Making the Grab with D.J. Stone

There’s a lot of talk about "making the grab" in this job. But how often do you actually break down what went right when a rescue is successful?

Not just the tools, but the mindset, the assignments, and the split-second decisions made in the first few minutes.

After the high-fives and backslapping, it’s time to analyze how you did it. So you’ll do it right the next time, too.

And to look at your mistakes, so you can avoid them the next time.

My guest today has turned that breakdown into a science. D.J. Stone is a Battalion Chief with the South Walton Fire District in Florida. He’s the creator of "The Grab Analysis," a program that dissects real-world rescues—captured on video—to teach firefighters exactly how to prioritize the search and get victims out alive.

On this edition of Code 3, we discuss aggressive search culture, the "850" method, and why preparation starts long before the tones drop.