Pete Wakefield

Firefighter Podcast

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 responde...

Author

Pete Wakefield

Category

Education

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

#266 Can Neurodiversity hold the key to progress & innovation in the Fire service with Miriam Heppel 09.12.2023

Miriam is an Experienced Human Resources Director with a demonstrated history of working in the Public Sector including Fire & Rescue, NHS, public safety and health industries and Is passionate about the benefits that neurodiversity can bring to our organisations. Skilled in HR Business Partnership, People Management, Training Delivery, Recruitment, Employee and Industrial Relations, Managemen...

#265 PPE standards PFAS and what you need to know about the firekit your wearing with David Matthews 07.12.2023

What do you really know about the Firefighting PPE you wear every day ? More worryingly how qualified and informed do you think the individuals in your service tasked with choosing this PPE are ? David is recognised as the UK lead for PPE standards and also a World Class Negotiator, Chairing International, European and British Committees, for all PPE standards. Today we discuss the evolution of Fi...

#264 Richard Dunbar 04.12.2023

Richard currently works as a Vehicle Fire Investigation & Alternative Fuelled Vehicle Incident Response specialist & Managing director of NIMBUS FIRE. From 1965-1976 he went from a Junior Fireman to Chief Instructor at his the Brigade Training school then transitioned to become a Police sergeant from 1976-1988 "on the beat" before working in the Traffic Division on traffic intell...

#263 Leadership, culture & how to have difficult conversations with James Coomber 27.11.2023

James is a former watch commander in the UK Fire & Rescue service who now helps individuals and organisations as a Leadership coach, Facilitator, Keynote speaker with a drive to help Chang workplace culture through effective leadership We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY with every episode ever made & also get access t...

#262 Safer Smarter Deeper Learning with Dr James Mullins of FLAIM 20.11.2023

Today I'm speaking with James about Immersive training environments to help prepare those who serve in the first responder community. James is Chief Technology Officer at FLAIM Systems and Founding Researcher constantly finding new ways to enhance our virtual training capabilities for first responders as well as other sectors. As a third-generation firefighter in rural Victoria, Australia, Ja...

#261 What every professional Firefighter needs to know about Fire & Vehicle Investigation with Martin Lown UK's Leading SME 13.11.2023

Martin is one of the UK leads in Fire & Vehicle Investigation. He served 30 years in the UK Fire & Rescue Service (Senior Officer and Fire Investigation Officer) stating he always endeavoured to demonstrate the seven principles of public life; selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. He is now Managing Director of Phoenix Forensic Service Prov...

Behind the scenes & Inside the Culture - Our visit to GORE 10.11.2023

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...

The answer to Functional Hydration for First responders & Tactical athletes from the soldier who became a business maverick 09.11.2023

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...

#260 Show me the bodies - How We Let Grenfell Happen with Author Peter Apps 06.11.2023

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...

#259 Dominik Wellmann Managing Director at The Fire Service College 30.10.2023

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...

#258 Firefighter Apprentiships Assessing to the standard and the new breed of firefighter with Jim Clitheroe 23.10.2023

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...

#257 From Soldier to Station Manager with Gary Devonport 16.10.2023

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...

#256 John Lord - Immersive Training, Firefighter Cancer & Understanding the here, now & beyond 09.10.2023

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...

#255 The TRUTH about UK Wildfires & The Danger to Firefighters & the Public 02.10.2023

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...

#254 Culture, Emotional Intelligence & the Privilege of being a firefighter with Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Billing 25.09.2023

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...

#253 The Role of Data Science in the Future of Fire and Rescue with Apollo Gerolymbos 18.09.2023

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...

INSIDE GORE - What I learnt from my time with the Team at Gore-Tex 15.09.2023

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...

#252 The Last of the Dinosaurs with retired Firefighter & Officer Dave Hodge 13.09.2023

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...

#251 Truth, Culture & Getting to the Heart of the Problem with Shaun Keep & Paul Adams from SAY SO 10.09.2023

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...

#250 Andy Kirk - Incident command, the decision vortex and preserving common sense 03.09.2023

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...

#249 Effective Command with Dr Katherine Lamb 27.08.2023

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...

#248 Mountains, Mindset & The National 3 Peaks in 24 hours 24.08.2023

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...

#247 How to reduce your likelihood of getting cancer as a Firefighter with James Meredith from Stoke and Vent 19.08.2023

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...

#246 British Firefighter Challenge 2023 with Jack Baker & Matt Adams 12.08.2023

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...

#245 James Geering - Lessons from a Podcaster & Life Behind the Shield 05.08.2023

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...

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