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

#097 Clive Bush & The Rope World within the Emergency services sector 05.09.2021

My guest today Clive Bush is a Police Constable, Lead Public Order Trainer, Lead Rope Access Instructor, Rope Rescue Instructor & part of the ASSAR Tech Rope Team in the UK. To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE Follow the podcast on Youtube Facebook Instagram A big thanks to the support of our partners for being part of th...

#096 Firefighter Functional Fitness with authors Jim moss & Dan Kerrigan 29.08.2021

In today's episode i speak with Jim moss & Dan Kerrigan authors of Firefighter Functional Fitness. Firefighter Functional Fitness is the essential guide to optimal firefighter performance and longevity. It provides all firefighters with the knowledge, mindset, and tools to: -Maximize their fire ground performance -Reduce their risk of injury and experiencing a line-of-duty death -Live a l...

#095 Jimmy Johnson - Front Line lessons in Life & Leadership from a Las Vegas Firefighter, Father, Mentor and Eternal student 22.08.2021

From the Marines to the Police department to the Las Vegas Fire ground Jimmy Johnson has accumulated an incredible array of experience and knowledge which he shares with us on today's episode. Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE Follow the pod...

#094 Alan Knell & The Firefighters Charity 15.08.2021

The Fire Fighters Charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives. My guest today is Alan Knell Community, Corporate and Events Fundraiser for The Fire Fighters Charity. The charity exists to support the mental, physical and social needs of all serving and retir...

#093 Bridgend Extrication Team - Specialising in Extrication 08.08.2021

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service based Bridgend Extrication Team are multiple times World Champions and National Champions in extrication and rescue challenges and today I speak with team members Shaun Moody, Roger Magan, Rob Buckley & Les Evans. The World Rescue organisation (WRO) is a partner of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration and its member organizations represent the five c...

#092 Fire Magazine & Fire Knowledge with Andrew Lynch 01.08.2021

My Guest today Andrew represents Fire Knowledge  & also Editor & Publisher of FIRE magazine which  has been the trusted voice of fire and emergency since 1908, bringing you all the latest news, views, technological, legal and policy developments to affect the Fire and Rescue Service. It campaigns to improve public and firefighter safety by informing, educating, challenging and supporting f...

#091 Walking the Walk not just Talking the Talk with Firefighter & World record holder Charlie Thompson 25.07.2021

Returning Guest to the podcast Firefighter Charlie is a great example of someone who doesn't just "Talk the talk" but has stuck on his full fire kit (including fire boots) and walked the walk right into the Guinness world record books completing the Furthest Distance in Full Fire Kit including Fire Boots whilst carrying 22kgs of Breathing Apparatus within 24hrs. This challenge was a...

#090 Tara Cornett - Personal Health & Wellbeing for Front line Firefighters with FLAME NATURAL DECON 18.07.2021

If you had to select the current hottest topic in the fire service, cancer prevention would be near the top of the list. The data and statistics are both scary and undeniable: Cancer is spreading throughout the fire service membership at an alarming rate. My guest today is Tara Cornett. Tara is a U.S. Navy Veteran, Fire Sister, and Founder/CEO of FLAME. Tara created FLAME when she realized that fi...

#089 Paul Combs - Drawn by Fire 10.07.2021

My guest today is Paul Combs Paul is an Illustrator, cartoonist, retired firefighter officer, instructor, author of the three books, USO volunteer entertainer, leadership advisor, and keynote speaker. you can find out more about Paul, view and purchase his work and books by visiting https://paulcombsart.com/ Get notified of each episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE To learn more about...

#088 Ross Neethling - THE WAR VET - from Soldier to Veterinarian 03.07.2021

Today I was lucky to speak with and acknowledge Ross Neethling who is another one of our incredible front line workers who after leaving his role as a royal marine retrained to become a qualified Veterinarian  and shares with us:- Some of the eye-opening conditions animals live in these war-torn countries What inspired him to retrain and revisit these countries again with his new skills set to try...

#087 Kara Judd - St. Florian Fitness, Leadership Fundamentals & Becoming a First in your Department 27.06.2021

Kara is Firefighter/EMT and Fitness Instructor who is passionate about helping first responders (and others!) get fit, stay fit and be inspired! She was the first-ever female Lieutenant in her department and we discuss many of the realities of being a female leader in a male-dominated sector The scary statistic that 51% of LODDs (Line of duty deaths) are cardiac-related has inspired Kara to spread...

#086 GODIVA - Serving the firefighting community worldwide with Laeticia Mace & Craig Reeves 20.06.2021

Today's guests are Laeticia Mace & Craig Reeves representing world leader in fire pump design and manufacture GODIVA who are Considered the industry-standard product in the UK and the Largest Global Sales Team in the industry. Dedicated factory resources in the following regions: North American, South America, Europe, Africa & Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Find out more by visiting t...

#085 Ben Vessey - Being a Royal Marine in Life & Business 12.06.2021

Ben began his military career as a royal marine joining as a teenager and in today's episode, we discuss the various aspects of the physical and mental disciplines and habits that have enabled Ben to become a successful operator and go on to develop himself in other aspects of the military which for obvious reasons we do not discuss in-depth in today's podcast. Recognizing the value and...

