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PODCAST

Firefighters Podcast

The Firefighters Podcast is a global podcast seeking to develop, inspire, connect, motivate, represent & celebrate the world of our emergency services operators through a series of wide-ranging conversations celebrating those within our emergency services family and encouraging the support of this incredible group of people.Operational UK firefighter Pete Wakefield speaks with individuals from all walks of life who share a connection with, can add value to, or can develop those who choose this

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All Episodes

91:50

#396 FIREFIT WORLD RECORD HOLDER BRAD DICKS

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Today I’m speaking with Brad Dicks, firefighter, father, and the current world record holder in FireFit, the ultimate test of speed, strength, and resilience in the fire service.Brad opens up about the mindset and discipline it takes to compete at the highest level, from relentless training and visualization, to the resilience that keeps him going when others burn out. He shares stories of community, mentorship, loss, and the balance between chasing excellence and staying grounded at home.This

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66:45

#395 Firefighter PPE for a Changing World with Vicki...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/09/08

Every firefighter knows the feeling: sweating through a call in full structural PPE gear when it wasn’t needed. Fatigue, heat stress, restricted movement. These things cost us on the job. That’s why I sat down with Vicki Jackson from MSA Bristol, leaders in firefighter PPE, to talk about what “PPE Fit for a Changing World” really means. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The philosophy behind right kit for the right call ✅ Why hybrid & modular gear is changing the game ✅ How stretch technolog...

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17:29

#394 We Remember Them: Reflections from the...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/09/05

This episode is a reflection on the Firefighters Memorial Trust’s Annual Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum for those unable to attend. Surrounded by colleagues, families, and supporters, the day carried immense weight through silence, poetry, and the laying of wreaths, every moment honoured the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service. The Arboretum, a landscape shaped by memory, reminded us that remembrance is not abstract it is about real people, real

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129:17

#393 Growing Leaders, Building Trust & shaping...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/09/03

If you’ve followed this show for a while, you’ll know how much of a personal interest I have in leadership. And part of the reason for that is because, like many of you, I carry a fear with me: the fear that I might go through my career having an unintended impact on people. That the way I lead, or fail to lead, could leave a mark I never meant to.I think very few people really study leadership. Too often, we assume we can just pull it out of our back pocket, lean on a few inspirational quotes, or

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65:02

#392 SOUTH COAST FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2025 DEBRIEF

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/29

The second instalment in our Challenge debrief series. Last time, we kicked things off with the Welsh Firefighter Challenge, Today we’re keeping that momentum going as we head south to shine a light on another incredible event the South Coast Challenge.I’m joined by two people I’m proud to call good friends, Alan Smith and Gareth Smith, the organizers who pour their heart and energy into making this event such a powerful celebration of firefighter fitness, resilience, and community.In this

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48:06

#391 WELSH FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2025 DEBRIEF

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/25

If you’ve been with us over the past couple of years, you’ll know we’ve done firefighter challenge debriefs before and the feedback has always been "do more of these"…so here we are, kicking off the first debrief of 2025.Welsh Firefighter Challenge has become a true highlight in the firefighter calendar, an incredible mix of competition, fitness, community, and celebration of everything that makes our sector so special.Joining me today are Dominic Norcross and Tim Frost, some of the

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20:25

FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: FLOWPATHS

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/23

This episode of the Firefighter Podcast dives into the critical concept of flow paths—the routes that heat, smoke, and fire gases take through a structure, driven by pressure differences, wind, and firefighter actions. Understanding flow paths is essential because every door opened, window vented, or tactic applied can either control the fire or accelerate its spread. Modern fire environments, filled with synthetic materials, produce fuel-rich smoke that behaves like a hidden accelerant, making

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111:35

#390 Beyond the Job: John Kelly on Holistic Health &...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/18

John Kelly is a former professional MMA fighter and Miami-Dade County firefighter who has become a holistic health coach. With over twenty years of experience in fitness, performance, and recovery, John now dedicates his life to helping first responders overcome burnout, hormone dysfunction, stress-related illness, and chronic fatigue.He holds a degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida International University, where he also walked onto the football team at age 23. After stepping away from the

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8:46

FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: Basic Chemistry for...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/15

The Firefighting Foundations mini-series is a focused collection of episodes designed to lay down the essential building blocks of our craft. It’s not a complete manual, and it doesn’t claim to be — instead, it delivers a powerful, practical base of knowledge built on science, tactics, and mindset. Whether you’re stepping onto the drill yard for the first time or you’ve been on the job for decades, this series is packed with tools, truths, and takeaways you can apply immediately to the fireground

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101:17

#389 Evolution of INCIDENT COMMAND in the UK Fire...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/11

In this episode, Kevin Arbuthnot and I take a deep dive into how Incident Command has evolved in the UK not just in policy, but in culture, mindset, and leadership. We explore pivotal incidents that changed the way we operate, the pressures of modern command in an age of greater public scrutiny, and the challenges of adapting to emerging risks like terrorism, climate-driven emergencies, and increasingly complex built environments. We’ll also tackle the ongoing debate: can Incident Command remain a

