GRABS Podcast

Brothers in Battle Media
  • 4.8 (175)
  • 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. 2d ago

    GRABS 192- Chatham County (GA) Fire Department (4.12.26)

    Name: John Farrell Captain Truck 307  Department: Chatham County Fire Department Date: 4 12 2026  Building type: 3 story multi-family residual, lightweight wood-frame. Smoke and flames coming from the alpha side stair well extended to the Charlie side of the structure division 2 and 3. Reports of 5 victims 2 kids 3 adults  Time of arrival: 4:02 4:04 Assisted and walked down the 24ft ladder PD video of kid drops: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F1CQjFKZHjJ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871441996172%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BbrFWrhu4ImAXObZDppF7oRPBHEc4XtiXsj22vELc4M%3D&reserved=0 FD video of 3 ladder rescues: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F1CkbNTapPb%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871442197993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0jhAEcpsT4IiSBqYPW9Jn9o42jdcbaZsK9bxrG9xQE%3D&reserved=0  3 takeaways:  Nobody cares if it’s your first fire, be ready to preform. Physically and mentally  Training matters we train to run on the fireground its about them not us SPEED with a PURPOSE  We get to do this job be really good at it  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  2. Sep 1

    GRABS 191 - Rutherford County (TN) Fire and Rescue (4.4.26)

    Philip Nichols/Captain Rutherford County Fire and Rescue April 4, 2026 1800 hrs Single story single family dwelling (1200 sq ft ranch) 4 minutes from on scene to victim removed 260-275 Never let go of a conscious victim Never put your tool down Smoke drunk is a real thing, never trust a conscious victim.  Don’t get complacent. A small fire with a decent amount of smoke make me think it would be an easy job and cause me to make some poor decisions.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  3. Aug 18

    Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004)

    Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004) Grant speaks with John Lovato (BC, then FF) 2 Story Multi-FamilyMultiple Units Arrive at the Same TimeFirst Vice Located by another crew on couch (deceased) 4-6 FF's went upstairs, child located in closet in laundry basket quickly.  Viz @ kneesQuick one person removalDiscussion about how unorganized this felt (as a new FF) Under 3 minutes arrival to removal  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  4. Aug 4

    GRABS 189 - Normal (IL) Fire Department (11.2.25)

    Matt Hill- Lieutenant 17 yearsNate Riordan- Firefighter 11 yearsNormal Fire Department- Normal, ILAssigned to E10 the night of the incident (2nd arriving)11/2/2025 approx. 1:45amSingle-wide mobile home- Early 1980s modelApproximate Times:Made entry approx. 3 minutes after arrival on sceneAround 35 seconds to breach the exterior wallLocated Victim approximately. 3 minutes after entryRemoved victim approx. 3 minutes after locating himI think he was at the hospital about 9ish minutes later12yo child- Approx. 100lbsRemoved by hand- passed him offTakeaways:When there is reported entrapment, get off the rig in the rescue mindset. Any chance the victim had would not have existed if another 30 seconds went by.The 360* survey is critical. Three sides of that building were f****d and I actually radioed that a rescue was not possible after seeing three. The 4th side changed my mind and made me realize there was a chance to get in and search.Kids hide- Be thorough. Search like you’re looking for your own child.Coordination is key- We got the grab, but this was a full unit effort. We were in the room, but multiple people outside made it possible. Including:Bat Chief- Trusted his people to work.Nozzle FF on E13- Got the line in place at the window to control the room before it flashed.Water supply- Two Engineers were FAST establishing itLt. Martin/Engineer Gerrietts- Passed out the victim and they got him to EMS QuickALS Providers- Two of our FF/Medics doffed their gear and went into Medic mode, two others joined them and they provided excellent care in a timely manner. Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  5. Jul 21

    GRABS 188 - Paulding County (GA) Fire and Rescue (3/29/26)

    Lieutenant Caleb Caldwell.Paulding County Fire & Rescue. Paulding County Georgia. March 29th, 2026.Single story, wood-frame residence on a crawlspace.6 minutes, 12 seconds from on-scene to victim removal.Approx. weight is 250-275lbs.Drag from bed to a make-shift table, out a window on a ladder.  Takeaways: Positive: Allowing homeowner to show potential victim location. Having a culture of targeted search even as first due engine. Using ladder from the residence to execute search and removal. Having a driver fighting fire from the exterior while officer and backstep are searching for known victim location. Negative: Line should have been deployed directly to point of VES for better/quicker protection.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  6. Jul 7

    GRABS 187 - Lexington County Fire Service (3/7/26)

    Colin Cotter (Firefighter) & Reilly Kilbride (Firefighter) Lexington County Fire Service 3/7/2026 Two story single family wood frame  Arrival to removal = 4min Dirty drag from ankles (each FF had one ankle) then extremity carry down the stairs  Take aways - all units on scene did their jobs effectively to put our crew in a position to make the rescue  - outside training was a big factor in making this rescue go smoothly. We both attened a large amount of outside training both together and separately. We both felt very prepared to be in the position to make an effective rescue.  - Doing training regularly with our crew built a good team chemistry that paid off during this rescue.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  7. Jun 23

    GRABS 186 Rock Island, IL (12/1/25)

    Sitting down with Chaon Hanson and Jacob Kelly of the Rock Island, IL Fire Department.  They're talking about a rescue they had on December 1st, 2025. This was in a 1.5 story wood frame that from all sides "appeared vacant". The victim was found within the first 6' of a point of egress. Victim weight was 120-150 pounds. Key takeaways -   - Fire Based EMS with Jump Companies  - How much the data reflects the fireground Grabspodcast@gmail.com

  8. Jun 9

    GRABS 185 St.. Paul FD (1/3/26)

    Firefighter John SchowengerdtSt. Paul (MN) Fire Department1.3.26Modified Multi-Family DwellingAbout 15 minutes from arrival on scene until victim removedVictim weighed about 175#Removal was a 2-person dirty drag3-4 takeaway:Don't be complacentExpect victims even in small firesAutomatic Fire Alarms - If a building calls the FD stating it's on fire...assume the building is rightPractice moving victims up stairs Grabspodcast@gmail.com

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4.8
out of 5
175 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
    126
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GRABS Podcast
  • Show Website
    GRABS Podcast

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