Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast

Brink Fidler & Tom Herring
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

"Tips, Tactics, and Tools for a Safer Tomorrow" was inspired by frequent discussions between Brink Fidler, President of Defend Systems, and Tom Herring, Owner of Herring Technology, both driven by their commitment to educating clients on enhancing safety and security. Defend Systems specializes in physical security consulting and active shooter response training, while Herring Technology focuses on security solutions like access control, surveillance, alarms, and more. This podcast dives deep into all things safety and security—whether at home, work, church, or in public spaces. Our diverse guests come from a wide range of backgrounds, including school security experts, survivors of active shooter incidents, rescue task force managers, risk management professionals, technology specialists, federal agents, law enforcement experts, K9 trainers, and many more.

  1. Jun 9

    073 - What Keeps You Safe When Everything Goes Wrong?

    What should you know before investing in a gun safe, vault door, safe room, or storm shelter? In this episode, Brink and Tom sit down with Mark Brasfield, founder of Nashville Safe House and one of the largest Browning safe dealers in the world. Mark shares his journey from the airline industry to entrepreneurship, explains common misconceptions about safe ratings and fire protection, and discusses how homeowners can think strategically about physical security. The conversation also explores storm shelters, vault doors, reputation in business, and the real-world stories that have shaped Mark's approach to helping people protect what matters most. Whether you're considering a safe for firearms, valuables, or family protection during severe weather, this episode offers practical insights from one of the industry's most experienced professionals. 1:40 Mark is the world's largest dealer of Browning safes. 2:20 How Nashville Safe House began - from the airline industry into the security business 3:40 The entrepreneurial mindset 4:45 Aviation management and becoming a pilot at 19. 9:50 Understanding safe classifications and security ratings 11:10 Mark's top safe recommendations: Fort Knox: the "Fort Knox" of the safe industry and Browning: the best all-around option for most buyers 12:20 Misleading fire and security ratings in the safe industry. 14:45 Nashville Safe House's extensive in-stock inventory 19:30 "It's easier to keep a good reputation than to repair a bad one." 21:08 The Nashville Safe House "Wall of Shame"—a collection of safes that have been broken into. 21:59 Types of safe rooms and storm shelters. 23:05 The most popular shelter for existing homes. 24:20 Safe room options for new construction 26:00 There is no such thing as a "FEMA-approved" shelter, only shelters that meet FEMA guidelines. 27:10 What a storm shelter costs 28:20 A powerful tornado story from Murfreesboro, Tennessee 32:50 Who should consider a safe room? Assessing risk levels, threat profiles, and personal priorities. 36:00 Comparing security doors and why Mark believes Fort Knox makes the industry's best vault doors. 38:15 Typical pricing for the vault doors Mark installs: $9,000–$10,000 range. 40:00 Why buying a safe room or vault door should be a thoughtful process 44:15 Learn more at www.thesafehouse.com. Nashville Safe House serves customers through locations in Nashville, Knoxville, and Atlanta.

    45 min

  2. May 26

    072 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 3)