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11:35

FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: The Foundations of...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/08

The Firefighting Foundations mini-series is a focused collection of episodes designed to lay down the essential building blocks of our craft. It’s not a complete manual, and it doesn’t claim to be — instead, it delivers a powerful, practical base of knowledge built on science, tactics, and mindset. Whether you’re stepping onto the drill yard for the first time or you’ve been on the job for decades, this series is packed with tools, truths, and takeaways you can apply immediately to the fireground

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72:23

#389 Tactical Firefighting, Macedonia, Evolution &...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/08/04

Today’s guest is someone whose name carries serious weight in the UK for tactical firefighting that's Dave Berry, Tactical Firefighting Training Lead at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. With over 25 years of frontline experience, Dave has trained operational crews across Lancashire, Manchester, Macedonia, and Montenegro. He’s a fire behaviour specialist, a highly respected technician and educator, and a lifelong student of the craft. He’s trained and learned shoulder to shoulder

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87:54

#388 Forensic Leadership & The Traces we leave behind...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/28

“Every contact leaves a trace.” That’s not just a principle from forensic science, it’s a profound truth about leadership, about life, and about the influence we carry every day, often without realizing it.In this episode, I sit down with Paul Kinkaid former senior British Army officer, global speaker, bestselling author, and Executive Leadership Coach to explore what he calls Forensic Leadership. Paul brings a lifetime of experience leading elite teams in the most challenging environments across 44

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47:03

HAIX GTX Extraguard - The Future of Fire Boots with...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/24

There has been a need for Innovation in Firefighting footwear and finally its here. In firefighting, there has always been a trade-off between comfort and protection & There is a lot of research and evidence that shows the heavy weight of fire boots leads to increased risk of mobility restrictions, physical strains and slips, trips, and falls. Tests in the GORE-TEX Professional labs show this to be as much as 300g per boot after just one hour of exposure to water.their are also challenges faced

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33:05

#386 Firefighting in a WARZONE with a Ukraine...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/21

Today on The Firefighters Podcast, we are bringing you a conversation that will stay with you long after you hear it. For his safety and the safety of his colleagues, our guest’s identity will remain anonymous. He is a firefighter serving in Ukraine, and sharing his experiences publicly could put him and his crew at risk due to the intense conflict that continues there. With over 11 years of conflict and an average of 100 drone attacks daily, Ukraine's firefighters operate in conditions most ...

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76:41

#385 Help I think My Boss Is A Narcissist

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/17

In today’s episode, we’re tackling the often-unspoken side of leadership and culture the subtle, psychological dynamics that quietly corrode healthy teams. While most of my experiences with leaders in the fire service have been overwhelmingly positive, we can’t ignore the fact that some individuals, though not blatantly toxic, still manage to suppress, sideline, or demoralise the people around them. These behaviours don’t always lead to disciplinary action, but they do drive good people out of the

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33:19

#384 DEBRIEF: FIRE IN THE SKY

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/14

In 2010, a terrifying blaze tore through the high-rise apartments at 200 Wellesley Street East in Toronto, pushing firefighters and resources to their absolute limits. Crews faced intense heat, heavy smoke, and severe challenges with stairwell access and evacuation on upper floors, making it one of the city’s most complex high-rise fires. The incident exposed critical gaps in aerial operations, communications, and staging under extreme conditions, forcing a hard look at the realities of high-rise

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113:21

#383 The Future Direction of the UK Fire Service with...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Today on the Firefighters Podcast, I sit down with Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, to discuss the future of the UK fire and rescue service. With 34 years in the job, Phil shares why this is not about titles but about preparing our service for tougher challenges – from climate change and wildfires to aging infrastructure and shifting public expectations – all while we are asked to do more with less.We explore how consistent national training, embracing new technologies, and

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137:59

#382 What Happened at Grenfell with expert witness...

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/06/30

On 14 June 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire in West London claimed 72 lives and exposed critical failures in building safety and fire preparedness. Over 250 firefighters faced unimaginable conditions as the fire spread rapidly due to combustible cladding, turning Grenfell into a turning point for our sector. Today’s guest is Steve McGuirk, former fire chief, expert witness to the Grenfell Inquiry, and Executive Officer of the Fire Sector Federation. With nearly 50 years in the fire service, Stev...

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56:33

#381 FDNY Chief Officer Frank Leeb

Firefighters Podcast ·

2025/06/23

Frank Leeb is the managing director of the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE). He previously served as a Deputy Assistant Chief in the Fire Department of New York. Retiring in June 2024 with more than 31 years. During his tenure with the FDNY, he held several senior staff positions, including the Chief of the Fire Academy, Chief of Training, and Chief of Safety. Frank has also been a East Farmingdale Fire Department member since 1983 (Long Island, NY). Frank Leeb's career has been

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418 results

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