GRABS Podcast

Grabs 164 Orange Township Fire Department, Indiana (April 14, 2025)Chief Gene LandersChief 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-awaysSet up of command vehicle, be prepared for firefight by yourself.No mask bag with SCBA, speed up

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 functional.

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 transported.

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. 

Grabs 160 Minnesota (October 7, 2024)* Nick speaks with a Captain about a grab made in October from an anonymous Dept in Minnesota. * Captain Dustin Kunnari* Two-story SFD* ~140 lbs* 4-person lift out the window to a porch roof, then brought to the ground via parallel ladders* Arrival until removal was approx 6-8 minutes. * Search method and tactic was window initiated split search.* Victim was located with naked eye* Takeaways * Every structure is occupied  * Plan on being the crew who will make the grab with reports of victims  * Have a plan for search and removal and be on the same page as your crew.  * Be aggressive and be ready to make a difference. 

Grabs 159 Moncton, New Brunswick (March 15, 2025)* Andrew Wainright and Chris Colford* Truck 4 (Quint) arrived second * Came in as AFA 10 story HR around 1730* Nothing showing upon arrival, no additional reports. * Panel-Smoke detector and water flow, residents reported smoke on 8. * Elevators to 6-could smell it. * 8th floor-dirty hall, smoke pushing out of closed apartment door (first apartment on right) * Search ahead of the hose line with can and irons, dropped bundles in hall. Split search.* TIC issues, communication problems with sprinkler noise and alarm going off. * Couch fire, used can, then vented. * Closed bedroom door-good viz compared to rest of the apartment. * Found male victim unconscious at feet of the lazy boy. On back with feet towards Andrew * Leg drag-found hall and walked straight back, took victim hall. Chris met up with Andrew and Captain. * Victim was slippery. Arms and Legs once in the hallway. * Portable radio was off-transmission never went out. * Took victim to elevator bank, elevator control brought it up and they took victim to lobby. * Delay for EMS to get there. They are not dispatched on AFA. * Not convinced they had completed the search of the apartment.* https://firetrainingassociates.ca/* https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JhcOp9Z7XGw

* Grabs 158 South Adams County Fire, Co (June 17, 2024) * BC Andrew Fairban, LT Paulie Johnston,, Eng John Warmeth, FF Antony Giana * 152 p multiple calls * 2 story house with crawl space (Converted to multi-family) * Reported victim trapped in wheelchair. * 2nd due all in for search * Entrance blocked due to car fire, awning collapse (Also blocked stairs to basement-hidden) * 2 people in basement * Chief found basement window and victims, Tk28 came * Basement window entry difficult * Moderate smoke in basement but good lift * Longest time was to find that there was a basement. Once located victims came out quick * Smaller victims, 1st able to assist (boost out) second handed out.

* Grabs 157 North Hudson, NJ (January 23, 2025) * Nick speaks with Peter Mancini about a grab they made on January 23, 2025 in North Hudson, NJ * Peter Mancini-captain * North Hudson Fire & Rescue * January 23rd * 33 story hi rise * 0939 removal less than 20 minutes * female weight approximately 160 pounds age 77 * rope rescue from 29th floor balcony, fire was on the floor below. best to stay on balcony and shelter in place. * Crew * John Antommarchi 24 yrs * Phil Jawny 12 yrs. rescuer * Jamie Montes 12 yrs anchor man * Kevin Greenfield 7 yrs control man * train like you play. * the importance of tool assignment * you’re only as good as your crew.

* Grabs 156 Arvada Fire Protection District, CO (December 12, 2022) * Grant speaks with Phil and Tom from Arvada Fire Protection District about a grab made on December 14, 2022. * Phil Stover, FF/medic and Tom Lyons, Lt/medic * 3 level large multi family (Interior hall apartments-60ish) * Known victim floor 1/fire floor * PD evacuated on floor 2 * 12:01 from air brake to removal * Vict 120 pounds * Dirty drag/ arm and leg * Takeaways: * 1) communication, * 2) getting low, * 3) situational awareness, * 4) complacency (take every radio transmission with a grain of salt)

