When a large fire starts creating problem after problem, who owns the problem?

And how does an Incident Commander keep the incident manageable when the size, complexity, and number of problems continue to grow?

In this September episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, Brian Kelly sits down with A.C. Rich, retired Battalion Chief with the Raleigh Fire Department, to discuss command lessons from the March 16, 2017 Metropolitan fire in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A.C. was the initial Incident Commander as the incident quickly grew into a large, complex operation involving multiple alarms, exposure protection, mutual aid, resource management, communications, accountability, and the protection of surrounding structures.

But this conversation isn't simply about what happened at the Metropolitan.

It's about a command philosophy that can be applied to incidents of any size:

🔥 Who owns the problem?

The Incident Commander doesn't have to personally solve every problem. Instead, the command system needs to make sure each problem has an owner, the benchmark is understood, and the right resources are assigned to manage it.

Brian and A.C. talk about:

• Managing a large fire when the problems start multiplying• Establishing and managing benchmarks• Assigning ownership and delegating responsibility• Keeping complex incidents simple• Scaling incident command as the incident grows• Area, branch, and regional command• Resource management and staging• Mutual aid and protecting the rest of the city• Water supply and avoiding assumptions about operational problems• Communications and accountability• Preventing freelancing on a large incident• Exposure protection• EMS and rehab• Unexpected hazards during a major incident• The role of the EOC and 911 center• Transfer of command• Lessons that apply to career, volunteer, and combination departments

We're also joined by Mike Legeros of Legeros Fire Line for our monthly look at North Carolina fire service history.

Mike's takes a look this month at the history of the Winston Salem Public Safety unit.

A special thank-you to Mike Legeros and Legeros Fire Line for helping us keep these stories alive.

Each month, we recognize North Carolina fire departments reaching significant milestone anniversaries.

This month, we're celebrating departments across the state marking 75-, 70-, 65-, 55-, and 45-year milestones.

Congratulations to all of the departments celebrating another year of service to their communities!

We wrap up the episode with news, deadlines, upcoming meetings, training opportunities, and other items important to the North Carolina fire service.

And, of course, we finish the show with the Bucket Brigade—our chance to ask the guest a few questions that have absolutely nothing to do with fire service operations.

The Carolina Fire Watch is a North Carolina fire service podcast focused on the people, issues, history, leadership, training, operations, and stories that matter to firefighters across the Old North State.

The show is produced in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association.

🎙️ Host: Brian Kelly🔥 Podcast: The Carolina Fire Watch🤝 Produced in partnership with: North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association

Who owns the problem?

Maybe the better question is:

Does Command really need to own every problem?

That's the lesson we're exploring this month on The Carolina Fire Watch.

#CarolinaFireWatch #NCSFA #FireService #IncidentCommand #NorthCarolinaFire

📚 THIS MONTH IN NORTH CAROLINA FIRE SERVICE HISTORY🚒 CAROLINA FIRE SPOTLIGHT📰 CAROLINA FIRE WIRE🎲 BUCKET BRIGADEABOUT THE CAROLINA FIRE WATCH

What began as a routine residential structure fire on December 15, 2025, quickly became one of the most significant firefighter survival stories in recent North Carolina history.

A violent explosion.

Twelve injured firefighters.

One department's culture put to the ultimate test.

This month on Carolina Fire Watch, Battalion Chief Lauran Franklin of the Salisbury NC Fire Department joins host Brian Kelly to discuss the Laurel Street incident, the moments immediately following the explosion, and the lessons every fire department can take from their experience.

Together, they explore:

• The Laurel Street explosion and roof collapse

• Firefighter survival and MAYDAY operations

• Leadership under pressure

• Operational culture and accountability

• Low-frequency, high-risk incidents

• Near miss reporting

• Firefighter wellness and recovery

• Building organizations prepared for their worst day

Because when catastrophe strikes, you don't rise to the occasion—you fall to the level of your training.

Carolina Fire Watch is produced in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters' Association and is dedicated to sharing the stories, lessons, and leaders shaping the North Carolina fire service.

Congratulations to this month's anniversary departments:

• Cullasaja Gorge Fire & Rescue – 75 Years

• Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire District – 65 Years

• Lake Rim Volunteer Fire Department – 65 Years

• Rosman Volunteer Fire Department – 65 Years

• New Hope Fire Department – 60 Years

• Bethlehem Community Volunteer Fire Department – 60 Years

• Moyock Volunteer Fire Department – 55 Years

• Oak City Volunteer Fire Department – 55 Years

• Piney Grove Volunteer Fire Department – 55 Years

• Bethania Fire and Rescue – 55 Years

• Pine Level Fire Department – 50 Years

• Westarea Volunteer Fire Department – 50 Years

• Pinetops Volunteer Fire Department – 50 Years

• Tryonota Fire Department – 35 Years

• Cool Spring Volunteer Fire Department – 30 Years

Special thanks to Mike Legeros and Legeros Fire Line for their continued efforts preserving North Carolina fire service history.

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#CarolinaFireWatch #NCSFA #NorthCarolinaFireService #FirefighterTraining #Leadership

Every firefighter has a call they'll never forget.

Not because it made the headlines. Not because it was the biggest fire. But because it changed the way they think, the way they train, and the way they lead.

In this episode of The Carolina Fire Watch, produced in partnership with the North Carolina State Firefighters' Association (NCSFA), host Brian Kelly sits down with Assistant Chief Paul Watlington of the Burlington Fire Department and Training Officer for the Yanceyville Fire Department.

Paul shares two defining incidents from early in his career—a first working house fire and the Big Party Night Club Fire—that forever shaped his approach to preparation, situational awareness, leadership, and firefighter development. Through those experiences, he explains why understanding the "why" behind training is just as important as mastering the "how."

Before our featured interview, we preview SAFRE 2026 with a representative of the North Carolina State Firefighters' Association, discussing this year's conference highlights, including:

• The new Opening Ceremonies format

• Recognition of the Firefighter of the Year

• The inaugural Timothy L. Bradley Hall of Fame induction ceremony

• Scholarship recognitions and leadership transitions

• The keynote presentation by retired Chicago Fire Department officer Steve Chikerotis

• The joint NCSFA and North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs business session

We also recognize North Carolina fire departments celebrating milestone anniversaries during this month's Carolina Fire Spotlight and take a look back at This Month in North Carolina Fire Service History, with historical research and resources courtesy of North Carolina fire service historian Mike Legeros.

Whether you're a new firefighter, a seasoned company officer, or a chief officer, this episode is a reminder that every emergency is an opportunity to learn—and every lesson learned is an opportunity to prepare the next generation.

In This Episode:

🔥 SAFRE 2026 Preview

🔥 Firefighter of the Year & Hall of Fame Recognition

🔥 Two Calls That Changed Everything

🔥 Leadership Through Experience

🔥 Understanding the "Why" Behind Training

🔥 Preparing Firefighters for the Unknown

🔥 Carolina Fire Spotlight

🔥 North Carolina Fire Service History with Mike Legeros

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your crew. Your support helps us continue highlighting the people, history, and stories of North Carolina's fire service.

Follow The Carolina Fire Watch for new episodes, shorts, and updates.

Stay safe. Stay engaged. And we'll see you on the next watch.