Firefighter Podcast

Back in June of 2023 I visited the GORE team out in Germany. Going behind the scenes at their European manufacturing base I got to meet the high-performing team & culture. I also got some very rare access to experience the testing of a whole range of products that benefit from the GORE-TEX moisture barriers that protect all of us in fire services around the world. Find out more about the visit...

Finally an answer to Functional Hydration for First responders & Tactical athletes My guest today is Dave Hamlet , a visionary founder of LyfeLinez started his career in the military at 16 and dedicating seven years to serving his country. At 25, he transitioned into the fast-paced world of FMCG, where he achieved a decade of triumphs contributing to the success of iconic brands such as Gatora...

It is hardly possible to admit it. That the biggest tower block fire in UK history was preventable. The government had been warned for years that the building materials were not fire safe. Up until 14 June 2017, ministers' response had always been: ‘Show me the bodies.’ My guests today is Award-winning journalist Peter Apps who in his award winning book weaves poignant survivor testimony with...

Dominik Wellmann is the Managing Director at The Fire Service College with 20 years plus of in-depth expertise in business transformation. The UK's Fire Service College (owned by Capita plc) is the world's leading national resilience training and education college with more than 15,000 learners per year from all over the world from their 320 acre site in Moreton-in-Marsh.  They train all...

Jim Clitheroe is a Firefighter Development subject matter expert, with experience both developing Apprentices and competent firefighters. Currently a Business Relationship Manager who achieved OFQUAL recognition last year with the End Point Assessment Partnership between the NFCC and Cornwall Fire & Rescue.  He currently manages competent Independent End Point Assessors from Fire & Rescue...

Gary is a serving station manager in UK Fire & Rescue. He served 6 years as an infantry soldier before moving in to the fire service and has now served 17 years as firefighter, training instructor, operational officer. Gary has a wide range of knowledge and information, including fire behaviour, flow paths & tactical ventilation and led some of the implementation plans from the Grenfell to...

John  Lord retired as a station manager with Lancashire Fire & Rescue and has over 32 years of operational experience. He is now Training specialist in Incident Management & Fire Studio simulation software with his company SimTrainer UK.  Today we discuss many aspects of the sector including: Cancer in firefighting and Johns personal story as he and his wife were diagnosed with Cancer afte...

The number of wildfires in the UK more than tripled in the year 2022 compared to the the number that took place in 2021. Up to August 2022, there were 745 wildfires in the UK – more than three times the total figure of 247 for all of 2021 and this figure is only going in one direction. Today I am joined by Craig Hope who is a Group Manager in the UKFRS & wildfire tactical advisor & alongsi...

Kathryn is the Chief Fire Officer for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. Kathryn joined Cornwall County Fire Brigade in 1999 as a retained firefighter and was successful in the wholetime recruitment in 2001. Since then she has operated across most functions and locations of her service including training and many more. We are trying to commit more time and resource to make the podcast a lasting res...

Apollo Gerolymbos is a digital, data and technology leader with experience in finance, the arts, market research and the emergency services sectors.  He is part of the London Fire Brigade as the Head of Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting Leading a multidisciplinary team of 15 people covering data analytics, insight and reporting relating to all the LFB’s activities.  Today you learn: What is...

Back in June this year our very own Pete visited the GORE team out in Germany. Going behind the scenes at their European manufacturing base he got to meet the people behind the high-performance culture as well as the GORE-TEX moisture barriers that protect him and all of us in fire services around the world. Over the coming week there will be some videos going out on theirs YouTube channel. We wan...

Dave Hodge recently retired from an incredible career in the fire service. Born in Scotland & grew up Australia Dave joined the fire service later than expected given how much he squeezed into his career. Through the firefighter exchange program he ended up working 30 years made  up of 15 year stints in  fire and rescue services on opposite sides of the world whilst also going on exchange 3 ti...