* Grabs 155 Mesa, AZ (August 20, 2017) * Nick speaks with Chris Sleigher and Kasey Beal about a grab they made on August 20, 2017 * Chris Sleigher (current BC), Captain at the time of the grab.  * Kasey Beal (current Chief 1 of Golden [CO] FD, BC at the time of the grab. * Mesa Fire And Medical Department.  * August 20, 2017, single-story, ordinary construction.  * Approximately five minutes between arrival, time, and victim removal.  * The weight of the victim was over 300 pounds.  * The removal method was performing the Denver drill out of an elevated window.  * Some of the takeaways were the IC was able to have tactical patience and understand the impacts of the flow path and victim removal. Trusting and training your cruise and departmental support and expect expectations through standard operation procedures. * YouTube video of Fairview Fire Review...https://youtu.be/Es67SVABGc0 * Takeaways-Ensure the 3-deep model for resources on working fires, especially with persons reported, backfill ambulances or rescues for firefighters, drop CyanoKits on smoke inhalation victims (us or them) strong command presence, predictable deployment of resources, commit on deck crews to support search, rescue and fire control, Plan B isn’t Plan A harder.

Grabs 154 Midwest City, OK (1/18/25)Grant speaks with Dan Herren about a grab they made on 1/18/25Captain Dan Herren6:30 AM Toned to mutual aid fire (Spencer)Engine on scene already from Spencer with line stretched.Arrival 7:50 after first engine1 story 800 SF SFD (Fire showing from roof)Go straight to BC cornerWindow search-Upon taking noticed floor to ceiling hoarding conditionsChose different room to start.  Search room and then into hall and rest of house.Victim found in bathroom (by second rescuer to search it)Dirty drag back to front door (path of least resistance) Arms and Legs (Head first)250 lbs not slippery and fully clothed.

* Grabs 153 Iona McGregor Fire (Fort Myers, FL) (1/23/25) * Grant speaks with Nick Fischer about a grab he made on 1/23/25 * BC first arrive on scene * Light smoke showing. * Reported victim inside * Engine 2 minutes behind BC * BC went in-smoke down to 3’, ducked under smoke and found victim in bedroom * 150 lb vict-put over shoulder to remove. * Saw the fire in the closet, isolated bedroom on way out. * Gave incoming units their assignments and did 360 prior to arrival of next in. * Discussion on go no go for BC arriving before suppression unit.

* Grabs 152 San Diego, CA (1/19/2025)* Nick speaks with Michael Culver about a grab they made on 1/19/25* Name and Rank: Michael Culver, Firefighter 3 / PM* Department Name: San Diego Fire-Rescue Dept* Date of Grab: 1/19/25* Type of building: single story Residential* Approx time from arrival to removal: arrival 18:32, removal 18:35* Weight of the victim (approximately): 110 lbs* Method of removal: lift and cradle carry, handled to another firefighter out the window.* 3-4 takeaways for show notes: assignment flexiblity, don't attempt something mult times if not working, risk considerations

* Grabs 151 Watauga Fire Department, TX (1/7/2025) * 1/7/25 * Grant speaks with Clayton Miller about a grab they made on 1/7/25 * FF Clayton Miller * 2 story residential * 2317-2325 * Vict weight 285 * Under arm and leg drag to window, out the window of the room * On scene, family told us exactly where he was in the house. Victim said that when he couldn’t get out, he got as low as he could and waited for our guys to come get them. Guy was stable upon removal and medic crew that found him transported him. Cyanokit was administered. House was high content load, the fire was relatively small but conditions in the fire room were good. Good visibility, but everything in the house was cluttered

Grabs 150 East Madison, IN (6/12/24)Nick speaks with Kyle Thomas about a grab they made on 6/12/24Kyle Thomas, CaptainEast Madison Fire Territory6/12/20242 story single family homeApprox time from arrival to removal (4 minutes to removal)Weight of the victim (approximately 110lbs)Method of removal (Simple grab and drag)A few takeaways I had were people are hot when they're in a fire and very slick.I did a simple left handed search and located her.  Probably should have used my TIC but honestly didn't think about it.I found her with my hands and probably would have missed her if I had tried searching with a tool.

