Philip Nichols/CaptainRutherford County Fire and RescueApril 4, 2026 1800 hrsSingle story single family dwelling (1200 sq ft ranch)4 minutes from on scene to victim removed260-275Never let go of a conscious victimNever put your tool downSmoke drunk is a real thing, never trust a conscious victim. Don’t get complacent. A small fire with a decent amount of smoke make me think it would be an easy job and cause me to make some poor decisions.  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Philip Nichols/Captain Rutherford County Fire and Rescue April 4, 2026 1800 hrs Single story single family dwelling (1200 sq ft ranch) 4 minutes from on scene to victim removed 260-275 Never let go of a conscious victim Never put your tool down Smoke drunk is a real thing, never trust a conscious victim. Don’t get complacent. A small fire with a decent amount of smoke make me think it would be an easy job and cause me to make some poor decisions. Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Philip Nichols/CaptainRutherford County Fire and RescueApril 4, 2026 1800 hrsSingle story single family dwelling (1200 sq ft ranch)4 minutes from on scene to victim removed260-275Never let go of a conscious victimNever put your tool downSmoke drunk is a real thing, never trust a conscious victim.&nbsp;Don’t get complacent. A small fire with a decent amount of smoke make me think it would be an easy job and cause me to make some poor decisions.&nbsp; Grabspodcast@gmail.com

GRABS 191 - Rutherford County (TN) Fire and Rescue (4.4.26)

Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004)<ul><li>Grant speaks with John Lovato (BC, then FF) </li><li>2 Story Multi-Family</li><li>Multiple Units Arrive at the Same Time</li><li>First Vice Located by another crew on couch (deceased) </li><li>4-6 FF's went upstairs, child located in closet in laundry basket quickly.  </li><li>Viz @ knees</li><li>Quick one person removal</li><li>Discussion about how unorganized this felt (as a new FF) </li><li>Under 3 minutes arrival to removal </li></ul> Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004)Grant speaks with John Lovato (BC, then FF) 2 Story Multi-FamilyMultiple Units Arrive at the Same TimeFirst Vice Located by another crew on couch (deceased) 4-6 FF's went upstairs, child located in closet in laundry basket quickly. Viz @ kneesQuick one person removalDiscussion about how unorganized this felt (as a new FF) Under 3 minutes arrival to removal Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004)<ul><li>Grant speaks with John Lovato (BC, then FF)&nbsp;</li><li>2 Story Multi-Family</li><li>Multiple Units Arrive at the Same Time</li><li>First Vice Located by another crew on couch (deceased)&nbsp;</li><li>4-6 FF's went upstairs, child located in closet in laundry basket quickly. &nbsp;</li><li>Viz @ knees</li><li>Quick one person removal</li><li>Discussion about how unorganized this felt (as a new FF)&nbsp;</li><li>Under 3 minutes arrival to removal&nbsp;</li></ul> Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 190 Ft Myers, FL (10/2004)

