B Shifter

Why Risk Management Matters

• Across The Street Productions • Season 5 • Episode 6

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This episode is hosted by Josh Blum, Chris Stewart,  and John Vance.

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This episode was recorded on August 13, 2025 in Orlando, Florida at Fire Rescue International.

The B-Shifter podcast explores the critical importance of risk management on the fireground and how it integrates with strategic decision-making for safer, more effective operations.

• Risk management follows Brunacini's risk management model: risk a lot to save lives, risk a little for property, risk nothing for what's already lost
• Effective risk assessment requires understanding critical fireground factors including building construction, fire behavior, and occupancy
• Risk perception changes as firefighters promote through the ranks, shifting from personal risk acceptance to responsibility for others
• Strategic decisions must be reevaluated throughout the incident as conditions change or new information becomes available
• Organizational culture around risk management must extend beyond emergency scenes to daily operations and training
• A systematic approach to command ensures consistent, safer operations compared to the "we've always done it this way" mindset
• Fire departments often implement better systems only after experiencing line-of-duty deaths instead of learning from others' experiences
• Continuous improvement requires honest assessment of all incidents, not just those with negative outcomes

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