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Fire command and leadership conversations for B Shifters and beyond (all shifts welcome)!
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Bonus B Shifter: Radio Traffic From Cobb County (GA) with a Rescue
Join us as John Vance and Josh Blum reviews the intricacies of Cobb County Fire Ground Operations using Blue Card. Special thanks to Cobb County for sharing their invaluable experiences, providing practical insights for Blue Card users and anyone interested in fireground incident management.
This episode features Josh Blum and John Vance.
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This episode was recorded remotely on June 3, 2024.
Hey, welcome to B Shifter. You've got John Vance, josh Bloom with you and today we have some bonus audio from Cobb County, georgia. This is another. You know these guys do a bang up job with the blue card and applying the system. Josh, what are we going to listen to today? And we're just going to play this entire radio traffic for you in its entirety so you can get a good idea of what happened in the first 20 minutes of command functions on this fire ground.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So again back to Cobb County. We've used some of their stuff before. They do a great job utilizing the system. It always sounds, their communications always sound good. Chief Lester there with his three C's, they do well with that. They do quite a bit of work.
Speaker 2:So using a system and having the experience, I think that all lines up. So in this case, all lines up. So in this case, house on fire, they get a pretty big response, you know in their system as far as resource goes. So that's not really a challenge. And they understand. You know time and response and how long it takes and when people are going to get there in order of arrival and all those things. So a good front end size up, some good reports, good command transfer, good assignments, task location and objective. You know all of those things that make the blue card system what they are and using the eight functions of command throughout the entire process. So that is a huge part of it. So it only sounds again the way that it sounds because they're using a system and that people are trained to use the system.
Speaker 2:So in this instance they run into a few challenges with hose deployment as far as getting to the seat of the fire, exact location of the fire. This wasn't one of those fires you go to where it was obvious exactly what exactly was going on or where exactly the fire was. So we hear some communication, some priority traffic pieces to make sure that all the critical factors are being addressed, which is really good, and then we hear a priority traffic when they find a victim. So we'll listen to that and hear how that goes. So, once again, you know thanks, cobb County, for everything that you do, the work that you do and how you use and utilize. You know the system day in and day out within your organization, so we can listen to it, john.
Speaker 3:All units cleaning and response Engine 18 to 24, engine 23,. Truck 13,. Rescue 24, battalion 5, battalion 4, cleaning and response to a possible house fire at 610 Hickory Lane. 610 Hickory Lane. The call-in provides the house is on fire. There are two dogs inside the residence, unknown where they are.
Speaker 4:Battalion 5, all incoming units. Looks like the house is going to be located in a cul-de-sac. We do have a hydrant in the cul-de-sac. First two should have their own water supply Battalion 5 to radio upgrade responding units.
Speaker 3:Battalion 5, upgrade responding units.
Speaker 4:Right here, Truck 13 is on scene. Looks like we've got a two-story on a basement. We've got smoke showing from the attic. 13 will be we'll have command engine 13. You'll be fire attack. We're going to be in the offensive strategy on the Alpha side.
Speaker 3:Clear One seeing two story on the basement Smoke from the attic Engine 13 fire attack Battalion 5 to radio Balance the alarm Clear to balance the alarm Engine.
Speaker 4:18 is on signal 4.
Speaker 5:Command engine 18.
Speaker 4:18, command go ahead. Assist 13 with water supply Engine 13,. Stretch your fire attack line to the alpha side door. Alpha side door 18,. Clear 613 with water supply Attack. Bumper fire attack. Are you ready for water Charging? Engine 24 is on the scene with 3. Rescue 24 is level 1 with 2. Command all you. Rescue 24 is level 1. What's 2? Command all units on the air Command all units. Okay, walk around. Complete Fire appears. It's on the first floor. We got a fire attack line entering on the opposite side. We got reports of a person possibly trapped. We're all in rescue at this time. Radio Battalion 5 is on the scene. Battalion 5 is command.
Speaker 3:Go ahead.
