GRABS Podcast

Brothers in Battle Media
  • 5.0 (18)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 2025-12-03

    Grabs 171 Pinellas Park, FL (April 15, 2025)

    Grabs 171 Pinellas Park Fire, FL (April 14, 2025)  Name and Rank- Lt Bill WeaverPinellas Park Fire Department Type of building- 2 story wood frame townhomeMet by neighbor-said an elderly person lives in house, no confirmation. Good viz on first floor, zero viz on second floor Dead battery on TICApprox time from arrival to removal - 6 minutes Weight of victim- 130lbsMethod of removal- dirty drag Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    28 min

  7. 2025-11-19

    Grabs 170 Sac Metro Fire, CA (August 15, 2024)

    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.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    33 min

  8. 2025-11-05

    Grabs 169 Rocky Mount Fire, NC (May, 2024)

    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.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    23 min
See All (112)

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
    112
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GRABS Podcast
  • Show Website
    GRABS Podcast

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