Send us a text Shane Ray has been a volunteer firefighter since 1984 and a career firefighter since 1994. He has also served as a mayor for six years and the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Legislative Chairman for 12 years. Ray served as the fire chief of the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department in Tennessee for 13 years. He then served under Governor Nikki Haley in South Carolina as superintendent and state fire marshal. He currently serves as the president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association...
Apr 23, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text Captain Phillip Grandon of Lubbock (TX) Fire/Rescue experienced a life changing event in 2018 while making an attack at a fire in cotton warehouse. He and a fellow crew member experienced a massive collapse of cotton bales and declared a MAYDAY when they were separated from their hose line and could not exit the structure. Captain Grandon shares with us, in detail what happened that day and the many lessons learned from this experience. This episode is co-hosted by Nick Brunacini ...
Apr 19, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text This episode is co-hosted by Nick Brunacini , Josh Blum and John Vance . We have seen a lot of big box and distribution center fires that have resulted in total losses lately. This includes the Home Depot Fire in San Jose on April 9, 2022. We review that audio and talk about the critical fire ground factors at Big Box Fires (hint: it is a lot different than a single family dwelling fire!). Sign up for the 2023 Hazard Zone Conference : https://www.bshifter.com/SelectBlueCardCommand...
Apr 12, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text This episode is co-hosted by Nick Brunacini , Josh Blum and John Vance . Radio traffic from Colerain Township Ohio that has a lot going on. The engine was sent to a smoke investigation and discovered a structure fire. Listen as the alarm is upgraded and IC #1 puts together an effective IAP after evaluating the critical fireground factors. This also features a great command transfer and some priority traffic as the incident escalates. Mayday Management Workshops are open! Sign up h...
Apr 05, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Don Abbott's Project Mayday has been updated with 2021 numbers and we are here to break it down and offer some commentary on what is continuing to get Firefighters in to trouble. We finish up the episode with another Timeless Tactical Truth from Alan Brunacini. This episode is co hosted by Nick Brunacini , Josh Blum , Jeff King and John Vance Production Assistance from Katie Brunacini For more information on Blue Card go to http://bshifter.com Check out the Bruno "Be Nice" shirt a...
Mar 22, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text In 2008, Firefighters from Colerain Township (Hamilton Co, OH) Fire Captain Robin Zang Broxterman, 37-years-old, a 17-year veteran career Firefighter and Paramedic, and Firefighter Brian Schira, 29-years-old, a 6 month probationary, part-time Firefighter and EMT with Colerain Township Fire & EMS both died in the Line of Duty after the floor they were on collapsed into the burning basement at a residential fire. We talk to Fire Chief Allen Walls about the recovery process after...
Mar 08, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text This episode features real world radio traffic from Cobb County, Georgia. We will break down the different elements of the application of the 8 functions of command and review the initial size through a strategic shifts. This episode is hosted by Josh Blum. If you have radio traffic that you like to submit, please send it to josh@bshifter.com . This episode is co-hosted by Nick Brunacini. Contact Nick at nick@bshifter.com Produced by John Vance Production Assistant is Katie Brunac...
Feb 22, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text We are putting B Shifter on hold this week to preview a new podcast for you, the Chief's Challenge. We will talk about leadership and administrative issues that chief officers deal with and to give you an outlet to share with us as well. To subscribe please check us out here: Subscribe to The Chief's Challenge Thanks for listening!...
Feb 08, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text This episode features Murrey Loflin, Nick Brunacini, Josh Blum, Jeff King and John Vance. Murrey E. Loflin began his fire service career with the Beckley Fire Department in Beckley West Virginia on June 1, 1979. He was hired by the Virginia Beach Fire Department in February 16, 1983 as a fire fighter/EMT. He was assigned as the fire department safety officer as of January 1, 1986. Effective July 16, 1988, he was promoted to the rank of Captain continuing to serve as health and saf...
Jan 29, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text On this episode of B Shifter Josh Blum and John Vance play and breakdown some more outstanding radio traffic from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. This includes; -Initial Radio Report -Assigning Units -CAN's -Command Transfer -Strategic Shift If you are looking for some real world examples of Blue Card in use, look no further than this episode! Also we feature a Timeless Tactical Truth discussing IC's who play favorites or manage their scenes as political events. Contact Josh Blum at ...
Jan 17, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text For the sake of continuous improvement, we owe to ourselves to critique or review our incidents. On this episode we talk about the kind of reviews we do and the benefits for our organizations and even the mental health of our members that come with the After Action Review! Nick Brunacini is the leader of B Shifter and Blue Card. He joined the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD) in 1980. He served seven years as a firefighter on different engine companies before promoting to captain and ...
Dec 28, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text Pour a cup of nog and settle in to this Holiday Classic from Nick Brunacini detailing his "first fire" after he and his brother John were given the task of disposing of the Brunacini family Christmas tree. The full story is here.... http://tinyurl.com/bshifterchristmastree Have a happy and safe holiday season from B Shifter!...
Dec 17, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text What is a CAN report, status change or priority traffic? What is the anatomy of a good roof report? We answer those questions plus tackle a Timeless Tactical Truth on this B Shifter! Nick Brunacini is the leader of B Shifter and Blue Card. He joined the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD) in 1980. He served seven years as a firefighter on different engine companies before promoting to captain and working nine years on a ladder company. Nick served as a battalion chief for five years, an...
