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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 publications. Since 2009, Michelle has worked for Across the Street Productions on its Blue Card, B Shifter and Fire Command projects. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Trent, and their son, Ethan.

The famous Christmas Tree story can be found here.

If you have a question for Michelle Garrido Sutton or you would like to write an article for B Shifter, you can contact her at [email protected].

This is the latest B Shifter Quarterly featuring the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center link here.

Nick Brunacini (our leader/ring leader) can be contacted at [email protected]

Associate Producer Katie Brunacini

Hosted and produced by John Vance.

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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 information about Digital Combustion here.

You can contact Rich at [email protected] .

Contact John Vance at [email protected]

Production assistance from Katie Brunacini 

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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 promoting to lieutenant in 2002, Grant spent 4 years in the training division, delivering recruit and incumbent-level training. When the CFD expanded its special operations by adding a second heavy rescue, Grant took the opportunity to transfer into the program. He spent every workday in his last years with CFD in charge of HR 9. CFD’s heavy rescues are responsible for hazmat, technical rescue and fire suppression. Grant is also a deputy commissioner for Hamilton County USAR and serves as rescue team manager for Ohio Task Force 1, a FEMA USAR team. Grant has recently turned in his retirement papers and is prepping for his next challenge.

Josh Blum, Blue Card Program Manager is the co-host.

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 retired from Loveland Symmes in 2020 and now works for Blue Card as the program manager in all aspects of curriculum development and program delivery. Josh continues to work directly with departments throughout Southern Ohio assisting with training and fire department operations. Josh has developed and managed many fire service training programs throughout his career. He is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive Program

Contact Josh Blum at [email protected]

Contact John Vance at [email protected]

Production assistance by Katie Brunacini and Michelle Garrido Sutton 

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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 [email protected]

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 has also earned the professional designations of fire service chief executive officer through the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University and chief training officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Jeff is a graduate of the City of Houston’s Leadership Institute Program. He lives in Spring, Texas, with his wife, Tracy, and their daughters Savannah and Madigan.

We are also joined by Nick Brunacini. Contact Nick at [email protected]

Nick Brunacini is the owner of Blue Card and provides the strategic direction for Blue Card and B Shifter. 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, and in 2001, he was promoted to shift commander. He then spent the next five years developing and teaching the Blue Card curriculum at the PFD’s Command Training Center. His last assignment with the PFD was south shift commander; he retired from the department in 2009. Nick is the author of “B-Shifter—A Firefighter’s Memoir.” He also co-wrote “Command Safety". 

Hosted and produced by John Vance, you can contact him at [email protected]

Production assistance by Katie Brunacini and Michelle Garrido Sutton 

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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 [email protected] 

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 has also earned the professional designations of fire service chief executive officer through the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University and chief training officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Jeff is a graduate of the City of Houston’s Leadership Institute Program. He lives in Spring, Texas, with his wife, Tracy, and their daughters Savannah and Madigan.

We are also joined by Nick Brunacini. Contact Nick at [email protected]

Nick Brunacini is the owner of 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, and in 2001, he was promoted to shift commander. He then spent the next five years developing and teaching the Blue Card curriculum at the PFD’s Command Training Center. His last assignment with the PFD was south shift commander; he retired from the department in 2009. Nick is the author of “B-Shifter—A Firefighter’s Memoir.” He also co-wrote “Command Safety.” 

Hosted and produced by John Vance, [email protected]

Production assistance by Katie Brunacini and Michelle Garrido Sutton 

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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 service. After a long weekend of retirement, Terry served as the fire chief of the Oceanside (Calif.) Fire Department, where he worked for almost three years. Terry then moved to Texas, where he served as the chief of the Houston Fire Department for more than five years. Currently, Terry is the fire chief in Glendale, Ariz., where he was born and raised. Terry has traveled throughout the world teaching fire command. He has a master’s degree in education and attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Terry and his wife, Annette, live in Phoenix.

Nick Brunacini 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, and in 2001, he was promoted to shift commander. He then spent the next five years developing and teaching the Blue Card curriculum at the PFD’s Command Training Center. His last assignment with the PFD was south shift commander; he retired from the department in 2009. Nick is the author of “B-Shifter—A Firefighter’s Memoir.” He also co-wrote “Command Safety.”

Production assistance by Katie Bruancini, Michelle Garrido Sutton, Kyle Trumbly and Josh Blum.

Produced and edited by John Vance who you can reach at [email protected] 

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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 captured the close call on video, which has been widely shared for decades. His use of prescribed painkillers during his physical recovery triggered a downward spiral of addiction, life challenges, bad choices and eventual incarceration. Since his release in 2018, Griffin has dedicated his life to helping firefighters struggling with addiction. He volunteers with Phoenix Fire Fighters Local 493, speaks at firefighter conferences and has published articles that describe the lessons he has learned the hard way. Griffin currently works in customer service for Auto Zone and enjoys spending time with his wife, two children and two grandchildren (plus one on the way!). A lifetime football player and coach, Griffin helps coach his grandson’s high school football team.


Jeff Griffin can be reached at 623-694-5497 or email him at [email protected]


Video of the fall through the roof    https://youtu.be/UJS2xnwhe_M

This episode is co-hosted by Nick Brunacini, the owner and ringleader of B Shifter & Blue Card.

Resources:

Safe Call Now – 1-206-459-3020 A 24/7 help line staffed by first responders for first responders and their family members. They can assist with treatment options for responders who are suffering from mental health, substance abuse and other personal issues.

IAFF Members Recovery Center - 1-844-995-0772 For IAFF members and their families seeking help for PTSD, substance abuse and other behavioral issues.

Fire/EMS Helpline – 1-888-731-3473 Also known as Share The Load. A program run by the National Volunteer Fire Council. They have a help line, text based help service, and have also collected a list of many good resources for people looking for help and support.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 The national (USA) suicide hotline. Not first responder specific, but they can and will talk to anyone who needs help. We’ve been told by one of their founders they have a large number of first responders and veterans who volunteer.

Copline (Law Enforcement Only) – 1-800-267-5463 A confidential helpline for members of US law enforcement. Their website also has additional information on help and resources.

Frontline Helpline – 1-866-676-7500 Run by Frontline Responder Services. Offer 24/7 coverage with first responder call-takers.

This episode was produced & edited by John Vance, you can reach him at [email protected]


Production assistance from Katie Brunacini and Michelle Garrido Sutton

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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 retired from Loveland Symmes in 2020 and now works for Blue Card as the program manager in all aspects of curriculum development and program delivery. Josh continues to work directly with departments throughout Southern Ohio assisting with training and fire department operations. Josh has developed and managed many fire service training programs throughout his career. He is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive Program

Contact Josh Blum at [email protected] 

This episode is produced and edited by John Vance at [email protected]

Production assistance from Katie Brunacini

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“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 in December 2015. CERT has decided to continue the funding for the project because of the information provided in its first year.

Participation in this project is voluntary and confidential, department and individual names are not released or used in this project without their written permission from the Chief of the Department.

Go to www.projectmayday.net

This episode is hosted by John Vance at [email protected]
and co-hosted by Josh Blum at [email protected]

Production assistance from Katie Brunacini and Kyle Trumbly 

Part 2 of this discussion will be out on June 15, 2021

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B Shifter is the newest fire service podcast covering leadership, command, and other topics that are of interest to fire and emergency service personnel.