Grabs 149 Spokane Fire, Washington (4/20/24)Grant speaks with Brennen and Cliff about a grab they make in Spokane on 4/20/24Brennen Cooke (FF) and Cliff York (Driver)Story and a half balloon frame house 1600 SFHeavy Fire front of structure (neighbor called, unknown occupants)Split SearchHoarder ConditionsArrival to first victim out- about 7 minutes7 minutes from first victim to last victim out2 year old boy, 7 year old boy, ~275lb adult male, ~300+ lb adult femaleAll 4 came out the half story windowIf forcing a door, do life fire layout immediately; don't clear jamb and then finish what you're doing firstActually might have to dig for victims in hoarder conditionsDo more training with cyano-kitsBring a ladder every time when assigned for searchMake sure to do a victim 360

* Grabs 148 Bowling Green, KY (1/26/2022)* Jeffrey Bryant speaks with Corey Mahaney about a grab made on January 26th, 2022* Some takeaways that I have are, I wish I would have flipped him over on his back. Because I was so close to the door and he was just laying on trash I drug him out face first. When we got off the truck we had a bystander in the yard saying that the victim ran back inside to look for his cat. We knew his last known location and did a targeted search based off our information. I remember there was thick black smoke pushing out of the front door and it was banked down to within a couple feet of the floor. Once I got right inside the door I could see his feet and knew he was face down. Quick mask up time is one thing that I think made this a quick grab. I was masking up as I was walking across the yard and when I got to the front door I was ready to go in. After the victim was out in the yard I opened his mouth and it has just a coating of black soot inside. Other firemen on scene took over patient care then the Patient was transported to a burn center. He is still alive as far as I know. After this me and my captain did VES to other rooms. The first victim was the only person located. The first room we tried to do VES through a window and stuff was stacked from the floor to ceiling we couldn’t make entry. The 2nd window I was able to climb in, while my captain stayed out with the tic. I was climbing on trash and I will never forget it was clear as could be in the room and before I got the whole room searched I had fire on top of the ceiling just rolling toward the flow path the broken window made. I know this is not part of the grab but it was the only experience I have had on the fire ground like this.

* Grabs 147 Cobb County, GA (Dec 7, 2024) * Jake Rogers, Captain Sean Gray * https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SzbLMjyczK0 * Jake’s first fire, second week on the job. * Residential fire right around the corner. * Basement fire with flames showing. * Initial plan was stretch 1.75” line, 30’ setback to bravo side. * Met by woman at AB corner, screaming that her husband was inside. (Soot on her face) * In bed, disabled and had dementia, right inside front door to the left. * Pivoted to rescue mode and made entry in front door. * 15’ down and 15’ back from door. * No viz and hot * Cobb county uses feet against the wall. * Called out when he got to room, was quiet and heard groaning. Found Hospital bed with lots of blankets and victim. * Pulled victim to legs and then ground from the bed. 160-170 lbs * Wrist lock for removal and protected his head as best he could. * Went out using bottle against the wall until met by LT. LT lead him the rest of the way out. * Victim out before second due arrived. 1:30-2 min. * Passed victim off and continued with fire attack. * https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12Keugk3hwb5G-pJdMEmyVv2BPaochHgJ

* Grabs 146 Rural Metro * Nick Ledin Speaks with Nick Johnson about a grab they had on Dec 6, 2024 * Nick Johnson, Resident Firefighter * Rural Metro Fire * Dec 6th 2024 * Single Wide Trailer * 3-4 minutes * 180-200 pounds * Drag method * Listening to occupants on the location of a victim is absolutely necessary to ensure a quick rescue. * Planning in the truck enroute to call the also helps speed up rescue time as each member knows their job when the company is in rescue mode. * Backseat guys need to absolutely be ready to go interior coming off the truck.

Grabs 145 Mandan Fire, ND (1/14/2024)JB talks with Lt Erik Short from Mandan Fire.  They talk about a grab that was made on 1/14/24 Air consumption rate during a rescue. How smaller departments can/ need to have a culture of being aggressive. Getting solid Intel on possible victims. Practical training.