#084 Nathan Ashe Dealing with Change, Handling Challenge & Supporting the Firefighters Charity 05.06.2021

In this episode, Nathan and I discuss different aspects of his career and experiences in the fire brigade including. The great work of London fire brigade dealing with challenging incidents Different learning styles including his challenge with a late dyslexia diagnosis and how this affected his development charity work and overcoming fears around public speaking operational tactics different lead...

#083 The Success that comes with every TRIUMPH with Jonny Garrett of William Wood Watches 30.05.2021

The family at William Wood Watches are long-term Brothers and sisters of the podcast. In this episode, we discuss how to be consistent and build on launching a successful, profitable and continually growing company operating in the emergency services sector as well as the wider market sector. Since our last talk with Jonny, the company ventured into the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, 1,000km above...

#082 Not Easily Swayed - Reflecting on The Good, The Bad & The Ugly aspects of the Fire Service with retired firefighter Gary Chamberlain 23.05.2021

Today I speak with Retired Firefighter Gary Chamberlain. Gary was a career firefighter and competitive martial artist and is now a published author. Get notified of each episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE Follow the podcast on Facebook & Instagram A big thanks to the supp...

#081 Heroes wear HAIX with Simon Ash 14.05.2021

Firefighters as well as all front-line workers often need to put themselves in harm’s way when they go out on rescue missions.  HAIX  boots are the best on the market as an innovative and high-tech manufacturer HAIX meets the highest standards of functionality, quality, and design. Their objective is nothing less than to offer the best shoes in the world! Firefighters in the UK, Los Angeles, New Y...

#080 Simon Thompson - The Physical Resilience & Psychological Strength of the 44k Optimist 08.05.2021

My guest today is Simon Thompson Group Commander in Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue service. He had the goal to complete 44597 press up's by the 4th May 2021. 44597 is the total number of uniformed and support staff that work in the various fire and rescue services in England. The 4th of May is an important date for firefighters as it is firefighter memorial day. To complete this on average he...

#079 Stewart Sparling, The Treble One Trust & The story of the emergency services Family 06.05.2021

My Guests today are Lewis, Caitlin, and Angie Sparling as we discuss the story of father and Husband Stewart Sparling and The Treble One Trust The Treble One Trust was named after the collar number of MND suffer, Police Sergeant Stewart Sparling and represents One life, One chance to live it, One day at a time. The charity was formed by Stewart as there is little or no funding for specialist equip...

#078 Josephine Reynolds - FIRE WOMAN - the first full-time female firefighter in the UK 30.04.2021

My Guest today is Josephine Reynolds who is such an incredibly passionate, driven and free spirit who has pursued adventures that has seen her become a Firefighter / Speaker / Advocate / Author / Change Agent and today we discuss many things including FIRE WOMAN which is Josephine Reynolds' extraordinary story. For personalized copies of Fire Woman, just follow the shop link fire-woman.sumup....

#077 Alider Pratts Leadership, Passion & Promotional Prep 27.04.2021

My Guest today is Battalion Chief Alider Pratts, Chief of Rescue Services and Rescue Task Force Coordinator, UASI Metro-USAR Incident Command Team, NJDFS-Fire Treat TaskForce & RTF Committee Chair & Fire & Emergency Training  & Management, Consultant based in New-Jersey USA. During our chat today we talk about: Personal and professional development  Leadership  Being ready for prom...

#076 Ruth Lee Ltd - FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO SAVE LIVES with Sarah Hampson & Stuart Cheetham 21.04.2021

My guests today are Sarah Hampson & Stuart Cheetham from Ruth Lee Ltd Ruth Lee Ltd is a world-leading provider of life-like manikins and training aids to rescue training experts worldwide: Fire & Rescue Services, Paramedics, Ministry of Defence, Airports, National Lifeboat Institutions & Coastguards, Offshore operators and a multitude of International Search & Rescue organizations....

#075 35 years in FDNY from Probie to Chief & from the Fire Academy to Ground zero with Dan Melia 14.04.2021

My guest today is Retired New York City Fire Department Battalion Chief Dan Melia. In today's episode we discuss: His experiences from 35 years in FDNY His involvement in the tragic events of the 911 attacks Firefighter mentality and "the firefighter family" The importance of professionalism, a focus on training, giving and receiving feedback, and the "life" cost of not le...

#073 Matt Fulcher & The Fitness Brigade 05.04.2021

Matt is a UK-based Professional Firefighter, father & entrepreneur. Today we discuss all things........ Health Fitness Weightlifting Performance-enhancing drugs (PED) Nutrition Setbacks Work, family, fire service, and fitness "balance"  The world of competitive Natural Bodybuilding Get notified of each episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE If you have taken value from any...

#074 Brent DeNure & Vintage Fire Truck Equipment 05.04.2021

Brent is my guest today and he represents Vintage Fire Truck & Equipment magazine who are devoted to the history and preservation of all manner of firefighting apparatus. Get notified of each episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE If you have taken value from any of our episodes and would like to support the future growth of The Firefighters Podcast then you can do so by clicking HE...

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