    In Part 3 of our Foundations of Church Security Teams series, we move beyond the initial response and focus on one of the most critical, and often overlooked, parts of a church security incident: what happens after contact is made with the threat. This episode covers the realities of integrating with responding law enforcement, how to conduct effective handoffs during a critical incident, why communication failures create danger, and the importance of tracking personnel and cleared areas inside your facility. Adam McIntyre shares lessons from Special Operations leadership, practical guidance for casualty management, and why realistic, church-specific training matters far more than static range practice. This episode provides practical insight into coordination, communication, room clearing, casualty response, and leadership under pressure. The next episode of this series will focus on radio communications.   1:05 Finishing where we left off: what happens after an incident begins and law enforcement arrives? 1:50 Why the person maneuvering toward the threat should not "sit on the radio" during the response 3:00 How support personnel should direct responders  3:53 Why teams must continue clearing the threat area even after the suspect is neutralized 4:40 The importance of establishing a designated law enforcement handoff point at your church 5:30 Understanding "battle tracking" and maintaining accountability for everyone inside the facility 6:30 Why link-up procedures during an incident can become dangerous without proper tracking 7:20 Every member of a church safety team must know how to conduct the law enforcement handoff 8:12 Near and far recognition signals: visual identifiers, radio communication, and announcing arrivals 10:50 Holding off-duty police officers and experienced personnel accountable to church procedures 13:45 Why training must happen inside your actual church facility, not just on a range or in a shoot house 17:20 Why law enforcement maintains jurisdiction and the importance of avoiding conflict with responders 18:15 Maintaining cleared areas without surrendering ground unnecessarily 20:05 The importance of secondary searches and thoroughly checking any space where a person could hide 21:53 Adam explains why declaring an area "secure" was one of the most stressful leadership decisions in Special Operations 22:45 Why church teams gain an advantage by training in the same environment they protect 23:45 Center-fed vs. corner-fed rooms and how teams should practice both 24:55 Why teams should intentionally allow failure during training to improve adaptability 27:00 Responding to casualties while the event is still unfolding 28:30 The difficult reality of prioritizing stopping the threat before treating victims 29:20 Establishing casualty collection points near exits 30:15 Prioritizing injuries during mass casualty events and why deceased victims should not be placed in casualty collection points 32:00 Plain language vs. coded language during emergencies 35:30 The importance of radio training and why it's one of the most overlooked low-cost skills for teams 40:00 The next episode of the series will focus entirely on communications training

    42 min

  3. May 12

    071 - Getting to Know Michael Bearden | From Green Beret to Defend Systems

    In this episode, we sit down with Michael Bearden, Defend Systems' new VP of Strategy and a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. Mike shares the story of his military career, from deploying to Iraq just months after graduating high school, to working in some of the most demanding environments in modern warfare, to eventually serving in 5th Special Forces Group. Along the way, he discusses Ranger School, combat deployments to the Middle East and Central Asia, the realities behind Special Operations missions, leadership under pressure, and the mindset required to operate in high-stakes environments. Mike also reflects on a life-changing incident in which he was accidentally shot, his transition into Special Forces, being named the 2021 Special Forces Instructor of the Year, and how his experiences ultimately led him to Defend Systems. This conversation offers a look at leadership, resilience, training, decision-making, and what it means to Mike to prepare people for their worst day. 2:30 – Introduction to Michael Bearden, Defend Systems' newest team member and former Green Beret 3:09 – Growing up in a military family and knowing early on he would join the Army 6:00 – Deploying to Iraq just months after basic training 8:00 – Learning to drive under night vision in a Humvee during deployment 9:15 – Mike's first deployment and the events later chronicled in Black Hearts 11:45 – Second deployment with the 101st Airborne and attending Ranger School 12:55 – Why Ranger School carries so much respect in the military 15:30 – Leadership lessons from Ranger School that shaped Mike's life and career 16:20 – A 15-month deployment to northwest Baghdad during a major insurgency campaign 17:30 – Mike's first exposure to Special Forces culture and operations 19:00 – Operation Dragon Strike and fighting in Taliban strongholds 20:35 – A life-altering friendly fire incident before a patrol 24:00 – Recovering in a Kandahar hospital and deciding to pursue Special Forces 25:30 – What Special Forces looks for: critical thinkers and independent decision-makers 32:25 – The structure and self-sufficiency required of a 12-man Green Beret team 36:05 – "We train for the mission we're designed for, the mission we're assigned, and our worst day." 37:15 – Joining 5th Special Forces Group and meeting Adam McIntyre 38:00 – The reality of military free-fall operations versus Army commercials 40:50 – The decentralized decision-making culture within Special Operations 46:20 – Being named the 2021 Special Forces Instructor of the Year 48:45 – Why teaching and mentorship are core parts of being a Green Beret 50:45 – Retirement from the Army and joining Tennessee Governor's Veteran Fellowship 52:30 – Reconnecting with Adam McIntyre and joining Defend Systems 58:05 – What ultimately drew Mike to Defend Systems and its mission 1:01:00 – Connecting the 5th Group motto, "Free the Oppressed," to empowering civilians through training

    1h 4m

  4. Apr 28

    070 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 2)

