QUICK SUMMARY: Special guest Conner Elhard joins Kael Johnson and David Ballestrasse on Episode 7 to discuss what to know about today’s housefires, where’s the best place to install a safe if you’re worried about fire, and more!
As with all things we do here at NW Safe, our goal is to help customers invest in their piece of mind. That’s what we’re continuing to do with the podcast — offer transparent insights into the world of safes, safe manufacturing, safe delivery, and safe maintenance.
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Episode 7 Discussion Questions
1:56: How did you go from firefighting to owning a safe company?
4:47: Why Bozeman? What made you want to open up a northwest safe branch there?
15:41: Can you go on to what the role is of the fire department when they go on site?
17:44: Where in my house should I put my safe to give it the best chance of survival?
25:18: Compare and Contrast Being a Firefighter and Selling Safes
28:16: What's Something Interesting, Unique or Sentimental You Store Inside Your Safe?
38:18: If Your Bozeman Store Had a Theme Song, What Would It Be? (Question Compliments of Cristian)
Episode 7 Discussion Question Synopsises
1:56: How did you go from firefighting to owning a safe company?
Starting a business was always a dream for Connor. He wanted to create something of his own and take full responsibility for both the wins and the challenges. While he loves his job as a firefighter, becoming a business owner gave him a new challenge and a chance to chase a longtime goal.
Connor and his wife Kim have been building their business in Bozeman while he still works as a firefighter in the Pacific Northwest. Their teamwork and determination stand out. Kim, especially, gets a lot of credit—she’s known for her strength and work ethic. She has even been known to unload trucks in freezing weather while pregnant. She’s not just a great business partner, but also an incredible life partner.
Both Connor and Kim come from families with entrepreneurial backgrounds, which has helped shape their mindset and work ethic. Their story is one of hustle, passion, and family commitment.
Theirs is a story that highlights how dreams, grit, and strong partnerships can build something truly inspiring.
4:47: Why Bozeman? What made you want to open up a northwest safe branch there?
Having spent many of his formative years living in Bozeman, Connor had been thinking about opening a store there for a long time. He’d often visit the team at NW Safe and talk about how Bozeman would be a great place for a new location.
Bozeman has changed a lot in recent years, especially with the rise in people moving there—partly thanks to shows like Yellowstone. That growth created new opportunities, especially in the safe and security market. Connor realized there was no local place where people could learn about high-quality safes and get expert service. He wanted to change that and bring the same level of professionalism and customer care that NW Safe is known for.
When COVID hit, it pushed him to finally take the leap and turn that dream into reality.
Before launching the store, Connor trained with the team—joining deliveries, learning the ins and outs of the business, and gaining hands-on experience. That preparation paid off. Since opening, the Bozeman store has seen strong growth and has helped fill a big gap in the local market.
Now, with a strong team and deep roots in the community, Connor is proud to serve Montana and help people make smart, secure purchases—backed by great service and knowledge.
8:50: Do you have a different perspective on what makes a good save? And what do people not understand about your typical house fire?
Many people don’t realize how fast modern house fires can spread. A small kitchen fire can turn into a full-blown attic fire in minutes. Today’s fires are hotter, faster, and more dangerous than in the past, mainly because of the materials used in our homes.
Back in the 1950s, houses were built with dense, old-growth wood and filled with natural materials like cotton and wool. These burned slowly and at lower temperatures. Now, homes are built with newer, lighter wood and filled with furniture made from synthetic materials like polyurethane and plastic—many of which are petroleum-based. These materials act like fuel, causing fires to burn between 1,500 and 1,800 degrees, compared to around 1,200 degrees in the past.
The smoke is different, too. Instead of light, gray smoke, modern fires produce thick black smoke loaded with toxic chemicals. This smoke, along with soot and water, causes major damage to anything in the home—even if items survive the flames. Valuables like guns may not be burned, but they can be ruined by the chemicals in the smoke.
The safe industry hasn’t fully caught up with how fast fires have changed. Many safety ratings and standards are still based on outdated information from 40 to 50 years ago. Understanding how fire behavior has evolved is important for better home protection and choosing the right fire-rated safe.
13:18: Have you ever responded to a fire where a gun safe played a role, either good or bad, that you experienced in real life?
Most house fires burn extremely hot, often resulting in total loss. Firefighters rarely see high-end safes. They almost always see homes with cheaper, box-store safes like a Costco gun safe or a Tractor Supply gun safe. These cheaper safes rarely, if ever, survive the fire.
The message: Match the quality of your safe to the value of what you're storing. In fire protection, you get what you pay for.
15:41: Can you go on to what the role is of the fire department when they go on site?
Many people assume the fire department will arrive quickly and save their home, but that’s not always possible. Often, by the time firefighters get there, the fire is already too big to stop completely. Their main job then becomes containing the fire and protecting nearby homes—what they call "exposures."
Firefighters in full-time departments are at the station 24/7. When a call comes in, they aim to leave within two minutes and arrive on scene in about five. But how quickly they can fight the fire depends on where it is. If the fire is in a rural area with poor infrastructure or no nearby hydrants, getting enough water can be a challenge. And without a lot of water, it’s tough to control large fires.
The bottom line is simple: big fires need big water. But firefighters can’t always access it fast enough, especially in areas that aren’t well-equipped. That’s why it's important to understand how fire response works—and why preparation and prevention are so important for homeowners.
