Basement Fires, Search + Blitz Attack with PJ Norwood | Fully Involved Podcast (E12)

PJ Norwood returns to talk basement fires, search tactics, exterior water, deck guns, and how today’s fireground research should change the way firefighters operate. Host Gordon Voit visits the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, during Winter Fire School, where firefighters from across the region are sharpening tactics, building instructor skills, and learning from some of the strongest fire service instructors in the Northeast. PJ also discusses the second edition of The Evolving Fire Ground, his book with Sean Gray, and how new research is shaping the next generation of fireground decision-making. In this episode, firefighters will learn: • Why healthy debate makes fireground tactics stronger • How search tactics are changing based on victim location research • What water mapping teaches us about smooth bore and fog nozzle use • Why basement fires get worse when ventilation happens before water • How deck guns and blitz attacks can reset the fireground fast • Where preconnected ground monitors may fit in volunteer and low-staffing operations • How to think through exposure protection based on fire, wind, and resources Host Gordon Voit sits down with PJ Norwood at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, during Winter Fire School. Norwood shares what firefighters can expect from the second edition of The Evolving Fireground, coauthored with Sean Gray, including updated research on search, water mapping, basement fires, and modern fireground decision-making. Norwood is a longtime Northeast firefighter who is on the FSRI Training Advisory Committee, an FDIC speaker, co-author of The Evolving Fireground and the Director of Training at Connecticut Fire Academy. Chapters 00:00 On This Episode 01:31 Viral Response to First Episode: Healthy Debate 05:21 Evolving Fireground 08:13 Search: What Changed? 10:31 Bonus Tip: Better Ventilation in One Twist 11:06 Water Mapping: What Changed? 12:29 Basement Fire Misconceptions 16:33 Deck Gun Misconceptions 18:14 Preconnected BlitzFire? 20:07 Exposure Protection 21:25 What’s Taught at CFA?