    In this second part of Foundations of Church Security Teams, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to discuss building and developing an effective safety team through the right mindset, strong leadership, and practical training. We cover communication, de-escalation, realistic preparation, and why consistency and standards matter. The episode also emphasizes medical readiness, proper team structure, and preparing for real-world threats beyond the basics. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we discuss handoffs to law enforcement and post-incident recovery. 1:04 This episode will focus on: training standards, equipment, and mindset 3:15 First responder mindset matters more than security team equipment 3:57 "Act now" mindset - Covenant vs. Uvalde response comparison 7:40 Leadership at the front must be followed, even if others are senior 14:00 Prioritize selecting regular, committed church attendees 17:00 Radio and comms training is often overlooked but critical 18:30 Start with basics before advancing to higher-level tactics. Use a crawl, walk, run progression. 19:22 De-escalation training and Tom's story about improper suspect engagement  28:30 Pushing through difficult training builds real-world readiness 31:40 Real gunfighting is different than range marksmanship 32:24 Firearm standards must be consistent across all team members 33:15 Follow local law enforcement training standards when unsure 37:50 Consider armed guard licensing or meet equivalent standards 39:00 Many church teams are only prepared for single threats, not coordinated attacks 41:00 "Warrior in a garden" mindset  44:30 Always have armed coverage near children's/youth areas 45:35 Trauma medical training is essential for saving lives 48:20 Use of GRG map grids to improve internal building response 50:15 Next episode: law enforcement handoff and aftermath

    52 min

  5. Mar 17

    069 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 1)

    What does it actually take to build an effective church security team? In Part 1 of this series, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to break down the foundations of church safety, from who should be on your team to why having any team is better than none. Adam shares practical insights on recruitment, roles, communication, and common mistakes churches make when getting started. Whether your church is just beginning to think about safety or looking to strengthen an existing team, this episode offers clear, experience-driven guidance to help you take the next step. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll dive into how to train a team effectively. 1:03 – Introduction to the series: developing, recruiting, training, and maintaining a church safety team with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems 5:50 – Why pastors should not lead safety team development and how it can polarize a congregation 7:44 – A high-level approach: prioritize the right 5 people over a large, uncommitted team 9:36 – The #1 rule: have a team 11:00 – What makes a good team member? 11:55 – The Security Operations Center (SOC): why your camera operator plays a critical role 16:00 – The challenge of multiple entry points: managing doors effectively 20:15 – Why gamers often make excellent SOC operators 21:55 – The importance of radio training and clear communication 23:40 – Key traits to look for: humility, communication, and a willingness to train 26:30 – Identifying and leveraging people who can augment your team 27:00 – Limited training time: why efficiency and clear SOPs are critical 30:47 – Reference: West Freeway Church of Christ shooting and lack of coordination 32:15 – Resource highlight: Faith-Based Security Network 35:20 – Start with private recruiting before making public announcements 38:45 – Small vs. large churches: same principles, different execution 40:00 – Local collaboration and how we can connect you with resources - email info@tipstacticstools.com  Coming Next: Part 2 – How to train a church security team

    44 min

  6. Feb 24

    068 - Empowered, Not Afraid: A Civilian Perspective on Active Shooter Training

    What really changes after active shooter response training? In this episode, Mary Dexter, Facilities Manager at National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), shares her "before and after" perspective following Defend Systems training. Mary explains why she felt compelled to bring the training to her leadership team, and what shifted across her organization once employees experienced it. From facility walkthroughs to rapid response medical training, she discusses the practical value of preparation and why this training is about empowerment, not fear. If you're a business leader, facilities manager, or everyday civilian wondering whether this training is worth the time, this episode offers a firsthand look at what it actually feels like to go through it, and why Mary says there's no reason not to equip people with knowledge that could save a life. 3:20 — Why this episode exists: hearing from an everyday civilian about empowerment, not fear 4:16 — Why Mary advocated to bring active shooter response training to NASBA 7:20 — Who initiates security training and why it's now viewed like disaster preparedness 12:50 — Mary's view on the time commitment 15:10 — Considering the risk of employees regularly exposed to public environments 16:39 — You never know the final trigger in a person in crisis 18:00 — Three confirmed life-saves from rapid response medical training 19:15 — No one wants to face this, but it's necessary 20:14 — Why Mary calls the training empowering, not fear-based 26:00 — Emotional investment without causing trauma 31:14 — Why laws and codes haven't caught up 32:59 — Encouraging listeners to contact elected representatives 34:49 — No reason not to empower people with life-saving knowledge 37:19 — Perishable skills and training your primitive brain 38:38 — Addressing prior trauma and offering pre-conversations with employees 41:42 — Those who trained may have to care for those who didn't 43:10 — A skillset that lasts a lifetime

