Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast

"Tips, Tactics, and Tools for a Safer Tomorrow" was inspired by frequent discussions between Brink Fidler, President of Defend Systems, and Tom Herring, Owner of Herring Technology, both driven by their commitment to educating clients on enhancing safety and security. Defend Systems specializes in physical security consulting and active shooter response training, while Herring Technology focuses on security solutions like access control, surveillance, alarms, and more. This podcast dives deep into all things safety and security—whether at home, work, church, or in public spaces. Our diverse guests come from a wide range of backgrounds, including school security experts, survivors of active shooter incidents, rescue task force managers, risk management professionals, technology specialists, federal agents, law enforcement experts, K9 trainers, and many more.

Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Brink Fidler & Tom Herring, with 77 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Brink Fidler & Tom Herring hosts Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast, a education show with 77 episodes published.

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  Episode #76

  076 - When You Need Security Now: Rapid Deployment Technology

  Aug 4, 202640 min

  Not every security challenge has time to wait for permanent infrastructure. In this episode, we're joined by Stephen Sutton of Herring Technology to explore how Rapid Deployment Units (RDUs) provide flexible, temporary security solutions wherever they're needed. We discuss how these mobile systems are used to protect events, critical assets, retail locations, logistics operations, and more, along with the technology that powers them, from solar and battery advancements to analytics like license plate recognition, people detection, and automated alerts. We also cover how organizations are using cameras for more than security, including crowd management, operational efficiency, and locating lost children at large events. Whether you're responsible for securing a special event, construction site, campus, or commercial property, this conversation offers a practical look at how rapidly deployable technology can solve complex security challenges. 0:55 Introducing Stephen Sutton of Herring Technology and the company's Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) division. 3:25 The most common RDUs are trailers and skids that can be deployed without existing infrastructure. 4:50 Why RDUs are an effective solution for unexpected security needs. 5:50 One of Herring Technology's first RDU deployments: the Smyrna Air Show. 7:41 What is a skid, and why it's difficult to tamper with. 8:45 Unique deployments, including protecting a $100,000 Christmas tree. 10:00 Where RDUs are used: festivals, parking lots, construction sites, retail, and more. 10:30 How warehouses and logistics facilities use RDUs to protect inventory. 11:42 Using RDUs as temporary alarm systems until permanent security is installed. 14:40 How battery technology has improved mobile security systems. 15:55 Methanol generators and why they outperform propane generators. 18:50 What are masts? 24:20 Solving complex security challenges with customized technology solutions. 25:20 Using loudspeakers to deter trespassers. 26:28 Analytics including license plate recognition and people, vehicle, and pet detection. 29:30 Using cameras to improve operations, crowd flow, and efficiency. 30:30 Finding lost children at large events. 32:00 Pole-mounted RDUs for temporary camera coverage. 33:30 Applying analytics to existing camera footage. 36:05 Why Herring tests products to failure before deploying them.

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  Episode #75

  075 - The Old Dominion Shooting Through the D.E.F.E.N.D.® Lens

  Jul 21, 202651 min

  When a gunman entered an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026, students and faculty were forced to make life-or-death decisions in seconds. Their actions stopped the attacker, but the incident also revealed critical lessons about mindset, decisive action, leadership, and emergency medical care. In this episode, former Green Berets Adam McIntyre and Mike Bearden join Brink and Tom to break down the attack step by step, discuss what went right, what could have changed the outcome, and explain why this real-world incident closely mirrors the principles taught in Defend Systems' D.E.F.E.N.D.® curriculum. Whether you're an educator, first responder, business leader, or simply want to be better prepared, this conversation offers practical lessons that could save lives. 1:00 Guests Adam and Mike, former Green Berets and members of the Defend Systems team, recap the Old Dominion University shooting and explain why it reinforces the principles we teach in our training. 7:40 Overview of the attack timeline and what happened inside the ROTC classroom. 9:00 The shooter's Army National Guard background and reported ISIS ties. 10:44 Why we intentionally don't name the shooter. 13:00 Colonel Brandon Shah becomes the first person to confront the shooter. 13:14 The decisive actions students took to stop the attack. 15:05 How a student intentionally created a handgun malfunction—a skill taught in Defend Systems training. 15:56 How many Defend Systems training concepts played out in the first 30 seconds. 16:40 The warrior mindset that empowered students to act. 18:35 Student Samuel Reineberg's account of treating Colonel Shaw's wounds. 24:40 Where bleeding control kits and tourniquets should be placed in buildings. 26:55 What to do if you don't have a tourniquet. 29:41 Recognizing the students' decisive actions and quick notification of law enforcement. 33:30 The shooter's weapon choice and why determined attackers will find a weapon. 34:25 Two critical lessons about fighting over a gun. 38:30 Accepting injury over death. 38:55 How this incident demonstrates the final step of the D.E.F.E.N.D.® curriculum. 39:13 Why an options-based approach helps people respond effectively. 40:55 Adam and Mike's three biggest takeaways from the incident. 44:55 Brink's biggest takeaway: decisive action and mindset ended the attack quickly. 45:07 How mental scripting helps people respond faster under stress. 47:40 Watch student Samuel Reineberg's interview on The Shawn Ryan Show . 49:05 Why training matters, the impact of medical training, and why everyone should learn Stop the Bleed.