17:44: Where in my house should I put my safe to give it the best chance of survival?
Deciding where to place a safe in your home can be tricky. Many people think the basement is best, especially if it’s concrete, since concrete doesn’t burn. But during a house fire, water from firefighters often drains into the basement, which can damage your safe and its contents.
Garages are another popular choice, but they come with risks. They’re usually easy to access from the outside and often filled with flammable items like gas cans, lawn equipment, and paint. That means a fire in the garage can burn extremely hot and fast.
There’s no perfect answer for safe placement—it really depends on what’s important to you. Accessibility matters too. If your safe is in the basement, are you going to use it regularly? Think about placing it on an exterior wall or over a solid foundation for extra strength.
It’s also important to remember that fires can burn for 20 to 30 minutes—or longer—before anyone even notices or calls for help. And even though firefighters aim to arrive within five minutes, your safe could already be exposed to heat for nearly an hour. That’s why both safe placement and the quality of your safe are key for protecting your valuables.
21:11: What Would You Say Would Be Minimum Fire Rating You'd Want Customers to Consider to Have a Fighting Chance in a House Fire?
When it comes to protecting your valuables from fire, experts recommend choosing a safe with at least a 60-minute fire rating. While many people think safes are "fireproof," the truth is that no safe is completely fireproof—only fire-rated for a certain amount of time. That time rating is key because in a fire, you're buying time for your belongings to survive until help arrives.
A fire-rated safe works like an insurance policy. Just like you’d match your insurance coverage to the value of your home or car, you should choose a safe based on what you're storing—whether it's expensive firearms, family heirlooms, or important documents. If you’re protecting $100,000 worth of items, it makes sense to invest in a top-tier safe, even if it costs $10,000.
Too often, people spend thousands on high-end gear, like rifles with custom scopes, but then store them in a bargain safe that won’t hold up in a serious fire. The message is clear: match the quality of your safe to the value of what’s inside. A better safe means better protection—and peace of mind when it matters most.
What’s the Best Fireproof Gun Safe?
While fireproof safes don’t exist, safes with a high fire rating can offer enhanced protection in the event of a forest fire or house fire.
25:18: Compare and Contrast Being a Firefighter and Selling Safes
Being a firefighter and a salesperson are two very different jobs, but both come with their own kind of reward. As a firefighter, there's nothing like the adrenaline rush of responding to a real fire call, knowing your training is about to be put to use. It’s intense, exciting, and deeply fulfilling to help protect lives and property. On the other hand, making a sale — especially helping someone find the right safe — also brings satisfaction, but in a different way. It’s more about building relationships and trust.
One thing most people don’t realize about firefighting is the sacrifice it takes. Firefighters often work rotating shifts and miss out on family time, holidays, and special events. It’s not your typical 9-to-5 job. That dedication comes with real challenges — physically, emotionally, and mentally — not just for the firefighter, but for their families too.
Despite these challenges, most firefighters love what they do. They take pride in their work, the training it requires, and the ability to serve their community. While the job has its perks, it also comes with a high level of commitment. At the end of the day, both roles — firefighting and sales — are about helping people and doing meaningful work.
28:16: What's Something Interesting, Unique or Sentimental You Store Inside Your Safe?
When people think about what to put in a safe, they usually picture guns, jewelry, or cash — but often, it’s the sentimental items that matter most. One person keeps a pair of gold-plated fingernail clippers inside their safe just because they’re meaningful. Another stores a custom knife passed down from their dad—something not extremely valuable in dollars but priceless in memories.
Many people realize too late that it's the irreplaceable items (photos, home videos, family keepsakes) that they wish they had protected. A safe isn’t just for expensive things; it’s for what you couldn’t imagine losing. That’s why it’s important to think about what really matters to you and choose a safe that matches the value (emotional or financial) of what you're storing.
Too often, people spend thousands on luxury items or appliances, but when it comes to buying a safe, they try to spend as little as possible. A high-quality safe can last a lifetime and even be passed down through generations.
A safe is an investment in peace of mind, and it's worth choosing one that truly protects what you care about most.
34:09: What's something Funny, Unique, Interesting or Just Crazy You Have Experienced Delivering Safes in Montana?
Delivering safes in snowy Montana comes with unique challenges, and Conner has had to get creative. In one job, he used a sled attached to a snowmobile to move a safe around a house and into a walkout basement — all by himself. On another job in Big Sky, the terrain was steep and slippery with snow. Knowing the risks, Conner combined his firefighting safety mindset with his construction experience to create a smart solution.
With the help of plywood tracks and a trailer winch, he and his team safely moved a 1,000-pound safe down the slope. As a backup, they added a second winch line to catch the safe in case of a slip. This clever setup was suggested by his wife Kim. It worked perfectly. The safe was delivered without a scratch, and no one got hurt.
His background in construction and firefighting made him a natural fit for running safe deliveries, especially in tough conditions.
38:18: If Your Bozeman Store Had a Theme Song, What Would It Be? (Question Compliments of Cristian)
The team at Northwest Safe had fun trying to come up with a theme song that fits their company vibe. While no one could pick just one song, they joked it would probably be something from the '80s or a country song about beer or whiskey. They listen to everything from Frank Sinatra to Led Zeppelin and Chris Stapleton. In the end, they agreed that Creedence Clearwater Revival or the song "Nose on the Grindstone" might best reflect their hardworking, good-time spirit