Blue Card & B Shifter

10/15/2026

🔥 THAT’S A WRAP IN SPRINGDALE, OHIO!

We wrapped up a new and improved Blue Card Division Operations & Expanded Command Teams Workshop in Springdale/Hamilton County, Ohio, with a full house of fire service professionals committed to improving incident command and firefighter safety!

As incidents grow in size and complexity, so must the command organization. Effective incident management isn't just about the Incident Commander. It requires well-trained Division Officers, effective tactical-level supervision, and a command team that can manage the work, support the firefighters doing it, and keep the IC informed.

That's what this workshop is all about—building stronger command teams that can manage more complex incidents safely and effectively.

A huge thank you to the Springdale Fire Department for hosting and to everyone who spent two days with us training, learning, and getting better!

10/15/2026

🔥 ALL DONE FOR NOW IN THE GOLDEN STATE!

We wrapped up another successful Blue Card Mayday Management Workshop in Berkeley, California, with incident commanders from across California, Arizona, and Washington!

Over two days, participants worked through real-world Mayday case studies, lessons learned from firefighter line-of-duty deaths, and practical command simulations focused on both preventing and managing Maydays.

Mayday management isn't something we can figure out when things go wrong. It requires a well-practiced command system, sound strategic decision-making, and the ability to manage firefighter rescue operations while continuing to stabilize the incident.

A huge thank you to everyone who traveled to Berkeley, participated in the discussions, and invested two days in improving their command skills and firefighter safety.

10/14/2026

🔥 NEW ON B SHIFTER: IS NIMS THE RIGHT FIT FOR EVERY INCIDENT?

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has its roots in managing large, complex, multiagency incidents. But what about the incidents local fire departments respond to every day?

In his latest article, Nick Brunacini takes a look at the history of NIMS, why it was developed, and an important question for the fire service:

Does a system designed for large-scale incidents provide the right level of command and control for everyday emergency responses?

Nick explores why the Fire Command system and Blue Card provide a practical, standardized approach to managing Type 4 and 5 incidents—the incidents most fire departments manage routinely.

It's a great look at how we got here, why our command systems matter, and the importance of matching the command organization to the incident.

📖 Read the full article now at BShifter!

10/13/2026

🔥 BLUE CARD MAYDAY MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP — BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA!

This week, we're in Berkeley, California, delivering our two-day Mayday Management Workshop with incident commanders from across California, Arizona, and Washington!

When a Mayday occurs, the incident commander must manage two critical priorities: the rescue of the firefighter in trouble AND the ongoing fire control operations needed to stabilize the incident.

But effective Mayday management starts long before the Mayday is transmitted. It begins with a strong command system, sound strategic decisions, effective supervision, and keeping firefighters out of offensive positions when conditions have become defensive.

Over two days, we're examining real-world Mayday events, lessons learned from firefighter line-of-duty deaths, Project Mayday research, and the practical application of the Blue Card Incident Command System to both prevent and manage Maydays.

As Alan Brunacini reminded us:
"You must be doing everything right before something goes wrong."

That's what this workshop is all about. Building the command skills, systems, and habits that give firefighters the best chance when things go wrong.

A big thank you to everyone who traveled to Berkeley to invest in better command training and firefighter safety!

10/13/2026

🔥 FULL HOUSE IN SPRINGDALE, OHIO!

Today, Blue Card instructors are in Springdale, Ohio, delivering our Division Operations & Expanded Command Teams Workshop, and it's a full house!

As incidents grow in size and complexity, so must the command organization. Effective incident management requires more than just a good Incident Commander. It takes well-trained Division Officers, effective tactical-level supervision, and a command team working together.

Over the next two days, participants will focus on tactical-level decision-making, communications, resource management, accountability, firefighter safety, and managing Maydays—all reinforced through practical command simulations.

A big thank you to the Springdale Fire Department for hosting and to everyone who joined us to sharpen their command skills!

10/12/2026

🚒 BLUE CARD CRITICAL THINKING & STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING WORKSHOP

📍 Perrysburg, Ohio
📅 November 9–10, 2026

The fireground is constantly changing. Are your incident commanders prepared to recognize those changes and make the right strategic decisions?

Join us in Perrysburg, Ohio, for two days of training focused on improving how incident commanders think, evaluate conditions, and make critical decisions under pressure.

The Blue Card Critical Thinking & Strategic Decision-Making Workshop reinforces the Functions of Command while introducing a trainable, repeatable, and transparent decision-making process grounded in modern fire service research and proven incident command principles.

Good decision-making isn't luck. It's a skill that can be trained, practiced, and improved.

👉 Register by following the QR code!

10/12/2026

MORE SEATS. MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME A BLUE CARD INSTRUCTOR.

To keep pace with demand, we’ve opened additional seats in our remaining 2026 Blue Card Instructor Train-the-Trainer classes at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix—and our first-quarter 2027 dates are now posted!

Spend five days at the AVB CTC learning how to facilitate command simulations, coach incident commanders, and deliver Blue Card training back home with confidence.

November 9–13, 2026: 3 seats open
December 7–11, 2026: 5 seats open
January 25–29, 2027: 12 seats open
February 22–26, 2027: 12 seats open
March 22–26, 2027: 12 seats open

Space is limited—reserve your seat and join us in Phoenix!

10/12/2026

🔥 FIRE COMMAND, 3RD EDITION — UPDATED !

The book that helped shape modern incident command has been updated for today's fire service!

Fire Command, 3rd Editionbuilds on the foundational work of Chief Alan V. Brunacini, bringing updated concepts, lessons, and practical applications to the challenges facing today's incident commanders.

Whether you're a new company officer, an experienced incident commander, a Blue Card instructor, or a chief officer, Fire Command is an essential resource for understanding how to manage the hazard zone safely, effectively, and consistently.

The fundamentals haven't changed. The fireground continues to evolve. Our training and decision-making must evolve with it.

📘 Go to the B Shifter store and order today!

Bulk department orders are available.

10/12/2026

10/09/2026

All, The Durham, NC Fire Department has released the name of the firefighter who fell. Firefighter Andrew Brokes died in the line of duty this morning while searching for victims inside the building at 410 Marly Drive. Firefighter Brokes joined the Durham Fire Department on May 5, 2025, and served.....