Speaker 4:Okay, just a quick rundown. Engine 13 is doing fire attack entering the opposite side with one hand line. Truck 13 is all in search and rescue, engine 18 performing water supply. If that's correct, give me a can report. That's affirmative. We got neutral plane halfway down on the front door Fire attack searching for the fire. Right now Truck 13 is all in rescue. I'm clear, I'm taking over from here. Break Battalion fighter radio.
Speaker 4:I'll be assuming old Hickory command we're going to abandon the offensive strategy. We've got one line in operation. Primary search is underway. Diamond Break Command to rescue 24. Rescue 24, go ahead. Rescue 24, send medical group out the side. Be prepared to receive a victim. Command to Engine 24. Engine 24, go ahead. Out the side. Engine 24 to Command, Stage 1. Stage 3. Engine 24 to Command. Can you repeat that assignment On deck Out the side. Engine 24 is clear. Out the side. Agent 24, it's clear. Opposite side.
Speaker 5:Attack Comforter to Command. We have permanent water.
Speaker 4:Command is clear. You have permanent water. 18 to Command. We're finished with establishing water supply. We're ready for assignment. Okay, let's go ahead and stretch a second cross, lay off of Agent 13 as a backup line. Let's have it at the opposite side, ready to go. Engine clear Second line.
Speaker 5:Command to Engine 13,. Can report Engine 13,. We're inside the opposite side door. We're attempting to locate the fire on the first floor. We have our line but it's a little short. You got a second line coming to the front door.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's affirmative. We're stretching the second line now. We'll go ahead and extend it if we need to. Just let us know, Commander radio Engine 23 is level one, Engine 23,. You're level one. Battalion four level one.
Speaker 5:Maintain four level one Truck 13 with priority traffic.
Speaker 4:Maintain truck 13,. Go ahead with your priority traffic. We got low visibility smoke's all over the pool on the first floor. I need somebody to force a door in the trolley side basement to check the basement. On the walk around there was no smoke. Okay, I'm clear. Agent 24, that's going to be you. Report to the Charlie side. Force the door, check the basement for extension. Engine 24 is clear. Charlie side force the door, check the basement. Command all units. Battalion 4 is going to be assuming Alpha Division. He will have Engine 13, truck 13, and Engine 18 working for him.
Speaker 5:Engine 13 to command with priority traffic. Engine 13, go ahead Engine 13 to Command with priority traffic. Engine 13, go ahead. Fire has been located on the Bravo side near the Bravo Charlie corner.
Speaker 4:If there's another door on that side or you could enter in the garage, we could pincer it. Okay, I'm clear. I've assigned Alpha Division. He's working on that now. Command to Engine 23. 18 to Command. Do you want us to relocate our line to?
Speaker 5:the Bravo side.
Speaker 4:If you're working for Alpha Division, coordinate with him. Let's find out where the seat of the fire is. Let's move your line to that location. Work with Alpha Division, engine 23,. Go ahead.
Speaker 5:Alpha side, alpha Division, command, alpha, go ahead.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 5:I'm positioning engine 18,. Bravo, charlie Corner.
Speaker 4:I've done face-to-face with truck 13. Engine 13 is stretched short, so we're repositioning the second line to enter the garage. Bravo, Charlie Corner, to make a hit fire.
Speaker 3:Okay, I'm clear.
Speaker 5:I had a radio Come in go ahead Alpha Division to Command.
Speaker 4:In the last unit you broke up. Go ahead. This is Alpha Division. We're going to need a bulk load off the truck to get to this. Okay, I'm clear. Do you need another unit to stretch that for you? 10-4. Okay, great Command to Engine 23,. That's going to be you. Let's report to Alpha Division and stretch the bulk load off of Engine 13.
Speaker 5:We're clear Stretching the bulk load of engine 13. We're clear to stretch in the bulk load reporting to Alpha Charge the red line.
Speaker 4:Red line's getting charged. Command to radio.
Speaker 3:Command go ahead.
Speaker 4:I have a Metro unit route.
Speaker 3:The car was sent to Metro. I'll see what the EC is 17's on the scene with the floor Engine 24,.
