When a large fire starts creating problem after problem, who owns the problem? And how does an Incident Commander keep the incident manageable when the size, complexity, and number of problems continue to grow? In this September episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, Brian Kelly sits down with A.C. Rich, retired Battalion Chief with the Raleigh Fire Department, to discuss command lessons from the March 16, 2017 Metropolitan fire in Raleigh, North Carolina. A.C. was the initial Incident Commander as the incident quickly grew into a large, complex operation involving multiple alarms, exposure protection, mutual aid, resource management, communications, accountability, and the protection of surrounding structures. But this conversation isn't simply about what happened at the Metropolitan. It's about a command philosophy that can be applied to incidents of any size: 🔥 Who owns the problem? The Incident Commander doesn't have to personally solve every problem. Instead, the command system needs to make sure each problem has an owner, the benchmark is understood, and the right resources are assigned to manage it. Brian and A.C. talk about: • Managing a large fire when the problems start multiplying• Establishing and managing benchmarks• Assigning ownership and delegating responsibility• Keeping complex incidents simple• Scaling incident command as the incident grows• Area, branch, and regional command• Resource management and staging• Mutual aid and protecting the rest of the city• Water supply and avoiding assumptions about operational problems• Communications and accountability• Preventing freelancing on a large incident• Exposure protection• EMS and rehab• Unexpected hazards during a major incident• The role of the EOC and 911 center• Transfer of command• Lessons that apply to career, volunteer, and combination departments We're also joined by Mike Legeros of Legeros Fire Line for our monthly look at North Carolina fire service history. Mike's takes a look this month at the history of the Winston Salem Public Safety unit. A special thank-you to Mike Legeros and Legeros Fire Line for helping us keep these stories alive. Each month, we recognize North Carolina fire departments reaching significant milestone anniversaries. This month, we're celebrating departments across the state marking 75-, 70-, 65-, 55-, and 45-year milestones. Congratulations to all of the departments celebrating another year of service to their communities! We wrap up the episode with news, deadlines, upcoming meetings, training opportunities, and other items important to the North Carolina fire service. And, of course, we finish the show with the Bucket Brigade—our chance to ask the guest a few questions that have absolutely nothing to do with fire service operations. The Carolina Fire Watch is a North Carolina fire service podcast focused on the people, issues, history, leadership, training, operations, and stories that matter to firefighters across the Old North State. The show is produced in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association. 🎙️ Host: Brian Kelly🔥 Podcast: The Carolina Fire Watch🤝 Produced in partnership with: North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association Who owns the problem? Maybe the better question is: Does Command really need to own every problem? That's the lesson we're exploring this month on The Carolina Fire Watch. #CarolinaFireWatch #NCSFA #FireService #IncidentCommand #NorthCarolinaFire 📚 THIS MONTH IN NORTH CAROLINA FIRE SERVICE HISTORY🚒 CAROLINA FIRE SPOTLIGHT📰 CAROLINA FIRE WIRE🎲 BUCKET BRIGADEABOUT THE CAROLINA FIRE WATCH
