Ronin RescueCast: Recent Episodes
Ronin Rescue
Ronin is comprised primarily of current or former military and emergency services personnel. Rescue and Safety is what we do! It is our profession and our passion. Our staff have performed rescues in some of the worst conditions imaginable. We have seen the negative side of accidents and incidents knowing full well that with proper communication, procedure and training the majority of them are preventable. Our RescueCast is to talk about our procedures, issues in the rescue industry and other items of interest to the rescue community.
Due to schedules and logistics, one of the teams competing in Taiwan this year was made up of rescuers from 6 different nations. So in RescueCast 94 we chat with Alan from Rope Geeks UK and Rado from RESQ NL about prepping for, competing in and some after action reviews (AAR) of the Ch'iao Rescue Competition in Taiwan in October. And we discuss some other differences that made.
In RescueCast 92 we chat with Brian Luyster about rescue, Task Force deployments, the Texas Rescue Challenge and the Joey D Foundation (Black Sunday Fires in NYC)
While cross training in other rope disciplines is highly recommended, we need to remember that at the core, rope access and rope rescue are different. What works in one world. may not work in the other one.
In RescueCast 85 we speak with Dave Connolly of the Dublin Fire Brigade. Dave is one of the Station Officers at their technical rescue station, and their lead technical rescue instructor. We chat with Dave about his background and how he got into technical rescue as well as the technical rescue techniques and some of the calls conducted by the Dublin FB.
In RescueCast 84 we speak with Peter Nicol about leading a rescue team at GRIMP NA in both 2019 and then again in 2022. We talk about the differences in his approach as well as the team training between the two events. We discuss the scenarios and his growth from first time Team Leader and competitor to placing third at the next edition.
In RescueCast 83 we speak to Shaggy & Funk from Vertical Integrity Rescue, Micah from Peak Rescue and Nate from Elevated Safety about their upcoming NPR - New Paradigm Rescue Class. Or should it be called the the NBR - No BS Rescue Class. The Jan offering is sold out but listen for the drop on the next date and location...
In RescueCast 82 we speak with Steph Roy a former Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technician about his career, the CF SAR program and some of the rescues he was part of.
In track 81 we chat with Miles Randell, president of TEAAM. TEAAM is one of the first not for profit helicopter rescue societies in Western Canada. We discuss the reasons why TEAAM was formed, what type of emergencies they respond to as well as the challenges in running such an organization.
Did you want that 11mm rope? RescueCast 80 is just a quick blurb from Ronin Rescue about Change Management in Government Organizations. Hopefully we have provided some hints on how to get change through your organization.
In RescueCast 79 we chat with Bryan, Robert and Ryan from Chisholm Trail Rescue about their first rescue competition at GRIMP Day in Namur. We chat about their take aways of the event, the training they completed prior and what they would do next time. A definite listen for any North American Fire Department Rescue Team that wants to compete at an international competition.
In RescueCast 77 we talk to Pat O who is one of the first North Americans to complete the IMP2 program (GRIMP System) in Belgium. Pat talks about differences and similarities between the IMP 2 program and North American NFPA Rope programs as well as training in Europe.
In RescueCast 76 we talk to Gavin Reed from Blackcomb Ski Patrol about patrolling, rope rescue in patrolling, avi, bombing and helicopters.
In RescueCast 71 we have a conversation with Alan from Rope Geeks in the UK. Just a candid conversation between two rescue geeks where we both ask each other questions about the industry.
Something different this week. In this RescueCast we interview 3 of the youngest employees of Ronin Rescue to get their thoughts on rope and rescue work. We discuss age and sexual discrimination on sites; their thoughts on what training works for their age group as well as what does not and their take on if their former experiences prepared them for this line of work
I know we have been on a slight hiatus - but here we are again! In RescueCast 66 we talk with Micah Rush and Shaggy Williams about redundancy, rigging, risk aversion and third party certification.
RescueCast 63 - Russell McCullar And History Of Fire Service Rope Rescue by Ronin Rescue
In RescueCast 62 we talk to our new US Operations Manager - Craig McClure. We discuss lightweight systems (8mm), testing lightweight systems, testing ASAP's on reeves , tailing rope and risk/benefit analysis.
