Firefighter Podcast

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 t...

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...

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, fi...

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 Internat...

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...

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 increa...

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...

 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 tec...

“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 Leadershi...

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...

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 confl...

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 the...

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, co...

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...

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, an...

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 Eas...

Today’s we explore what it means to live with strength, service, and purpose. with a man who represents all of that and then some. Frank Boniello is not just a firefighter. He’s not just a U.S. Air Force member. And he’s not just strong. He is officially the World’s Strongest Firefighter 2025 . Today we share the story behind the podium. Behind the gold-plated fire axe. Behind the lifting platform...

In this episode, I sit down with Sal Naseem . A powerful voice on racism, resilience, and truth. From growing up as a Scottish Pakistani Muslim in Kilmarnock to challenging injustice at the highest levels of UK institutions, Sal’s story is raw and remarkable. His early life was marked by violence, survival, and a front-row seat to systemic failures from machete attacks at his family’s shop to witn...

In this solo episode I explore a quiet but powerful undercurrent in the UK Fire and Rescue Service: low agency and learned helplessness. Speaking not from a podium but shoulder to shoulder with every member of the service - we confront the cultural forces that stifle voice, innovation, and change. Why do so many of us feel stuck, unheard, or disconnected from the power to make a difference?  We un...

In this first episode from our trip to the Netherlands, I had the privilege of joining leading fire service professionals at the Nederlands Instituut Publieke Veiligheid (NIPV) to explore the latest in smoke cooling experiments. Building on the foundation of the “Smoke Cooling and Nozzle Techniques” report, this phase of research brought together international experts to challenge long-held assump...

Phill Matthews is a former wholetime firefighter turned online coach, specializing in helping serving and aspiring firefighters enhance their fitness and performance. Through his platform, Fighting Fire Fit, he has assisted hundreds in achieving their health and career goals. After finishing active duty, Phill is now channelling his experience and passion fulltime into coaching serving and aspirin...

Today were talking hazardous materials, detection technology, and how it’s reshaping our work in the fire and rescue services. Joining me is Dr. Mark L. Norman , a Senior Field Applications Scientist at 908 Devices and a leading subject matter expert in optical detection technologies. With over 20 years of experience in hazmat detection systems for emergency response, Mark brings both scientific e...

In this powerful episode, we revisit the tragic events of July 13, 2013, when Firefighter Stephen Hunt of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service lost his life at the Paul’s Hair and Beauty World fire in Manchester. Drawing on published investigation reports, inquest findings, and conversations with those who attended the incident, we piece together a detailed timeline of events and examine the...

Final episode in our PGI Particulate Protection & Decontamination Seminar Series. So far, we've heard powerful stories from families, survivors, and advocates within the firefighting community. Today, we shift focus to innovation and action. Joining me is Jo Taylor MBE, founder of De-Wipe —a company dedicated to developing scientifically backed decontamination solutions that help reduce t...

Welcome back to the Decontamination Seminar Series. Today, we continue that journey with two remarkable voices from within the firefighting community—Robbie Burns and Michelle O'Toole. Both are cancer survivors. Both are advocates. And both have first-hand insight into the physical and mental toll of battling cancer as part of the firefighting community. This episode is a raw, honest, and dee...