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  Episode #74

  074 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 4)

  Jun 23, 202647 min

  In Part 4 of our Church Security Teams series, guests Adam McIntyre and Michael Bearden discuss one of the most overlooked, and most important, aspects of church security: radio communication. Many teams focus heavily on firearms, medical training, and response tactics, but communication is what connects every part of an incident. From detection and decision-making to reunification, effective communication can make the difference between order and chaos. Drawing on decades of military and security experience, Adam, Mike, Brink, and Tom share practical lessons on radios, communication plans, Security Operations Centers, equipment selection, radio placement, training drills, and common mistakes churches make. Whether your team is large or small, armed or unarmed, this episode provides actionable guidance to help your organization communicate more effectively during a crisis. 2:00 – Why communication is the most important element of a church security program 2:18 – Mike explains how serving as a communications specialist on a Green Beret team gave him years of experience operating and troubleshooting radio systems in complex environments. 4:40 – A rural school district exercise Defend Systems conducted where communication failed 6:00 – The three most important priorities for church security teams: people, response capability, and communication 7:15 – Building primary, contingency, and emergency communication plans 8:30 – Start simple: why every church should begin with reliable radios 8:58 – Why military units often view radios as being just as critical as weapons 10:20 – Security Operations Centers: who should staff them and why they should remain focused on coordination 14:50 – Don't just buy radios—train with them regularly 17:40 – Common communication failures churches experience 19:10 – Why Defend Systems prefers UHF radios for penetration and building coverage 24:55 – The reality of communication equipment: you often get what you pay for 26:00 – Budgeting for radios: fewer high-quality radios versus more lower-quality options 27:50 – Why used radios can be a smart option for churches with limited budgets 29:30 – Managing radio channels and keeping communication simple 32:15 – Training to ensure team members know which radio and channel to use under stress 32:50 – Parkland school shooting lessons learned: how using the wrong radio can have devastating consequences 35:00 – Why communication proficiency may be more important than marksmanship 40:00 – Building communication skills through scripting before adding movement 44:24 – "Confusion costs time, and time costs lives." 44:50 – Why plain language is more effective than complicated codes

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  Episode #72

  072 - Foundations of Church Security Teams (Part 3)

  May 26, 202642 minS0

  <p >In Part 3 of our Foundations of Church Security Teams series, we move beyond the initial response and focus on one of the most critical, and often overlooked, parts of a church security incident: what happens after contact is made with the threat.</p> <p >This episode covers the realities of integrating with responding law enforcement, how to conduct effective handoffs during a critical incident, why communication failures create danger, and the importance of tracking personnel and cleared areas inside your facility. Adam McIntyre shares lessons from Special Operations leadership, practical guidance for casualty management, and why realistic, church-specific training...

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  Episode #71

  071 - Getting to Know Michael Bearden | From Green Beret to Defend Systems

  May 12, 20261h 4mS0

  <p >In this episode, we sit down with Michael Bearden, Defend Systems' new VP of Strategy and a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret.</p> <p >Mike shares the story of his military career, from deploying to Iraq just months after graduating high school, to working in some of the most demanding environments in modern warfare, to eventually serving in 5th Special Forces Group. Along the way, he discusses Ranger School, combat deployments to the Middle East and Central Asia, the realities behind Special Operations missions, leadership under pressure, and the mindset required to operate in high-stakes environments.<...

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