In RescueCast61 we talk to Kenny T and Tom Basher from Ithaca FD about rescues they have completed and how that has shaped their vision on rope rescue and training rope rescuers
In RescueCast 57 we interview Tim Anderson of ARS. We talk about how he got his start in the industry, some of the products he has designed and where the industry is moving for small designers such as ARS.
On Podcast 55 we speak with Jay Erban about setting up technical rescue units and using grant money to accomplish this task.
In RescueCast 51 we interview Hugo Tripp from Germany about Euro/North American rigging differences, rope rescue in the German Fire Service, GRIMP Day and some of the rescue standards they follow in Germany.
In RescueCast 47 we interview Damian about the differences in training and skill sets he needed to go from a fire department rescuer to a GRIMP team member and Team Leader. We also chat about his experiences leading a GRIMP Team and the leadership and management involved in being a GRIMP TL.
For RescueCast 46 we interview Mikey Stevenson from the Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. We discuss variations in rope access regulations, why rope rescuer specific technicians may want to take rope access training and we get an insiders view of the Petzl Rope Trip.
This PodCast is an interview with Legionnaire, writer and helicopter pilot Joel Struthers. We speak to Joel about life in the Legion, leadership traits he took away from the Legion. We chat about his new venture Legion Engineered - a clothing line that is brining awareness and supporting PTSD treatments. We also chat a bit about helicopters and some dos and donts - just to round out the discussion.
RescueCast 43 is a discussion with Sean and Tom about the rescue they took part in on the Golden Ray. With ships crew unaccounted for they were part of the team that located, breeched and extricated the victims.
Just a quick Interview with James Ranken, a British Rope Access Technician currently living and under lock down in Italy. We discuss what's happening in Italy and what the EU, UK and North America should prepare for.
This podcast is a conversation with 4 individuals involved in rescue training and equipment manufacturing. We discuss how the COVID 19 Pandemic has created difficulties in the rescue community and try and answer some questions around rescue training and equipment issues during this time.
In Podcast 41 we chat with Robin from D4H. We discuss his time with the Irish Coast Guard and some of the teams of the Irish CG. We also talk about D4H in detail. If you use D4H or are looking for a software management platform for rescue teams - have a listen.
To tail or not to tail. This is the tale of rope tailing as viewed by a few Ronin Rescue Instructors.
PodCast 40 is an interview with Jack Perry from Camp USA. We discuss ice climbing, what challenges and timelines are in place when making equipment and CAMP products.
PodCast 39 interviews Micah from Peak Rescue about an offshore recovery from a confined space that they were tasked with. From the logistics of getting a team out to sea, to operating in international waters, Micah describes the challenges around the incident.
PodCast 37 - ATLAST, Size Up And Other Confined Space Tactical Concerns by Ronin Rescue
For some winter fun; An interview with Mike, a former CF SAR Tech, about two crevasse rescues he was part of. The first minute of the audio has some glitches, however push through, the remainder we got sorted out.
The first of hopefully many interviews with rescue technicians about incidents they have responded to and the lessons they learned from those incidents. Learn what you can from others success and challenges so your team can be that much better. Here we discuss a confined space rescue incident.
In RescueCast 34 we interview Dan McMahon, owner of ISH24 in Australia. We talk about ISH24, how Dan got into the industry, confined space regulations in Oz as well discuss their preferred rescue equipment.
Do you use Incident Action Plans for your technical rescue incident? If not why not? We discuss using IAP's for Tech Rescue as well as the orders format and action plan used overseas.
An interview with Craig McClure regarding testing of the ASAP use in a highline system. The CrackerJack Group and Ronin Rescue conducted this testing and it was presented by Craig at ITRS 2019.
An interview with Erik from the Mechelen Fire Service in Belgium. Erik is a station officer and CT under the French GRIMP System. We talk about the French GRIMP system and the similarities between the Belgian and North America rope rescue systems.
