BShifter

Safety Is A System x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

SO. CALIFORNIA HAZMAT INCIDENT SITUATION REPORT SUMMARY DOCUMENT firefighterclosecalls.com/so-calif-haz-m… #hazmat #firefighter #emergency #evacuation

A huge thank you to Cottage Grove, Minnesota Fire Department for hosting another two day Blue Card MAYDAY Management Workshop this week. Over two days, firefighters and command officers worked through MAYDAY prevention, managing firefighter rescue operations, strategic decision-making, and command simulations designed to improve firefighter survival and hazard-zone management. Departments represented included: • Burnsville Fire Department • Chaska Fire Department • Roseville Fire Department • Cottage Grove Fire Department • Inver Grove Heights Fire Department • Lake Johanna Fire Department • MSP Airport Fire Department • Maplewood Fire Department • Minnetonka Fire Department • Rogers Fire Department • Saint Paul Fire Department • Savage Fire Department • Shakopee Fire Department • Mdewakanton Public Safety • South Metro Fire Department • St. Paul Park Fire Department • St. Cloud Fire Department • St. Louis Park Fire Department • Vadnais Heights Fire Department Thank you to everyone who attended and invested in improving MAYDAY management and command performance. View upcoming Blue Card Workshops & events here: Blue Card Events & Workshops: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Wrapping up a strong two days in Hall County, Georgia at the Blue Card Big Box Workshop. Day 1 featured Shane Ray from the National Fire Sprinkler Association discussing modern fire protection systems and how the fire department interfaces with these systems during big box incidents. Day 2 focused on practical application through Big Box command simulations designed to reinforce strategic decision-making and hazard-zone management in large commercial occupancies. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to an outstanding workshop experience. @chiefrays @NFSAorg

Blue Card Train-the-Trainer is coming to Portsmouth, New Hampshire June 8–12 — and there are still a few seats remaining. This five-day instructor development program is designed to certify department trainers to deliver the Blue Card Incident Command Training and Certification Program using a standardized, performance-based command system built on more than 40 years of fireground command training and refinement. Instructor Certification Package includes: • Complete Blue Card training modules and instructional materials • Instructor guides and tactical templates • Residential, commercial, strip mall, and big box simulations • After Action Review (AAR) System access • Hazardous Materials IC curriculum and simulations • 16 instructional MP4 videos covering key command topics including MAYDAY, On-Deck, Recycle, 3 Deep, and more Interested in building a standardized command system focused on firefighter safety and strategic decision-making? Secure your seat today. bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the first Blue Card Mayday Management Workshop in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. We appreciate the commitment to improving firefighter safety, command performance, and MAYDAY management inside the hazard zone. We trained with leaders from Cottage Grove Fire Department, Saint Paul Fire Department, Oakdale Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, North Saint Paul Fire, Maplewood Fire Department, Hastings Fire Department, Chanhassen Fire Department, and Lake Elmo Fire Department. Interested in sharpening your command and MAYDAY management skills? Check out upcoming Blue Card workshops here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Today, @NFSAorg President Shane Ray is kicking off the Blue Card Big Box Workshop in Hall County, Georgia. Over the next two days, students will take a deep dive into the challenges of commanding fires in modern large commercial and warehouse occupancies, including risk-based decision making, built-in fire protection systems, strategic command functions, and real-world case studies from across North America. Big box fires continue to challenge the modern fire service — and this workshop is designed to give incident commanders the tools and decision-making framework needed to manage these high-risk incidents safely and effectively. Interested in bringing a Blue Card Big Box Workshop to your region or attending an upcoming session? Learn more here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

This week’s Blue Card Simulation of the Week tackles one of the most dangerous incidents in the fire service: natural gas emergencies. NG Simulation #1 challenges the IC to manage a rapidly escalating gas leak inside a single-family dwelling that quickly transitions from an offensive investigation to a defensive operation with a 25-home evacuation after crews encounter a 10% LEL reading. This simulation reinforces strategic transitions, natural gas SOPs, evacuation decision-making, and risk management during low-frequency/high-consequence incidents. Log in and check it out.

Today is Day 2 of two Blue Card Mayday Management Workshops in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Over the past two days, leaders from Cottage Grove Fire Department, Saint Paul Fire Department, Oakdale Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, North Saint Paul Fire, Maplewood Fire Department, Hastings Fire Department, Chanhassen Fire Department, and Lake Elmo Fire Department have been taking a deep dive into why MAYDAYs happen, how we prevent them, and when they do occur—how we manage them effectively inside the hazard zone. Hey Upper Midwest — we’re bringing Blue Card Mayday Management to Fargo, North Dakota June 2-3. Come sharpen your command and MAYDAY management skills with us. Learn more here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx,