Speaker 4:this is the man with priority traffic.
Speaker 5:Man, Engine 24,. Man with the priority traffic Agent 24, go with your priority traffic. Basement is clear. We have found one dog. Okay, I'm clear.
Speaker 4:The basement is clear and you have found one dog. Are you bringing them out? The opposite side? That's negative.
Speaker 5:We're coming out the Charlie side.
Speaker 4:Let's bring him around the alpha to the rescue group.
Speaker 5:Agent 24 is clear. We're coming out the opposite side, truck 13,. What's that up there?
Speaker 4:Command to Truck 13,. Go with your traffic Primary search is complete on the second floor Nothing found. We're moving to the first floor. Command is clear. Primary search complete on the second floor you move into the first.
Speaker 3:Radio to command Ten minute benchmark.
Speaker 4:Radio uh command. Clear radio 10 minute mission Engine 17 command. We're on C with 4. Clear 17,. Just remain level 1 for now.
Speaker 5:Thank you 24 to command status change.
Speaker 4:Command to last unit. What status change?
Speaker 5:Engine 24, we got the dog on the alpha side. We're ready for another assignment.
Speaker 4:Okay, I'm clear. 24, just recycle blown deck alpha side.
Speaker 5:Truck 13, command priority traffic Go ahead Truck 13, command priority traffic Go ahead Truck 13.
Speaker 4:Located in the residence, first floor bedroom, b-side B-bill. Do you advise? You've located a victim.
Speaker 5:That's correct.
Speaker 4:He's not aware of what's going on. Fine, there's limited smoke in his bedroom, sheltering in place for the moment. I'm clear, you've located a resident and you're sheltering in place for the moment. I'll clear you. You've located a resident and you're sheltering in place for the moment. Great Command to Medical Group Rescue 24, clear on that traffic. Be prepared to receive resident. Rescue 24 is clear, ready to receive Commander radio. I need a status on that ambulance and an ETA.
Speaker 3:Mission advised. The call is pending.
Speaker 4:Battalion 4 to Engine 13. Command to Truck 13.
Speaker 5:Truck 13, go ahead.
Speaker 4:Okay, are you guys going to extricate the victim or are you going to continue to shelter in place? Pd's want to know. Apparently we've got a Sigma 24 issue. We're extricating now. Also, bring in two more dogs Command's clear, You're coming out with him now and two more dogs House of Division, Engine 18. Engine 24 to Command. We're ready for assignment Engine command. We're ready for Simon. We're 24. You're ready for Simon?
Speaker 5:Truck 13, command.
Speaker 4:Command truck 13. Hi, we've exited with the victim and we've got two more dogs on the opposite side. Truck 13 is all out, all out of the structure. Okay, can we give an? All clear? That's affirmative. We just didn't search the basement. Okay, you have't search the basement, okay you got 24 covered at the basement.
Speaker 3:Great Commander Radio. We have an all clear on the structure 10-4, all clear on the structure Alpha Division.
Speaker 4:To Command Alpha Division I can use engine 24. Send it up to you. You clear 24?.
Speaker 5:Engine 24 is clear, going to Alpha 5.
Speaker 4:Man, it's up. 13. Just recycle Going on deck Alpha 10 clear. Going to the opposite side Engine 13, just recycle Going on deck off Councilor.
Speaker 2:Command to.
Speaker 4:Air 18. I'll see you now. You got rehab on the opposite side. 11 radio Frequency.
Speaker 3:Radio to command.
Speaker 4:Command radio.
Speaker 3:Metro is coming from Paulson County about 13 to 14 minutes out.
Speaker 4:Okay, thank you. Squad 7, level 1 to 4. Clear, Squad 7,. You're level 1.
Speaker 5:Engine 18 to Alpha Division.
Speaker 4:Alpha Division go ahead, We've got a knockdown in the kitchen and the adjacent laundry room.
Speaker 5:We need someone above the kitchen to check. For extension. We've got some heat in the wall.
