Good Shepherd Fire Training

09/04/2026

Forcible Entry Friday

Chain link gates are no different than any other forcible entry problem we come across. We find and attack the weakest link.

The weakest link of many chain link gates are the hinges. Sizing up this gate might draw your attention to the padlock and chain but the weakest link are the hinges.

Simply hitting the post side hinge with a Halligan or axe will allow the gate to open. Drive the top hinge up the post or the bottom hing down the post will free the one opposite as well.

If the fence continues from the post and you struggle to get a good hit on the hinge itself, you can place the chisel end of a hook or forks of the Halligan across the lower hinge and hit down on the tool.

It’s simple, effective, and often overlooked.

08/28/2026

Forcible Entry Friday

You never know what you’re going to find. Buildings and their owners are unpredictable. Usually, back and side doors are most secure.

Several years ago we were called out to a customer locked in a furniture store after hours. The front doors were aluminum stile glass with a mortise. They were chained together. We cut the chain and pulled the lock. Once in we walked around a bit.

This store is to the storage area in the rear. On size up, you can see the missing tubular lock. Random carriage bolts the length of the primary door and you can see where a lock hasp and staple used to be mounted. Also, bolt patterns indicative of a drop bar are present and one would assume it is in place and substantial since there is no lock.

But…the inside tells a different story. A drop bar is present but does nothing more than keep the doors together.

08/27/2026

Excited to be doing this one in our hometown. It’s been 5 years since we’ve done an open enrollment FE class in the Birmingham area.

08/20/2026

Go check it out. The newest firefighting podcast devoted to truck work.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/07nthNtUQ06Oqq6J3ZcvTM?si=5G8OkV6IQOSFFZUX3EA8Hw&utm_source=copy-link

Magic City Truck Academy · Episode

08/17/2026

Having issues with your Scott mask? The newer Scott mask has two seals and the inner seal is notorious for curling in on the sides. Some people fight this by keeping the net pulled over the front of the mask so that it pulls the sides open. I prefer to leave my net in its natural state, especially when I have my straps tapped. I finally found the Seal Shaper. I keep it in at all times. When I’m off duty, I usually keep a small ball inside as well. It’s made a huge difference. When I come into work, I remove the ball, keep the shaper in place (it comes out easily while en route to a job) and place my mask face up on the dog house to keep the seal pushed open.

08/16/2026

🔥🔥🔥🔥

08/12/2026

The reality of an urban search. Small houses that are 70 to 100 years old. 1000 sq ft. Times changed. People got more stuff. Hallways become closets. Living rooms become storage. Bedrooms become aisles between a queen bed, dresser, and TV stand. Searches become anything but a wide open floor plan with furniture placed nice and neat. Are you training for this?

08/10/2026

Excited to be heading to Baton Rouge next March!!! Presenting two lectures on March 3rd. “Ground Ladders: Moving Beyond Minimum Standards” and “The Ins and Outs of Forcible Entry”

Louisiana Firefighters Foundation

08/10/2026

08/06/2026

🔥🔥 Official Save The Date 🔥🔥

Clay Magee will be there as part of Magic City Truck Academy cadre!!! Can’t wait!

Registration opens September 1st. Make sure to follow Magic City, Soda City and FireNuggets for more info coming soon.

EAST COAST TRUCK CONFERENCE

February 8-12, 2027

Forcible Entry - Tradesman Fire And Fabrication

Dark Side of Ladders - Magic City Truck Academy

BIB Search - Brothers In Battle LLC

Vertical Ventilation- The Highwaymen

And More!!

The largest acquired building conference EVER‼️

All classes hosted at an acquired building

Black Mountain, North Carolina.