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This episode features National Fire Sprinkler Association President Shane Ray, Assistant Chief Scott Williams, Blue Card Program Director Josh Blum, and John Vance.

We break down why today’s mega warehouses and cold storage facilities create fireground problems that residential tactics cannot solve, especially when fires start on the roof or exterior and burn inward. We share field-proven steps that keep firefighters alive by supporting sprinkler systems, slowing the pace, and managing the incident like a strategic operation instead of a quick interior push. 
• why “big box” and “mega warehouse” are different hazards 
• how roof and exterior fires drive bad sprinkler narratives 
• the Ohio case study where training and patience prevent firefighter losses 
• building the “big four” before entry: FDC supply, attack team, roof report, on-deck crew 
• why sprinkler-controlled fires are not compatible with routine ventilation 
• reading the riser plate, fire pump, and alarm panel to measure fire growth 
• requesting sprinkler and alarm contractors plus the water utility early 
• what NFPA 13E and NFPA 1700 change in SOPs, preplans, and training 
• why codes, owners, and access decisions shape outcomes long before dispatch 

Links shared / talked about by Shane Ray:

NFPA Warehouse Fires Report: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/warehouse-structure-fires

NFPA Challenges In Storage facilities: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/fire-protection-research-foundation/projects-and-reports/identifying-challenges-to-fire-service-response-in-storage-facilities

Indiana Fire In Large Distribution Center: https://www.firehero.org/2026/01/14/plainfield-fire-territory-warehouse-fire/

The Blue Card Big Box Bulletin: https://conta.cc/3QpvT8u

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