Firefighter Podcast

Hosted by Pete Wakefield

Business Entrepreneurship Education Health FitnessInterviews guests

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Episodes

502

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

The Firefighters Podcast is an award winning global podcast developing, inspiring, connecting, motivating & celebrating the world of our emergency services operators through a series of wide-ranging conversations with those within our emergency services family. Hosted by serving operational UK firefighter & Instructor Pete Wakefield who speaks with individuals from all walks of life who share a connection with, can add value to, or can develop those within the fire sector. Our driving purpose is to create a legacy resource for the current and future generations of firefighters & first responders

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 2026Episode 51834 min

#518 DEBRIEF: Six Firefighters Trapped | Mendocino Complex 2018

Six firefighters. A rapidly advancing wildfire. And an escape route that suddenly disappeared. On 19 August 2018, firefighters working on California's Mendocino Complex were conducting a tactical firing operation designed to stop the spread of a major wildfire. But as conditions deteriorated, a sudden wind shift and explosive fire development cut off their planned escape routes. We explore: The background to the Mendocino Complex wildfire and the challenges facing responding crews. The tactical firing operation and the events leading to the entrapment. How rapidly changing fire behaviour compromised escape routes. Operational urgency, leadership and the pressure to complete an assignment. The importance of communication, clear briefings and shared situational awareness. Why firefighters need the confidence to challenge a plan when conditions change. Lessons that apply beyond wildfire incidents, including structural firefighting and incident command. Further reading and original investigation DOWNLOAD HERE Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 19, 2026Episode 5172 hr 6 min

#517 Are We Making Firefighters Safer or Less Capable? | Chris Gott & Justin Brunner

Are We Training Firefighters Wrong? | Chris Gott & Justin Brunner Are we genuinely developing better firefighters, or are we simply getting better at ticking boxes, completing assessments and documenting competence? In this episode of The Firefighters Podcast, I sit down with Chris Gott and Justin Brunner for a fascinating conversation about the future of firefighter training, operational competence, leadership, artificial intelligence and how we can develop better decision-makers. Connect with our guest here | Chris Gott | Justin Brunner Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 15, 2026Episode 5161 hr 35 min

#516 Culture on Fire: We Know the Problem - So Why Is Change So Hard

Why does meaningful change remain so difficult when decades of research, inspections and cultural reviews have already identified so many of the problems? In this episode, Im joined by Janette Morris , former senior fire and rescue leader and HMICFRS inspector; Dave Baigent , former firefighter and long-standing researcher of firefighter culture; and Leanne Allen , operational firefighter and researcher with experience internationally. Together, they challenge assumptions around leadership, inclusion, recruitment, accountability and the traditions that shape our profession, exploring what it might actually take to create lasting cultural change. Leanne's presentation to Women and Firefighting Australasia https://youtu.be/JfLtwzoXbuo?feature=shared Link to Leanne's research award - https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/firefighters-research-into-workplace-gender-disparities-earns-prestigious-kate-sheppard-award/ Website - www.cultureonfire.org Dave's research/reports/resouces website - www.fitting-in.com LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/company/culture-on-fire/ Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 12, 2026Episode 51528 min

#515 Beyond National Best Practice: Why Firefighting Needs Global Thinking with Dr Lori Moore-Merrell & Phil Garrigan

Recorded at the World Fire Congress 2026 in London , I sat down with Dr Lori Moore-Merrell , former US Fire Administrator and founding Chair of the World Fire Congress, and Phil Garrigan , Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to explore some of the biggest challenges facing fire and rescue services around the world. We discuss the growing threats of wildfire, extreme weather, operational pressures and funding challenges, alongside the importance of international collaboration and learning from major incidents. Lori shares why we must never waste the lessons of tragedy, while Phil reflects on the UK's changing risk profile and the need to influence meaningful change. We also explore the human impact of major disasters and the extraordinary challenges facing firefighters in conflict-affected nations. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 9, 2026Episode 51414 min

#514 Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: What Every Firefighter Needs to Know | Dr Stephen Kerber

Lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in almost every part of modern life, from mobile phones and power tools to electric vehicles, public transport and large-scale energy storage systems. But as this technology becomes more widespread, are fire and rescue services keeping pace with the risks? Recorded live at the World Fire Congress 2026 in London , this episode of The Firefighters Podcast features Dr Stephen Kerber of UL Research Institutes and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) , one of the leading voices in research-led firefighter safety. Stephen explores the increasing operational challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries, the hazards that can emerge throughout their lifecycle and the diverse environments in which firefighters are now encountering them. Of particular concern is the potential for flammable battery gases to accumulate within enclosed compartments, creating conditions for deflagration. But this conversation is about more than understanding the hazards. It's about translating scientific research into better education, improved standards, more effective operational preparation and greater public awareness. As lithium-ion technology continues to evolve, our understanding, training and response must evolve alongside it. An important listen for firefighters, incident commanders, trainers, fire safety professionals and anyone involved in preparing our services for emerging risks. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 7, 2026Episode 51321 min

#513 Wildfire, AI & the Future of the UK Fire Service | London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith

Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I sat down with London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith for a conversation about some of the biggest challenges facing the modern Fire and Rescue Service. We talk about what London learned after being caught out by the 2022 wildfires, how training and capability have changed since then, the need for greater national consistency and a future College of Fire, and how artificial intelligence could support operational decision-making without replacing the critical human element of incident command. We also look internationally at high-rise firefighting, robotics, smart buildings and specialist teams, and discuss why learning from fire and rescue services around the world is becoming increasingly important as the risks we face continue to evolve. Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 5, 2026Episode 51229 min

#512 The Future of Firefighter Health & Wellbeing | Professor Rowena Hill | World Fire Congress 2026

Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I caught up with my friend Professor Rowena Hill from Nottingham Trent University, who also chairs the NFCC Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research Board. In this conversation, we explore firefighter health and wellbeing through a much wider lens than physical fitness alone, looking at psychological and social health, resilience, moral injury, retirement and identity, and why I believe we need to become far better at preventing problems rather than simply responding once somebody reaches crisis. We also look at research from the UK and internationally, and talk about the wider role the modern Fire and Rescue Service can play in early intervention, problem-solving and supporting the communities we serve. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

October 1, 2026Episode 51136 min

#511 Beyond the Incident Command Assessment | Katherine Lamb

This conversation with Katherine Lamb, founder of Effective Command, explores what effective incident command really looks like beyond simply following procedure. We discuss professional judgement, risk-based decision-making, command competence, behavioural assessment and the difference between being qualified to command and being genuinely capable of making decisions under pressure. Katherine also shares how the Effective Command approach is using data around command behaviours to identify recurring strengths and weaknesses, and why developing adaptable, thinking incident commanders is essential when real incidents rarely fit neatly into a textbook. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

September 28, 2026Episode 5101 hr 30 min

#510 Beyond the Fire Kit: Innovation, Culture & Leadership | Simon Hunter

In this episode, I travelled to Northern Ireland to sit down with Simon Hunter and Chris Colgan with the team at Hunter Apparel Solutions for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of firefighter PPE, innovation, leadership and firefighter protection. We explore how modern fire kit is designed and developed, the growing understanding around contamination and decontamination, the responsibility manufacturers have to the firefighters wearing their products, and how listening directly to operational crews can drive meaningful change. The conversation also goes beyond PPE into the culture, values and leadership behind Hunter Apparel, offering a fascinating look inside a company working at the intersection of firefighter safety, technology and real-world operational need. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

September 24, 2026Episode 5091 hr 40 min

#509 Rebuilding UK Firefighting Tactics, Training & Doctrine with Dan Stephens

Dan Stephens returns to The Firefighters Podcast to explore the next evolution of tactical firefighting in the UK. We discuss the work underway with the NFCC to turn decades of fire dynamics research and operational learning into clear, evidence-based tactical techniques and practical micro-teaches for firefighters. From BE-SAHF, exterior and interior fire attack, flow rates, hose management and anti-ventilation through to operational assurance, doctrine and incident command, Dan explains the ambition to create a more consistent national approach to what good looks like on the fireground — and how the same model could ultimately extend into wildfire, road traffic collision, extrication and wider operational practice. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website PBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional Clothing MSA The Safety Company JAFCO DELTA FIRE Send us Fan Mail Support the show ***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew