility low until the room, in the room no viz.2 callout heard mumbling noise-Hard to pinpoint location. Found dog before victim, dog was lying on victim covering victim. Officer met at window and gave reference where to find victim and where to get to window. Victim 130 lbs-very tough lift (trapped legs) required second rescuer. Couldn’t go the other way due to fire. Conditions in room got worse. Victim out in less than 2 minutes.  [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 169 Rocky Mount Fire, NC (May, 2024) Cody Johnson, EngineerEvening Dispatch to House Fire-Close to station Enroute saw column and told possibly one person inside. Brick range style house, 1600 Sq with addition A-B garage fire, into attic spaceExtra guy added to search, Search ahead of attack team.Split search.Bathroom-Found arm first (surprised) and the victim pulled away and then stood up.  Smoke Drunk. Half drag half walk out removal.15’ from bathroom to front door.  Captain led them out. Time arrival to removal-under 2 min.They went back to check the rest of the house.  [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 168 Fall River Fire Department, Mass (July 13, 2025) Paul Machado, Lieutenant (Duty Heavy Rescue) Gabriel House Assisted Living Fire 9:50pm Multiple People screaming Multiple calls, heavy fire3 story center hall wood frame, 70 people inside upon arrival.150’ long, 3 floors 30 windows Hands and Faces at windows on B side-Ladder initiated searches Everybody get a ladder. Different size ladders lead to different anglesConscious victims had death grip on ladders Multiple rescues-some needed window lift and help out, others you could reach from the ladder.High Anchor for one that was 450 lbs 11-12 off ground ladders from B-side1 from A-side 3 Cops got stuck in a room taking smoke while trying to evacuate civilians Take Aways PT-You have to be physically fit Ladder skills have to be practiced Shallow and High Angles (Sometimes you can’t choose) Confidence with crews (through training)https://abcnews.go.com/US/assisted-living-facility-9-died-fire-recertification-year/story?id=123753767 [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Mike LaFleur, Lieutenant Gabriel House Assisted Living Fire 9:50pm Multiple People screaming 3 story center hall wood frame, 70 people inside upon arrival.People at every window waiting to be rescued.This episode is from a recalled officer. 10 fatalities at this fire.3rd Floor 3 people, forcing doors and checking SRO.First room victim found face down-dirty drag-hand them off to another FF. Girth hitching as grip strength went away. Victim behind door, move victim away from door and then back out.  Passing victims off allow searchers to continue with search..they know where they’ve been and where they need still go. 2 unconscious, 1 conscious victim assisted. Take aways Preplan the high hazard buildings. Passing the victim off to another crew. Have a 30-60-90 second planhttps://abcnews.go.com/US/assisted-living-facility-9-died-fire-recertification-year/story?id=123753767 [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Amber Steiding: Assistant Chief Potomac Fire Company #29/1/25 Labor DayType of building: single family dwellingApprox time from arrival to removal: roughly 10 minutes Weight of the victim (approximately): victim 1-100 to 120, victim 2- 190 to 200Method of removal: More of a tackle and push, victim 2 was an assist under their power.First I’ll start with staying ready and staying prepared.  Between being fit, training, drilling, and studying the Lord prepared me for this. I really got a first hand feel for what victims are going through. Do not trust dispatch or initial reports of all occupants out. How do you know? Search, search, search…even if no one else will. [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 165 Ashville, NC (2/16/2025)Grant speaks with Senior Firefighter James Burnette  02/16/2025 at 11:07pmSingle story, Single family residential 5:23 seconds to removalVictim 130lbsHorder Conditions 50’ exit Grab limbs and exited on AlphaTakeaway-Masking up with gloves on [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 164 Orange Township Fire Department, Indiana (April 14, 2025) Chief Gene Landers Chief pulls up on house fire, met by mom that said baby was inside. Mom ran inside and chief followed her, quick grab by mom (18 month kid) <1 minCrews arrived and this became a bread and butter fire.Take-aways Set up of command vehicle, be prepared for firefight by yourself. No mask bag with SCBA, speed up  [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 163 Carson City, NV (5/16/2018)Jon Pedrini., Battalion ChiefCarson City Fire Department05/16/20182-story wood framed multi family apartment5minutes8yr old male120lbs Second floor windowAlways be ready, fast turnout and mask up times make a differenceIf your job is to clear a window for removal make sure you clear it out completelyRoom isolation. Shutting the door and isolating the room from fire makes conditions immediately better.Train often on the drill grounds and in the gym. Make sure the training is realistic and [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 162 South Metro Fire Rescue, Colorado (March 2025)First truck assigned all in VES Delta side.Taylor Slaught FirefighterVince Pratt EngineerHouse converted to Assisted LivingInitial Call as AFA, then upgraded to working fire with 6 trapped.High windowsFirst window-heard vict call out from bed. 3 in first, pass victim out window head first.Extending search from first room, bathroom and door swing (good orientation)Find second victim in hall face down, dragged victim to same room where victim 1 came out.Third victim heavyFourth victim-a lot of hands trying to make grabs.Fifth victim found and removed by engine company.All victims out and fire out in 12 minutes.1)Fire attack supports search2)when to VES vs going in through normal egress points.3)when to extend your search beyond the initial VES room.4)victim handling/when to take them out a window or go through a normal egress point.5)making the decision when you locate a victim whether to hand them off to an exterior crew and continue searching or take the victim out and you stay with them until they are [email protected]

Text us to record an episode! Grabs 161 Orem Fire Department, UT, (7/19/2025)Name and Rank: Austin McBride Firefighter Critical Care Paramedic Department Name: City of Orem Fire Department Date of Grab: 7/19/2025Type of building: 2 story residential with add-on/DIY construction. Ill add a picture so you can reference it. Approx time from arrival to removal: 7 minutesWeight of the victim (approximately): 140Method of removal: VES, removed out of second story window via ladders. 3-4 takeaways for show notes: 1) Due to communication lapses, I ended up performing the search alone, so I had to modify our standard search tactics: 2 people,1 isolates, one searches. Due to no visibility and quick location of the victim right by the window, isolating the door was delayed to effect the rescue. We can talk about the fire conditions and why I made that decision. 2) The window we brought the victim out of had a car parked right in front of it, so ladders were augmented to the side of the car, making the rescue more difficult (for those who encounter this in the future, stick that ladder right through the windshield) 3) Instead of bending the victim's legs at the window and hoisting the victim out the window, I found clean air right at the window and sat him up just below the window while I waited for ladders to be thrown and help to arrive to me. 4) I was engineer (driver) that day, so I was in a pumping mindset. Once an audible was called and our assignment was changed to rescue mode, I found myself lacking some critical equipment once performing the rescue: Radio, tool and water can. Take away: Always prepare for a potential rescue or for an audible to be called, even if you are a driver (Engineer), or even a fourth due arrival you never know.  [email protected]