GRABS Podcast

Brothers in Battle Media

GRABS Podcast: Grant Schwalbe, Justin McWilliams, Nick Ledin, Jeffrey Bryant and others bring you the stories of the victim rescues being made all over the country.  

  1. 16 HRS AGO

    Grabs 179 South Bend, IN (1/21/2024)

    Grabs 179 South Bend, IN (1/21/2024) Brian Williams (Captain) People working out of position. Initial reports-no entrapment.  Dinner time.  2-3 blocks from firehouse. Enroute 2 trapped and multiple calls. 2 story balloon frame-heavy fire out of every window and door on 1st floor. Heavy smoke on 2nd. Bystander said 4 kids.Stretched line 1 3/4” got pinned down with fire everywhereOfficer found stairs, brought hose to base of stairs to hold. Met up with second engine company and flowed water on second floor.  Found shut door. Captain E7 found 2 kids in bedroom (DOA) Searching another room found kid (boot first) Dragged her out (over knee with her head down) passed her off to another FF. Continued to search that room (heard glass breaking-E4 VES and found another girl right under window sill.) Brian continued to search bed-tic swung and caught his attention and he found an 18 month old wrapped up in the bed-passed baby off to another FF.FF Mayday occurs when FF fell through floor.  Ended up going defensive.  5 total kids removed. Reports of one missing.  Shut down ladder and found last kid in blowtorching room. 3 rescues/3 recoveriesTake-Aways  Closed doors by time-even with heavy fireSearch beds thoroughlyMental side-peer support  https://wsbt.com/news/local/fire-flames-smoke-children-dead-house-home-investigation-cause-fund-fundraiser-family-smith-six-laporte-avenue-south-bend-indianaContact Brian brian.m.williams1992@gmail.com Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    33 min

  2. MAR 3

    GRABS 178 Danville (IL) FD (11/6/25)

    Retired Battalion Chief Darby (28 years) and Firefighter Kevin Allen (7 Years) Danville Fire Department (Illinois) Grab date 11/6/2025 1.5 Story wood frame with detached garage 22:48 arrival 1st unit....23:00 victim removed from division 2 window 140-150 lb male victim Ladder assisted rescue Take aways....continue to prioritize search, we confirm by searching that the building is clear, constant sizeup during fire suppression Be humble because at some point in your career you will be humbled Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    21 min

  3. FEB 17

    Grabs 177 Pulaski Fire Department, Virginia (4/30/25)

    Grabs 177 Pulaski Fire Department, Virginia (4/30/25) Lt John Hall Pulaski Fire April 30, 2025One station combination dept 3 story apartment complex, downtown Heavy fire C side, 3rd floor Victim presented at window, 3rd floor. Victim on counter top sticking head out kitchen window. They wanted to take her out the window to the bucket of the ladder truck but it wasn’t there yet.  They assisted victim to walk out from 3rd floor.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    17 min

  4. FEB 3

    Grabs 176 North County Fire Protection District (7/28/25)

    Grabs 176 North County Fire Protection District (7/28/25)  Thomas Outzen CaptainNorth County Fire Protection DistrictJuly 28th, 2025Double wide mobile homeArrival about 0656 hours and removal around 0704Approx 275lbs+Initially attempted to under arm drag, needed assistance and went with push/pull1. Everything moving quick and going "right" still doesn't mean a successful outcome2. be heads up on the fire ground for comms and as proactive as your departmental scope allows3. don't be afraid to make a decision and stick with it, but be ready for the what ifs both internally and from others4. have a good debrief, look after everyone Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    31 min

  5. JAN 20

    Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016)

    Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016) Morgan Craver, Volunteer FirefighterColumbia-Richland FDDuring Hurricane Matthew Phone call from BC, reporting tree on a house. Rural area with Engine and Tender 2 on each Tree split manufactured home in half with the home on fire. Line pulled and fire knocked from outsideLots of family members-ran up to report grandma inside. Family showed where victim was (behind door, they couldn’t open) trapped behind locked door and tree. Mule kick door open (a few tries) smoke at about 3’ duck below allowed him to see victim. Backward drag under victim’s arms 250-300 lb victim Engineer and family member assisted with removal.  5minutes 24 minutes until second arrival rig due to trees down. Take-Aways  Develop a routine  Plan for Audible when you’re far out from incoming companies  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    29 min

  6. JAN 6

    Grabs 174 Danville Fire Department, Illinois (March 26th, 2023)

    Nick speaks with Matt Goodner about a rescue made on March, 26th, 2023. Name and Rank: Matt Goodner - Firefighter Department Name: Danville Fire Department (IL) Date of Grab: March 26th, 2023 Type of Building: Two-story, type 3, eight unit multi-family low income apartment building.  Four units per floor connected by open hallways with open stairwells on each side of the building.  This complex has 30 buildings of the same size and construction.   Approximate Time from Arrival to Removal: 6-8 minutes Weight of the Victim: 325-350 pounds Method of Removal: Extension ladder to a second story window.   Takeaways: The physical and psychological effects of stress and adrenaline are real.  Auditory exclusion and tunnel vision came crashing in hard on this call.  Training was crucial because my body went into autopilot mode.  We needed predetermined plays for our crew that Identified which circumstances and indicators would cause a shift from fire attack to victim rescue.  Parallel ladders should be the play when possible. In the days and weeks after the dust settles, there's an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows, pride and humility, and second-guessing and what-ifs.  Navigating all of those thoughts and scenarios wasn't something I ever expected.   Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    33 min

  7. 2025-12-30

    Grabs 173 Montgomery County, Maryland (January 20, 2023)

    Grabs 173 Montgomery County, Maryland (January 20, 2023)  Name and Rank-Ryan Harris, CaptainDepartment Name-Montgomery County Fire & RescueDate of Grab-January 20, 2023, 2300hrsType of building -2 Story single family, split foyerVictim was on phone with dispatch while crews arrived. She was second victim. TIC-Mirrors and Windows made TIC ineffective. First victim, passed off to VES crew for removal.  Called for additional manpower. While removing 1st victim, second victim was screaming. They thought a victim was on the phone, it was a different incident. Approx time from arrival to removal-10 minutesWeight of the victim (approximately)-250, 130Method of removal -Extremities2-4 takeaways for show notes  As a FF, fitness isn't something you can develop in the moment, always be readyAs an OFC, be the leader for the future of the departmentAs an OFC, "If you're reading this, you obviously care. Do what you can, no matter what your level, to be the change you want to see in your department, regardless of what others think or say." -Chief John Sullivan Firegroundanalytics.comryan_harris@live.com Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    50 min

  8. 2025-12-17

    Grabs 172 Rowley, MA (June 22, 2024)

    Grabs 172 Rowley Fire, MA  (June 22, 2024)  Name and Rank: RJ Oleary Call Firefighter-EMT Department: Rowley Fire in Georgetown, MADate: June 22nd 2024 Came in as a outside fire-upgraded to house fireType of building: Single family residential home 1.5 story wood frame Approx time to remove: 4-5 min Weight of victim: 150-160 LBS VES Method of removal: dirty drag to window (arms first) and lifted out with assistance (tall window sill)  from second and third firefighter. Double Ladders.Takeaways:  Look for the AC unit-indicate a bedroom. Have a plan once you arrive communicate that plan with your crew. Be comfortable and confident performing VES know when to use it. Familiarity with your crew know there levels of training, confidence and proficiency’s Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    31 min
See All (115)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

GRABS Podcast: Grant Schwalbe, Justin McWilliams, Nick Ledin, Jeffrey Bryant and others bring you the stories of the victim rescues being made all over the country.  

Information

  • Creator
    Brothers in Battle Media
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GRABS Podcast
  • Show Website
    GRABS Podcast

You Might Also Like