Today we wrap up the Blue Card ARFF Train-the-Trainer at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. This week, leaders responsible for protecting our nation’s military infrastructure, aircraft operations, and personnel worked through Blue Card command principles specifically adapted for the ARFF environment. Through simulations, command performance, and strategic decision-making exercises, students strengthened the systems needed to manage high-risk, high-consequence incidents safely and effectively. Interested in bringing Blue Card to your ARFF operation? Join us for the next Blue Card ARFF Instructor Class Aug. 25–27 at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Day two of the Blue Card ARFF Train-the-Trainer at Joint Base San Antonio. Blue Card is proud to work alongside the men and women charged with protecting our nation’s military infrastructure, personnel, and aircraft operations. These leaders are applying Blue Card command principles to the unique challenges of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting operations through simulations, command performance, and strategic decision-making. Interested in bringing Blue Card to your ARFF operation? Join us for the next Blue Card ARFF Instructor Class Aug. 25–27 at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Today kicks off Session 1 of the Blue Card Mayday Management Workshop in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Over the next two days, leaders from Cottage Grove Fire Department, Saint Paul Fire Department, Oakdale Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, North Saint Paul Fire, Maplewood Fire Department, Hastings Fire Department, Chanhassen Fire Department, and Lake Elmo Fire Department will take a deep dive into why MAYDAYs happen, how we prevent them, and when they do occur—how we manage them effectively inside the hazard zone. Interested in sharpening your command and MAYDAY management skills? Check out upcoming Blue Card workshops here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

🚨 NOW OPEN! 🚨 The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program has helped fund command training programs across the country for more than a decade — and we can help your department build a strong, competitive narrative for your application. 📍 Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 🔥 AFG Grant Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): grants.gov/search-results… If your department is considering funding command training through AFG, reach out to Josh for assistance with grant planning and narrative development. 📧 josh@bshifter.com

Fall Dates Announced 🚨 Train at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix — the home of modern hazard-zone management. The next round of Blue Card Instructor / Train-the-Trainer courses is officially on the schedule, and seats are expected to fill quickly. 📅 Upcoming 2026 Phoenix Dates: • September 14–18 • October 5–9 • November 9–13 • December 7–11 This intensive five-day program is built for departments ready to certify their incident commanders and bring a proven command system back home. Spots are limited. View the full 2026 schedule & claim your seat: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Another outstanding week of command training wrapped up in Worcester, Massachusetts, as our Blue Card Lead Instructors completed the second back-to-back Critical Thinking & Strategic Decision Making Workshop hosted by Worcester Fire Department. Over two intensive days, students worked through the Functions of Command, strategic decision-making, and the application of modern fire service research to real-world fireground operations. The goal is simple: create a trainable, repeatable command process that improves firefighter safety and reduces the risk of serious injury or LODDs in rapidly changing conditions. Thank you to Worcester FD for their continued commitment to professional command training and hazard-zone management. Find an upcoming workshop near you: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Wrapping up an outstanding week of Blue Card Train-the-Trainer instruction at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Five intensive days focused on command performance, hazard-zone management, simulations, and strategic decision-making—all centered around a standardized command system designed to improve firefighter safety and incident outcomes. Blue Card is proud to work with the fire departments charged with protecting our nation’s military infrastructure, service members, families, and critical assets. Find upcoming Blue Card courses and workshops here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Day 5 at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix marks another outstanding week of Blue Card Train-the-Trainer instruction and certification. This week we are proud to certify new Blue Card instructors from: • Pine Top Fire District (AZ) • Fort Mojave Fire Department (AZ) • South Davis Metro Fire Department (UT) • Marysville Fire District (WA) We were also fortunate to have members from Rio Verde (AZ) participate throughout the week. Five days of command training, simulations, critical thinking, and hazard-zone management—all built around a standardized command system designed to improve firefighter safety and command performance. The next Blue Card Train-the-Trainer at the AVB Command Training Center in Phoenix begins this September. Register here: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Blue Card Tactical Takeaway: A command transfer should make the incident stronger — not more confusing. Strong command transfers maintain continuity, accountability, and tactical momentum. Learn more about Blue Card command training: bluecardtraining.com

This week our Blue Card® Lead Instructors are in Worcester delivering back-to-back two-day Critical Thinking & Strategic Decision Making Workshops hosted by Worcester Fire Department. This workshop is designed to reinforce the Functions of Command while developing a trainable, repeatable decision-making process for the modern fireground. Built on proven incident command principles, modern fire service research, and a transparent decision-making standard, the program helps reduce the risk of serious injury or LODDs for firefighters operating in rapidly changing conditions. A huge thank you to Worcester FD for hosting another outstanding week of command training. Find a Blue Card workshop near you: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx

Day 4 of the Blue Card® Train-the-Trainer hosted by St. Catharines Fire Services is underway in Ontario. Seven new Trainers from two existing Blue Card departments are sharpening their command performance and expanding instructor capacity to bring standardized hazard-zone management back to their organizations. A great group of people in a great location. 🇨🇦 Ready to unify your command system and certify your Incident Commanders? Train with Blue Card and build command performance — not command theory. View upcoming courses and workshops: bluecardtraining.com/events.aspx