Why Size-Up Matters

This episode is hosted by Erik Phillips, Steve Lester, Greg Timinsky and John Vance.

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This episode was recorded on August 5, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The B-Shifters explores the crucial importance of size-up from various perspectives on the fireground, recorded poolside in Daytona Beach during a Blue Card Train the Trainer in Volusia County, Florida.

• First-arriving officers must effectively communicate what they see through proper initial radio reports
• The 360° walk-around gives commanders complete information about all sides of a structure
• Size-up matters because it helps track position and function of all personnel on scene
• Standard Operating Procedure systems don't always account for the dynamic nature of each incident
• Critical fire ground factors must drive tactical decisions rather than rigid predetermined assignments
• First-in officers should think "size-up plus three" - considering the next three things needed to mitigate the situation
• CAN reports (Conditions, Actions, Needs) are essential for maintaining situational awareness throughout the incident
• Effective size-up leads to fires being extinguished faster with fewer resources
• Companies must communicate their arrival on scene for proper tracking and accountability
• "Accidental success" occurs when fires go well despite poor command procedures

Join us at the 2025 Blue Card Hazard Zone Conference in Sharonville, Ohio, September 29 through October 3rd. Register now at bshifter.com as many pre-conference workshops are already filling up.

Chapters

• 0:00 Podcast Introduction in Daytona Beach
• 2:46 2025 Blue Card Conference Preview
• 10:11 Why Size-Up Matters
• 15:25 Critical Factors and First-In Officer Role
• 22:47 The 360 Walkaround Importance
• 29:03 SOP Systems vs Critical Factor Evaluation
• 33:45 Size-Up and Risk Management Plan
• 42:01 Continuing Size-Up From IC2 Position
• 47:12 Closing Thoughts and Timeless Tactical Truth