Speaker 4:We have a crew above you on the second floor and now we'll get the crew to check the garage. Alpha Division to Command Clear. Alpha Alpha 50, somebody Break Command to Engine 17,. That's going to be you Report to Alpha Division. Alpha side Truck 13 to Alpha Division. We checked the garage it's clear 17,. Clear Alpha side garage Command to rescue 24. Rescue 24, go ahead. Are we going to need transport?
Speaker 5:We're figuring that out right now give me just a moment.
Speaker 4:Okay, just know we've got an extended ETA.
Speaker 4:I'll be there. Alpha Division Command and Alpha Division. Okay, we've got the bulk of the fire knocked down in the kitchen and laundry room. What we have is fire in some hidden spaces in the wall. Alpha Garage there's a four-car garage on the Bravo side. I can see some brown smoke in this Alpha Bravo garage. That's what we're dealing with right now. I really need a crew up here to access some of this stuff, maybe even from the exterior. We have some quarter-light conditions in the garage area. Okay, I'm clear. Break Command to Squad 7. Go ahead. Yeah, report to Alpha Division on the Alpha side. They'll be doing some overhaul on the Alpha side of the garage. Copy that Command. Alpha Division. Go ahead. Yeah, just a quick rundown. I'm currently showing Engine 24, engine 17, engine 23, and Squad 7 working for you. Is that correct? I haven't seen Squad 7 yet. The rest is correct. Yeah, they're on their way to you. Truck 13 command. We're ready to go with new bottles. Okay, I'm cleared to squad with that copy. Go with your priority traffic. I'm just exiting the structure.
Speaker 5:Low alarm runoff.
Speaker 4:Okay, you broke up on your priority traffic. Say again Division Alpha, the command Command, division Alpha. I'm face to face with engine 24. I'm face-to-face with Engine 24. They had multiple low-air alarms so they exited the structure. I'm going to replace him with Squad 7. They have high-heat signatures in that alpha wall where we're seeing hot moving smoke in hidden areas. Okay, I'll clear on all that. Alpha fusion Looks like we've got some crews finishing recycling so we'll have some more mobile on deck here shortly 18 to alpha division.
Speaker 4:Alpha division go ahead. Hey, we need to come on out and recycle Received when you come out. The Bravo Alpha Division go ahead. We need to come on out and recycle Receive. When you come out to the Bravo side, meet with Engineer Jones, brief him. He'll be replacing you on the red line. Therefore, alpha Division Command Command to Alpha go ahead. I know this is late in the game, but I just realized the back deck has no decking. I repeat, no decking on the back deck, so all crews should not exit any charlie-side door for emergency egress. There is no decking on the back deck, okay.
Speaker 2:Command Clear, is that like under renovation.
Speaker 4:no decking. Yes, clear Command to all units operating on the fire ground do not exit any door on the Charlie side. Don't exit any door on the Charlie side. There is no decking on the back deck.
Speaker 5:Engine 13 to attack pumper, engine 13,. We're piloting traffic Attack pumper to the last unit. Can you repeat please? This is engine 13 to the attack pumper. We're on the yellow crossway, the first one that was pulled, and our pressure's very well. I don't think there's any kinks in it. Can you check that pressure?
Speaker 4:Simple. We're looking at it right now. It looks like you're setting a good pressure right now. I'll check for some kinks. Command to Rescue 24, Alpha or Rescue 24 Medical Group, Rescue 24,. You're probably going to Cobb Hospital. Yes, we're going to Cobb Hospital. Alpha, clear Alpha Division Command gas is off. That's clear. Alpha gas is off, Can?
Speaker 2:you get a power cut.
Speaker 4:In the morning I've been looking for the meter and we haven't been able to locate it. Attack Humberton Engine 13,. How's your water now?
Speaker 5:Engine 13, attack Humberton water's good.
