Civilian victims have less time than ever before to be rescued by firefighters. Modern construction, contents, and fires create a razor-thin window of opportunity for crews to make a grab. In this episode of Command Show, hosts Anthony Kastros and Brian Brush welcome guest Captain Justin McWilliams of Clackamas (OR) Fire. They discuss the vital intersection of leadership, communication, and aggressive search and rescue tactics in modern firefighting. They spotlight the urgent need for chiefs to actively participate in training and incident command—not as passive observers but as dynamic orchestrators of lifesaving efforts.

Maximum coordination and minimal time to task are required. This does NOT mean more radio traffic, or centralized command. In fact, the opposite is true. A high-speed/low-drag operation begins from the top down, before the fire. Chiefs must train with their companies to ensure everyone is on the same page in order to maximize impact, anticipate and support needs.

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