GRABS Podcast

Brothers in Battle Media
  • 4.8 (165)
  • 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. 6D AGO

    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

  2. 12/17/2025

    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

  3. 12/03/2025

    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

  4. 11/19/2025

    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

  5. 11/05/2025

    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

  6. 11/01/2025

    Grabs 168 Fall River Fire Department, Mass Part 2-The Outside Rescues (July 13, 2025)

    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 Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    36 min

  7. 10/22/2025

    Grabs 167 Fall River Fire Department, Mass (July 13, 2025)

    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 Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    30 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    Grabs 166 Potomac Fire Company #2, Maryland (9/1/2025)

    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. Grabspodcast@gmail.com

    24 min
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4.8
out of 5
165 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GRABS Podcast
  • Show Website
    GRABS Podcast

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