    47 min

  7. Jan 20

    067 - Inside the Investigations That Close the Case

    In his last appearance on the podcast, Bobby Young joined us to discuss the armed security side of Covert Results. This time, he returns alongside Olivia Wilson, who leads the private investigation division, to dive into the realities of PI work—far from what movies portray. They break down what private investigation actually looks like, from hours-long surveillance and due diligence to complex civil and custody cases, and share how their team helped bring the George Jones' widow fraud case to completion through careful investigation and coordination with law enforcement. 2:35 Olivia's start at the Metro Nashville Police Academy 3:56 Olivia's role overseeing investigative work at Covert Results 5:12 Why people always ask about the "craziest" PI stories 8:20 Movie surveillance vs. real-life surveillance 10:53 A case Covert Results is especially proud of 11:35 Serving a lawsuit tied to cryptocurrency fraud involving George Jones' widow 14:30 Working with police to stop the suspect fleeing the country 17:20 A successful example of PIs and law enforcement working together 21:30 The realities of surveillance: no bathrooms, long hours, full gas tanks 26:00 More details on the George Jones' widow fraud case 27:20 Remembering Nancy Jones and her humility 30:49 The Smokin Thighs murder case 36:18 Unusual cases, including stolen pets 36:53 Child custody case involving drug activity and surveillance 41:37 Bobby's most memorable missing persons case 44:05  A cyberstalking investigation 46:20 Learn more at www.covertresults.com

    48 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    066 - Raising the Bar in Private Security

    Bobby Young, Founder of Covert Results, shares his journey from Metro Nashville Police to building one of the region's most trusted security and investigative firms. Bobby explains why proactive security, relentless standards, and continuous training matter, and why real protection goes far beyond simply posting a guard. From schools and churches to high-profile events, this episode dives into what sets exceptional security apart. 2:08 Bobby's background and path into armed security and investigations 3:20 Metro Nashville Police Academy; joining the 20th Judicial Drug Task Force and participating in Nashville's largest cocaine seizure 5:08 Founding Covert Results with his mother-in-law; now in year nine 10:20 Competing to rank #1 on Google for "top private investigators in Nashville" 13:08 Why real protection is more than "a person with a gun" 18:45 Overview of Covert Results' services: Event, school, church, executive, and building security (no bar security) 19:10 Why unarmed security often falls short 21:50 "If I'm signing us up for something, I'm willing to do it myself." 24:00 A story from a large event where Bobby's team acted fast 27:30 Relentlessness as a core value 29:27 Rapid growth in school security 31:35 High standards for guards: training beyond minimum qualifications 37:00 New Tennessee law requiring active shooter training for armed guards in schools and churches 39:15 Recruiting professionals committed to high standards 41:30 Contact Bobby: contact@covertresults.com

    44 min
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About

"Tips, Tactics, and Tools for a Safer Tomorrow" was inspired by frequent discussions between Brink Fidler, President of Defend Systems, and Tom Herring, Owner of Herring Technology, both driven by their commitment to educating clients on enhancing safety and security. Defend Systems specializes in physical security consulting and active shooter response training, while Herring Technology focuses on security solutions like access control, surveillance, alarms, and more. This podcast dives deep into all things safety and security—whether at home, work, church, or in public spaces. Our diverse guests come from a wide range of backgrounds, including school security experts, survivors of active shooter incidents, rescue task force managers, risk management professionals, technology specialists, federal agents, law enforcement experts, K9 trainers, and many more.

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