Nov 28, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text This episode features Nick Brunacini and Josh Blum. Does Blue Card only work if there are palm trees in front of the structure? Do we demand 5 Engines and 2 Trucks on the scene for Blue Card to really be effective? Do you get your Blue Card status suspended if you cut a hole in the roof? Is Blue Card pro combination nozzle? Find out the answer to these questions and more as we explore just what is this Blue Card? At the end of the episode we draw a card from Bruno's Timeless Tacti...
Nov 02, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text “The initial radio report is probably one of the most important communications we transmit throughout an entire incident” - Alan Brunacini. This episode features Nick Brunacini and Josh Blum. We break down the Initial Radio Report (IRR), follow up and command transfer from some great examples and application from the street. First we go to Colerain Township, Ohio for an excellent IRR and some great dispatcher interaction too. Then we check out an IRR, follow up and command transfe...
Oct 19, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Four years ago today, we lost our leader and friend, Alan Brunacini.
Oct 15, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text This episode features Nick Brunacini , Josh Blum and John Vance. We talk about the new Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona, the evolution of Blue Card having its own "home" and the future planned training. Here is the KTAR story that talks about the mural here . The FOX 10 (PHX) story about the mural here . For information on upcoming events check out www.bshifter.com Contact Nick Brunacini at nick@bshifter.com Contact Josh Blum at josh@bshifter.com Conta...
Oct 05, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text On this episode we visit with Garrido and Nick about how they started working together, learn about some of the legends that Garrido has worked with and how she came to be the Editor in Chief of B Shifter Quarterly. Michelle Garrido Sutton, editor of B Shifter, has 21 years of fire-service editorial experience. She has worked on several public-safety titles, including “Emergency,” “Jems,” “FireRescue” and “Wildland Firefighter,” in addition to multiple trade and consumer publicati...
Sep 21, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text Rich Merritt spent most of his life in Southern California, but now lives primarily in Tennessee. He's been married for almost 22 years and has 2 sons. Rich is also an accomplished trumpet player! Recently retired, he had a 30 year fire service career, most of it spent on the Costa Mesa Fire Department in Orange County, CA. Digital Combustion was started with his fellow firefighter and friend Doug Prochnow over 23 years ago. Doug also is a 30 year veteran of the Fire Service. More...
Sep 07, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text Daryl Gordon LODD NIOSH Report https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/pdfs/face201506.pdf Radio traffic from the Daryl Gordon LODD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_3UzmMOY4 Grant Light has more than 40 years invested in the fire service. He started in 1977 on small suburban departments as a volunteer and part-time employee. For the past 26 years, Grant has worked for the Cincinnati Fire Department, where he began his tenure as a backseat firefighter on busy urban engine companies. After...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text Nick and Jeff are here to talk about implementing Blue Card, what it is and what it isn't and how it is a powerful tool to unify the operations of any size fire department. Contact Jeff King at jeffery@bshifter.com Jeffery L. King began his career with the Houston Fire Department in 2001 and currently serves as a safety officer. As a dedicated student of the fire service, Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in fire science and a Master of Science in emergency services management. He...
Aug 10, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text Meet Jeff King who is our Professional Development Manager, Lead Instructor and Houston Fire Department member. He joins us on this episode to talk all things Blue Card, especially in a large system like Houston. Contact Jeff at jeffery@bshifter.com Jeffery L. King began his career with the Houston Fire Department in 2001 and currently serves as a safety officer. As a dedicated student of the fire service, Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in fire science and a Master of Science i...
Jul 27, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text This episode of B Shifter is as fun as it is informative. We had a blast listening to Terry and Nick recount their first meeting, coming up in the Phoenix system and the highs and lows of senior management in the fire service. In 2007, Terry Garrison retired from the Phoenix Fire Department after serving more than 30 years. Working for Alan Brunacini and reaching the level of assistant chief of operations helped shape Terry’s consistent values: firefighter safety and customer serv...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text Jeff Griffin is our hero for sharing so much for the benefit of those who may be going through what he has gone through. He joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1981. In 1982, while still a rookie, Griffin was named Firefighter of the Year for pulling a fellow firefighter to safety. He remained with the PFD for 31 years, serving as a firefighter, engineer and captain. In July 1989, Griffin suffered extensive burn injuries when he fell into a fully involved attic fire. A neighbor ...
Jun 29, 2021•2 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text Josh Blum, Blue Card Program Manager is here to talk about Maydays and his reaction to the information that Don Abbott gave us on the last episode. Josh Blum has been in the fire service since 1993. He began his service as a volunteer firefighter before accepting a full-time career position. Josh served as the deputy chief of operations for the Loveland Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department, where he measurably increased the department’s training and operational effectiveness. Josh retire...
Jun 15, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text “PROJECT MAYDAY” is a comprehensive study of mayday responses, incidents and prevention. Originally funded by a private foundation grant for one year to CERT(Command Emergency Response Training), Don and Bev Abbott,Glendale, Arizona. The project will provide information into the cause and response to “mayday” activities. This project will research each identified “mayday” submitted into three components through the use of surveys/responses. The original grant project was completed...
Jun 01, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Send us a text B Shifter is the newest fire service podcast covering leadership, command, and other topics that are of interest to fire and emergency service personnel.
May 26, 2021•4 min0
