During this episode of Mayday Monday, Baltimore County’s Scott Ebbert, Ken Hughes, and Michael Dennis share firsthand accounts and insights from a harrowing 2023 commercial fire incident. The dialogue explores critical challenges, including delayed dispatch due to antiquated systems, the complexities of managing large battalions with minimal chief officers, and the evolving role of thermal imaging cameras on the fireground.

 

Dennis recounts his experience getting lost inside the structure, the vital role of buddy breathing, and the swift intervention by rapid intervention teams, which all underscore the importance of training, communication, and risk assessment. Hughes and Ebbert outline a comprehensive after-action review leading to 25 positive recommendations, from improved safety officer deployment to advanced firefighter rescue training. This episode also highlights the department’s commitment to mental health support and ongoing operational reforms.