Speaker 4:Rescue 24 to command priority traffic. Command to Rescue 24, go ahead, priority traffic. We're sending a medic in with an ambulance for Rescue 24. He'll be down to one. Okay, I'll clear on that. Yeah, captain Campbell advised me. He said he's going to pick you up. Bring him back to the scene. Truck 13 to command Truck 13. I just want to advise you that we've split crews. I got Truck 13 to Alpha. On Truck 13, charlie's entering the basement on the Bravo side to look for the power, and Bravo Delta on Truck 13, charlie's entering the basement on the Bravo side to look for the power, and Bravo Delta, truck 13 are on the Alpha side with fans. Okay, I'm clear, truck 13. You just report directly to me instead of Alpha Division and do whatever you need.
Speaker 5:Truck 13 is clear. Alpha Division to Alpha Division, alpha Division.
Speaker 4:I need to come out for a recycle. Reese, you'll be exiting Bravo's side to recycle.
Speaker 1:Wow, great radio traffic there from Cobb County. Josh, your thoughts on what we just listened to.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So again, you know the incident goes how it starts. So good, size up. You know some good front-end information, good assignments, using the order, model, task location and objective of assignments, the battalion getting there, you know pretty good command transfer, as far as you know what's going on, what's the location of units. And then you know, we hear in there, we hear priority traffic from a company inside and referenced the visibility inside the building. And then they say you know, let's make sure we check this basement again.
Speaker 2:Though they had done a three, 60 and it was clear something just wasn't lining up Right. So it was a priority traffic piece back to command to make sure you know what, what was really going on here throughout, throughout some of the, some of theissions we heard, you know where the line was going. They needed to redeploy so they could get a line to the seat of the fire. So some good communications there of how that was going to happen and who was doing what. Again back to the task, location and objective. And then we end up hearing priority traffic from a company who found a victim. So, unlike a lot of incidents that we hear, so the company finds a victim, they're in a space that was where they could shelter, where they weren't going to take them back out into the hazard zone. It wasn't like imminent that they, you know, drag them out, the building's going to fall down, or that they, you know, take them right out of a window. So the company gave priority traffic to command that they'd found the victim, that they were sheltered in place. So you know, that was just another good communications piece. So again it comes back to the thinking part of it. Right, so they weren't crawling in the zero smoke or zero visibility environment, come upon a victim and that they're going to take them right out because they're going to remove them from the hazard.
Speaker 2:In this case the victim was sheltered from the hazard at that point and they had a little time to think about and consider what exactly are we going to do with the victim while the other companies were working on and getting fire control. So both those operations were happening, you know, simultaneously and conditions, obviously based on what the company said, didn't dictate open the door back up and take them back out. The way we came, it came down. So we found somebody. Let's keep this door shut, we'll stay here with them and then we'll figure out exactly what we're going to do from that point. So none of those things happen by accident. It's one of those things that you know during a, during a drill or an exercise, you know those things get communicated. If we find a victim and they're in a place that is less hazardous than it is right outside the door, we got a minute, what are we going to do with them? Or in some cases you find a victim in a hallway and I can take them into an area that is a closed door right, and I can shelter there because it's a less hazardous space than taking them all the way out through. So when we talk about the incident priorities in this case again in Cobb County, companies putting water on the fire and companies doing search they find a victim. They end up sheltering in place right there.
Speaker 2:Good communications between the companies in command. Everybody knew what was going on. So yeah, just another great utilization of the system. And again it sounds the way that it sounds because they utilize the systems and the eight functions of command and go through that strategic decision-making model and have a plan and probably a plan B and a plan C. Everybody's operating on the same incident action plan. And then again, command function five is just where it's all communicated. They were still going through those seven other functions continuously and then, like I said, using communications to act out to everybody what was really going on in the fire ground, so that everybody was on the same page.
Speaker 1:We want to thank Cobb County for sending that in and again, if you are interested in sharing your radio traffic with us, we would love to get it and share it with our blue card users so people hear you applying your blue card system locally to your department. A lot of things don't change, but your jurisdiction certainly does and those variable critical factors, especially when you have a well-involved fire and then you also have some priority traffic with the victim. It's good to hear how the system works with that. Thanks a lot, Josh, for sharing that today. Thanks, John, and thanks everyone for listening to B-Shifter.