Name: John Farrell Captain Truck 307 Department: Chatham County Fire Department Date: 4 12 2026 Building type: 3 story multi-family residual, lightweight wood-frame. Smoke and flames coming from the alpha side stair well extended to the Charlie side of the structure division 2 and 3.Reports of 5 victims 2 kids 3 adults Time of arrival: 4:02 4:04 Assisted and walked down the 24ft ladderPD video of kid drops:https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F1CQjFKZHjJ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871441996172%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BbrFWrhu4ImAXObZDppF7oRPBHEc4XtiXsj22vELc4M%3D&reserved=0 FD video of 3 ladder rescues:https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F1CkbNTapPb%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871442197993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0jhAEcpsT4IiSBqYPW9Jn9o42jdcbaZsK9bxrG9xQE%3D&reserved=0  3 takeaways: Nobody cares if it’s your first fire, be ready to preform. Physically and mentally Training matters we train to run on the fireground its about them not us SPEED with a PURPOSE We get to do this job be really good at it  Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Name: John Farrell Captain Truck 307 Department: Chatham County Fire Department Date: 4 12 2026 Building type: 3 story multi-family residual, lightweight wood-frame. Smoke and flames coming from the alpha side stair well extended to the Charlie side of the structure division 2 and 3. Reports of 5 victims 2 kids 3 adults Time of arrival: 4:02 4:04 Assisted and walked down the 24ft ladder PD video of kid drops: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F1CQjFKZHjJ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871441996172%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BbrFWrhu4ImAXObZDppF7oRPBHEc4XtiXsj22vELc4M%3D&reserved=0 FD video of 3 ladder rescues: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F1CkbNTapPb%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871442197993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=J0jhAEcpsT4IiSBqYPW9Jn9o42jdcbaZsK9bxrG9xQE%3D&reserved=0 3 takeaways: Nobody cares if it’s your first fire, be ready to preform. Physically and mentally Training matters we train to run on the fireground its about them not us SPEED with a PURPOSE We get to do this job be really good at it Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Name: John Farrell Captain Truck 307&nbsp;Department: Chatham County Fire Department Date: 4 12 2026&nbsp;Building type: 3 story multi-family residual, lightweight wood-frame. Smoke and flames coming from the alpha side stair well extended to the Charlie side of the structure division 2 and 3.Reports of 5 victims 2 kids 3 adults&nbsp;Time of arrival: 4:02 4:04 Assisted and walked down the 24ft ladderPD video of kid drops:https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F1CQjFKZHjJ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871441996172%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=BbrFWrhu4ImAXObZDppF7oRPBHEc4XtiXsj22vELc4M%3D&amp;reserved=0 FD video of 3 ladder rescues:https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fv%2F1CkbNTapPb%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbbfef9b1174a4e19ebb108deab992643%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639136871442197993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=J0jhAEcpsT4IiSBqYPW9Jn9o42jdcbaZsK9bxrG9xQE%3D&amp;reserved=0&nbsp; 3 takeaways:&nbsp;Nobody cares if it’s your first fire, be ready to preform. Physically and mentally&nbsp;Training matters we train to run on the fireground its about them not us SPEED with a PURPOSE&nbsp;We get to do this job be really good at it&nbsp; Grabspodcast@gmail.com

GRABS 192- Chatham County (GA) Fire Department (4.12.26)

- 2 victims rescues - Both survived - 1st due engine with a 1 min ETA - Known victims with known location - Search ahead of the hoseline (rescue mode) Grabspodcast@gmail.com

- 2 victims rescues - Both survived - 1st due engine with a 1 min ETA - Known victims with known location - Search ahead of the hoseline (rescue mode) Grabspodcast@gmail.com

- 2 victims rescues - Both survived - 1st due engine with a 1 min ETA - Known victims with known location - Search ahead of the hoseline (rescue mode) Grabspodcast@gmail.com

GRABS 193 - Carson City (NV) Fire Department (8.23.24)

Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016)<ul><li>Morgan Craver, Volunteer Firefighter</li><li>Columbia-Richland FD</li><li>During Hurricane Matthew </li><li>Phone call from BC, reporting tree on a house. </li><li>Rural area with Engine and Tender 2 on each </li><li>Tree split manufactured home in half with the home on fire. </li><li>Line pulled and fire knocked from outside</li><li>Lots of family members-ran up to report grandma inside. </li><li>Family showed where victim was (behind door, they couldn’t open) trapped behind locked door and tree. </li><li>Mule kick door open (a few tries) smoke at about 3’ duck below allowed him to see victim. </li><li>Backward drag under victim’s arms </li><li>250-300 lb victim </li><li>Engineer and family member assisted with removal. </li><li>< 5minutes </li><li>24 minutes until second arrival rig due to trees down. </li><li>Take-Aways  <ul><li>Develop a routine </li></ul></li><li> <ul><li>Plan for Audible when you’re far out from incoming companies </li></ul></li><li> </li></ul> Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016)Morgan Craver, Volunteer FirefighterColumbia-Richland FDDuring Hurricane Matthew Phone call from BC, reporting tree on a house. Rural area with Engine and Tender 2 on each Tree split manufactured home in half with the home on fire. Line pulled and fire knocked from outsideLots of family members-ran up to report grandma inside. Family showed where victim was (behind door, they couldn’t open) trapped behind locked door and tree. Mule kick door open (a few tries) smoke at about 3’ duck below allowed him to see victim. Backward drag under victim’s arms 250-300 lb victim Engineer and family member assisted with removal. 24 minutes until second arrival rig due to trees down. Take-Aways Develop a routine Plan for Audible when you’re far out from incoming companies Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016)<ul><li>Morgan Craver, Volunteer Firefighter</li><li>Columbia-Richland FD</li><li>During Hurricane Matthew&nbsp;</li><li>Phone call from BC, reporting tree on a house.&nbsp;</li><li>Rural area with Engine and Tender 2 on each&nbsp;</li><li>Tree split manufactured home in half with the home on fire.&nbsp;</li><li>Line pulled and fire knocked from outside</li><li>Lots of family members-ran up to report grandma inside.&nbsp;</li><li>Family showed where victim was (behind door, they couldn’t open) trapped behind locked door and tree.&nbsp;</li><li>Mule kick door open (a few tries) smoke at about 3’ duck below allowed him to see victim.&nbsp;</li><li>Backward drag under victim’s arms&nbsp;</li><li>250-300 lb victim&nbsp;</li><li>Engineer and family member assisted with removal.&nbsp;</li><li>&lt; 5minutes&nbsp;</li><li>24 minutes until second arrival rig due to trees down.&nbsp;</li><li>Take-Aways &nbsp;<ul><li>Develop a routine&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li> <ul><li>Plan for Audible when you’re far out from incoming companies&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li> </li></ul> Grabspodcast@gmail.com

Grabs 175 Columbia, SC (October 8, 2016)

Grant speaks with Michael Dozier about a grab made in Loris, SC in September of 2013.

Grant speaks with Michael Dozier about a grab made in Loris, SC in September of 2013.

Grant speaks with Michael Dozier about a grab made in Loris, SC in September of 2013.

Grabs 32: Loris, SC (2013)

Grant speaks with Riley Wells about a grab made in Fairview, KS on 4/16/2020

Grant speaks with Riley Wells about a grab made in Fairview, KS on 4/16/2020

Grant speaks with Riley Wells about a grab made in Fairview, KS on 4/16/2020

Grabs 31:  Fairview, KS (2020)

Grant, Justin and Nick talk about the Grabs Podcast so far and Firefighter Rescue Survey.

Grabs 30:  Grant, Justin and Nick

Justin speaks with Terry Robinson about a grab made in Tupelo, MS on 2/15/2017

Grabs 29:  Tupelo, MS 2017

Grant talks with Eric Wheaton about a grab made by his crew in Winter Park, FL on 6/8/2012

Grabs 28:  Winter Park, FL 2012

Nick speaks with Ryan Fitzgerald about a VES grab he made with his crew in Mankato, MN.

Grabs 27: Mankato, MN

Grant talks with Bryce Beverage about a grab his crew made on Dec 30, 2017 in Sacramento, Ca.  (Sacramento Metro Fire District)

Grant talks with Bryce Beverage about a grab his crew made on Dec 30, 2017 in Sacramento, Ca. (Sacramento Metro Fire District)

Grabs 26:  Sacramento County, CA  2017

Justin speaks with James Barlow and Greg Chappell about a grab made in Clinton MS Feb 4, 2019.  This is a unique interview because you get two perspectives.

Justin speaks with James Barlow and Greg Chappell about a grab made in Clinton MS Feb 4, 2019. This is a unique interview because you get two perspectives.

Grabs 25: Clinton, MS

Grant speaks with Scott Ketchum from Winter Park, FL about a fatal fire that occurred in Feb 2018.  While the Grab wasn’t able to be made in this case, there are always lessons to learn.

Grant speaks with Scott Ketchum from Winter Park, FL about a fatal fire that occurred in Feb 2018. While the Grab wasn’t able to be made in this case, there are always lessons to learn.

Grabs 24:  Winter Park, FL 2018

Grant speaks with Shawn Hayes from Wichita Fire in KS about a grab made on 2/2/2020

Grabs 23:  Wichita, KS

GRABS Podcast: Grant Schwalbe, Justin McWilliams, Nick Ledin, Jeffrey Bryant and others bring you the stories of the victim rescues being made all over the country. &nbsp;

History

GRABS Podcast: Grant Schwalbe, Justin McWilliams, Nick Ledin, Jeffrey Bryant and others bring you the stories of the victim rescues being made all over the country.  

Share GRABS Podcast

Sign up to save your podcasts

GRABS Podcast

GRABS Podcast episodes

About GRABS Podcast

Best of GRABS Podcast

More shows like GRABS Podcast

Fire Engineering Podcast

Jocko Podcast

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC

Multiple Calls Podcast

National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

The Shawn Ryan Show

Gettin' Salty Experience Firefighter Podcast

The Weekly Scrap, Firefighter Podcast

FireNuggets Podcast

The Pipeman

Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

Undisclosed Agents Firefighter Podcast

Student Of The Game Fire Podcast

The Relentless Rejects Podcast