Shaun & Paul come from a background is complex investigations, standards checking, codes of practice compliance and quality assurance. They have experience of taking witness statements and conducting interviews to criminal law standards (the highest legal standard of proof 'beyond reasonable doubt'). In particular, they have significant experience of managing sensitive information (u...

Andy Kirk is a highly experienced retired officer in the UK Fire service who now teaches incident commanders with a specialist knowledge in MTA awareness training through his company Centurion Command as well as a variety of other skillsets to first responders and others in related sectors. In todays conversation we cover many aspects including: Experiencing a real backdraft common sense in the fi...

Most organisation would like to believe they support and empower their leaders, commanders & first responders to make efficient and effective decisions, use discretion, apply a risk-based approach and provide the organisation with both competency-based assurance and operational accountability.  But how do you ensure that these front line leaders and the teams they work within, can operate safe...

We recently went and undertook The National 3 Peaks 24 hour challenge with Elite Adventures with some ex-military, marines and most importantly some great friends. Climbing can be hard, but it's the most rewarding thing many of us have ever done. It takes us to places of incredible beauty, and it challenges us to find untapped reserves of strength and resourcefulness. It's also just plai...

James is a UK firefighter, writer & champions firefighter health, sharing knowledged and to reduce the likelihood of getting cancer over the course of their careers through his platform Stoke & Vent. There has been a lot of progress, awareness and guidance come out about FIREFIGHTER CANCER since James first came on the podcast. Today we cover over some of the recent case studies, data and...

Today I'm talking with Firefighters Jack Baker & Matt Adams who both competed at this years British Firefighter Challenge Jack was the fastest Male in the 18-29 category and also won the entire competition with his time of 02:14:09 taking home the trophy, gold medal and a second William Woods Watch as the now reigning champion. Matt took second place in Male in the 18-29 category with his...

Today i catch up with my good friend, retired firefighter and fellow podcaster James Geering. James runs the Behind The Shield Podcast based in the US and you find more information about him by visiting the podcasts website HERE Find out more about the Human Performance Project HERE Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew A big thanks to our partners...

Today im joined by Ed Sullivan who is the Hazardous Materials Lead at Ricardo - National Chemical Emergency Centre & Andrew Barnes who is an Incident Management Specialist at Environment Agency You can connect with Ed HERE You can connect with Andy HERE Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episo...

As a civil engineer Michael Reick started to work at the University of Stuttgart and at their fire testing and research laboratory. As a volunteer fire fighter he started the training for the career fire service and worked as a regional fire chief.  In 2004 Michael Reick used his study leave to perform computational fluid calculations about positive pressure ventilation. His aim was to prevent smo...

How much do you know about High Visibility ? Do you know what you could be wearing to keep you safe and ensure you get seen &  found when perhaps your life depends on it. Luke Evdemon talk to us about Reflective & Phosphorescent Technology and his work as part of  Viz Reflectives. Viz Reflectives are Innovators and experts in reflective and phosphorescent technology. Find out more about Vi...

999 RE:SET is a charity based in Scotland creating weekend experiences for First responder Mental & physical wellbeing in the outdoors. You can find more information and book onto their upcoming weekend where the podcast will be in attendance on their platforms below Instagram - https://instagram.com/999_reset?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  Twitter - https://twitter.com/999_reset?s=21&t=mg8CEVqs...

Dawn Whittaker is the Chief Fire Officer for East Sussex Fire & rescue service. During our chat today we discuss her journey into the emergency services as well as her incredible knowledge and experience outside of the sector. Her mantra is to improve the performance of organisations through people and well managed change. For more information on some of the topics discussed please see links b...

The Podcast team recently attended a 2 week fire behaviour Instructor course at the largest and most renowned fire training facility in the UK. Some of the incredible Instructors leading the course included: Steve Luke Dave Payton John MacDonald At the end of the course Pete & Sarah sat down with Steve Luke to discuss some of the key learnings from the course as well as some of the misconcepti...