This RescueCast answers questions listeners have sent in about gear, ITRA, ITRS and a Flemish Reeve. If you have any more questions, please feel free to send them to us
PodCast 29 is an interview with the father of the clutch, the breaker of foot ascenders - well enough GOT references - Sean Cogan of Harken Industrial. We talk about how he got into the industry, the clutch, the ninja as well as GRIMP and rope rescue and rope access.
An interview with the 2019 GRIMP Day Team Leader on the rescue rigging he used and why he used it.
A discussion with Ed about the new NFPA HazMat standard, who needs what level of HazMat training and how HazMat is becoming more of a required skill for industry.
An interview with Ed who serves as an Ottawa firefighter on the Cities Public Order (Service) Unit.
In RescueCast 25 we interview Kelly Byrne of Rescue 2 Training and DC Fire about rigging to aerial ladders. Kelly discuss some of the do's and many of the don's when it comes to rigging ladder trucks.
In RescueCast 24 we talk with an Arborist about Arb rigging, equipment and rescue options. These rescue options we discuss are how Arborists rescue themselves and what fire department rescuers will find if dispatched to this type of incident.
A quick update for Ronin staff on some gear changes. Open to anyone to listen to however specifically aimed at our staff. Stay tuned we will have a new PodCast up on Arb next week.
Just some quick thoughts from Ronin on being part of and leading a small team, specifically a rescue team. We discuss training, preparation, leadership and team performance.
RescueCast on GRIMP 2019 in Namur, the event, the culture and feedback on some of the gear we used. Gear such as the ATOM harness, Ninja, Clutch, Armour Helmet and Cousin Ropes.
Discussions with Don (an evaluator) and Cole (a competitor) about their experiences at GRIMP NA. Discussed is questions around live loads, rescue competitions and GRIMP NA in general.
This PodCast is an interview with L Coultry about where Mine Rescue started and where it is going.
An interview with Luc who just completed a week with AERT on the battleship course. We discuss strategies and tactics of confined space rescue.
Ever wonder what the AHJ means to you? This rescuecast is a quick discussion on the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) as listed in the NFPA standards and what it means to us and you.
This RescueCast is about GRIMP Day from a team leader point of view. KR chats about how he trained his team for the event, leadership and team employment at the event and his method of briefing the team during the event.
An interview with one of the owners of Ronin Rescue about influences he has seen in rope rescue, public vs private rescue teams and different devices he uses.
This PodCast has nothing to do with rescue. As Ronin is around 42% former military, we wanted to share some of our staffs experience regarding transitioning out of the Armed Forces. This PodCast has interviews with two of our staff who released and transitioned to the city sector.
Information on a rope access job inside of a grain silo. Rigging and hazards are discussed.
Some folks have asked what gear we are using for rescue. Here is an overview; primarily of the clothing and PPE we use.
GRIMP DAY - Yes we finally put out a podcast discussing GRIMP Day and our experiences at the event.
Rope rescue has had more changes in the past 10 years then the previous 30 prior. Is that a good thing? Here we discuss some of the influences in rope rescue.
Discussion for Ronin staff around how to complete the updated Ronin Field Rescue Plan. Would be useful for other safety and rescue professionals who complete rescue plans.
Pad Cast 8 discusses new rescue gear we saw at A plus A in Germany in October as well as a quick conversation on principles for rigging rescue systems.
Do you know what to look for when hiring a private rescue provider? We discuss questions you should ask potential rescue providers prior to hiring them.
Ronin went to CMC to test aid climbing gear and grigri's in off label uses (rescue applications). As well we looked at different methods of tying clove hitches and a tension lines made of clove hitches.
Quick chat on different helmets for pea heads like me. We also talk about different principles and risk tolerance as an introduction to two incidents that I have investigated. One incident with an omni strap, one with an ID.
Rescuecast 4 discusses the reasons for incorporating the rescue team into the on site safety tailboard.
This RescueCast discusses regulations and standards and how they have influenced the speed vs safety culture in technical rescue. As well we talk about confined space tactics including bash kits and austere rigging anchors.
RescueCast # 2 on what we carry in our Rigging Kits. This is primarily for our staff, however there are some nuggets in there for the general rescue community.
What quick medical intervention supplies are you carrying into your rescues? A look at Ronin's Quick Response Pack (QRP).