B Shifter

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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, 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.”

Contact Nick Brunacini at [email protected]

Josh Blum, Blue Card Program Manager and 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 Assistant, Katie Brunacini

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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 Tactical Truth's and discuss it.

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, 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.”

Contact Nick Brunacini at [email protected]

Josh Blum, Blue Card Program Manager and 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 Assistant, Katie Brunacini

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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 transfer from the Las Vegas, Nevada FD.

At the end of the episode we draw a card from Bruno's Timeless Tactical Truth's and discuss it.

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, 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.”

Contact Nick Brunacini at [email protected]

Josh Blum, Blue Card Program Manager and 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 Assistant, Katie Brunacini

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Four years ago today, we lost our leader and friend, Alan Brunacini. 

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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 [email protected]

Contact Josh Blum at [email protected]

Contact John Vance at [email protected]

Associate Producer Katie Brunacini 

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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