GRABS Podcast

Brothers in Battle Media
  • 4.8 (170)
  • 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. APR 28

    Grabs 182 Cape Girardeau Fire Department, MO (12/20/25)

    Grabs 182 Cape Girardeau Fire Department, MO  (12/20/25) Andrew Juden Fire CaptainCape Girardeau Fire Department10:30 P report of 2 houses on fireSingle Family Dwelling-Rescue Mode 90% involvement-Report of Victim VES-Located conscious victim immediately. (One man in) Moderate smoke and heat, door starting to fail at top. 2nd man in to help get pt “unstuck” Pt with dog. Ammo started to cook off, they covered pt until it was passed. Hose line moved into room from window, because window started to light off. 2 firefighter lift out a 1st floor window-200 LBS, passed the victim out and finished the search. 5-6 minutesTake the water can with you. "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth"Training Makes the Difference-In high-stress situations, you don’t have time to think through every decision you rely on training and repetition. This rescue was a direct result of preparation and muscle memory, not improvisation.Teamwork Saves Lives-Successful rescues are never the result of one person. Clear communication, trust, and everyone doing their job played a critical role in the outcome. Decision Making Under Extreme Pressure-Conditions change rapidly, the unexpected happens, and decisions must be made with incomplete information. This incident reinforced the importance of staying calm, trusting your assessment, training, experience, and committing to a decision quickly.Time Is the Biggest Enemy-Fire growth and smoke conditions escalate faster than most people realize. This rescue highlighted how every second counts and how quickly survivable conditions can disappear. Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    27 min

  2. APR 14

    Grabs 181 Owensboro Fire Department, KY (12/1/25)

    Grabs 181 Owensboro Fire Department, KY (12/1/25) Josh Knies - Firefighter (K-Niece) Brad Hamilton - FirefighterDate of grab: 12/1/2025Type of building: Type V 2 story garden apartment Possible victim inside with limited mobility (radio traffic) 700 SQ FTLimited VisibilityApprox time from arrival to removal: 6 minutes from first arriving apparatus.Weight of the victim: 150 lbsMethod of removal: dirty drag.Takeaways: Speed of making entry. Everyone knowing their job.  Victim survivability with close proximity to the fire.Clearing a path to drag the victim.EMS waiting for the victim.Getting a second ambulance. https://www.wevv.com/news/kentucky/owensboro-firefighters-rescue-person-from-apartment-fire/article_3bd85af1-7c42-4df6-b93c-3f1de96223e4.html Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    23 min

  3. MAR 31

    Grabs 180 Grand Prairie, TX (11/20/25)

    Grabs 180 Grand Prairie, TX (11/20/25)  Stephen Hromcik-BC, Brady Tedrow-LT, Nolan Wade-FFTalk a little IC perspective. Battalion Chief was first on and attempted the rescue before the engine arrived. Type of building -Single family residence, single story, approx 1300-1500 sq ft, brick veneer-wood frameApprox time from arrival to removal-1st on fire engine to removal- 2 minutes Weight of the victim (approximately)-140lbsMethod of removal -Directed VEIS - Two rescuer wrist drag at floor level to exterior door. Approximately 8 feet.  LT/FF Takeaways: Early upgrade to second alarm and response of additional units for a known/possible rescue with multiple victims led to a positive outcomeWhether or not to mask up on fires with known victims.BC takeaways:  Upgrading to second alarm early, request additional ambulances for victims and personnel on scene. Command post location, using TIC on exterior 360, gearing up if first on scene of a reported  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    29 min

  4. MAR 17

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (116)

4.8
out of 5
170 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
    116
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GRABS Podcast
  • Show Website
    GRABS Podcast

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