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

#326 Incident command, Managing Big Jobs & What to consider with Dan Stephens 13.09.2024

Today we welcome returning guest Dan Stephens back onto the podcast as we discuss Incident command, managing big and small incidents & the principles, tactics, considerations and models available to commanders in the UKFRS. Dan walks us through some of the incidents he has attended and taken command off and the approaches he adopted that he feels have served him and other colleagues well &...

#325 Change Management & The Complexity of Change with Stephen Carver 09.09.2024

STEPHEN CARVER B.Sc M.Sc C.Eng EurIng FIRM FAPM - is rated as one of the top 3 lecturers at one of Europe’s top MBA Business Schools. He has a reputation of taking complex management concepts such as Project, Programme and Crisis Management and being able to distil them down, into highly informative and fun lectures - often using “storytelling” techniques. His attitude is “if you haven’t done it –...

#323 Antarctic Fire Angels: The Great World Race 777 06.09.2024

Returning guests George & Bex from The Antarctic Fire Angels Both wholetime fire fighters with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) and Mid & West Wales Fire Service (MAWWFS) respectively come on to discuss there next big challenge THE GREAT WORLD RACE 777 following them successfully skiing from Union Glacier to Constellation Inlet and to the South Pole in 52 days, 10 hours and 30 m...

#322 Mental Health, 999:RESET, Ben Nevis and Reframing Success 05.09.2024

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 HERE their Twitter is HERE Also on the episode is Siobhan AKA "The Fire Mum" who you can find HERE We hope t...

#321 Gerard Mann Leadership Resiliency Mindset & Culture 02.09.2024

Gerard Mann is an experienced Leading Firefighter, Instructor & international conference speaker from Melbourne Australia. You can contact Gerard through his Linkedin HERE We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publica...

#320 TABLET COMMAND with Andy Bozzo & Will Pigeon 26.08.2024

Tablet Command provides the industry-leading Mobile CAD, emergency incident response and management solution to more than 25,000 users and 600 public safety agencies across the United States and Canada. Tablet Command software solutions enhance safety and operational efficiency for emergency responders on the ground by providing comprehensive, real-time information under a single pane of glass. Ta...

#319 NOW & NEXT with Pete & Carl 22.08.2024

Carl Boasman first appeared on the podcast back in episode #301 Leadership & The Impact we have on others. Since then Carl has come onbaord with the podcast team supporting on our strataegic partnership work and in today episode we are talk about: - Carl joining the podcast - Reflections on the growth and guests from the podcast - A look at the NOW & NEXT that's happening in the secto...

#318 Professor Paul Christensen Recharged - Specialist Consultant for Lithium Ion Battery Safety 19.08.2024

Professor Paul Christensen is a subject matter expert & Consultant on all aspects of lithium-ion battery safety including fire detection and suppression. He is Senior Advisor to the National Fire Chiefs Council & lead for continuing Professional Development on lithium-ion battery safety across the sector covering basic lithium-ion battery science and technology, thermal runaway and consequ...

#317 Ben Levy UK strategic lead for Fires in Tall Buildings at the National Fire Chiefs Council 12.08.2024

Ben Levy is a highly experienced senior manager at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. During his 28-year career as a firefighter and officer he has gained significant operational experience. He has held a wide range of leadership positions, with a primary focus on operational command, safety, technical advice, assurance, and research and development. As the strategic lead for Fires in Tal...

#316 Josh Burchick Forged & Unbroken 06.08.2024

Joshua Burchick is a Captain with Howard County (MD) Department of Fire & Rescue Services, and has served with HCFR since early 2004.  Additionally, he has served with the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department in Prince Georges County, MD. He is a trainer for the IAFF’s Fire Ground Survival Program, is an ACE certified Peer Fitness Trainer and nationally accredited CrossFit trainer.  He holds a B...

#315 British Firefighter Challenge 2024 ROUND UP 02.08.2024

A round up episode about The British Firefighter Challenge 2024. The event, athletes, sponsors and medal winner. Find out more about the BFC HERE We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our...

#314 The Who, What, How & Why The Firefighters Podcast started - Sarah Bromley Interviews founder & Host Pete Wakefield 25.07.2024

In today episode we are giving into a long standing request which has become more frequent lately and we have UKFRS serving Watch Commander & member of the podcast team Sarah Bromley Interviewing the founder & Host of the firefighters podcast Pete Wakefield asking about the Who, What, How & Why The Firefighters Podcast got started. We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast...

#313 The Firefighters Charity with Joss Gaynor & Steve Sadler 22.07.2024

Today my guests are Joss Gaynor from The Firefighters Charity & Steve Sadler from Re-enkindle specialising in Fire Service Research. We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners...

#312 IFIW and the international perspective with Mike Stachowicz 16.07.2024

Today returning guest and friend of the podcast Mike Stachowicz from the UKFRS as we discuss his recent trip to International Fire Instructor’s Workshop IFIW. The next IFIW in 2025 will be in Denver, Colorado. We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription...

CHANGE - Embracing, Embedding and Managing through it with Louise Diffey at WFS 2024 11.07.2024

Today I'm speaking with Louise Diffey from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue service about how we Embrace, Embed and Manage through the ever changing landscape of the First responders working life and also discuss mental models that are useful when thinking about how we manage change in our own lives as well. This episode was recorded at the 22nd annual Woman In The Fire Service...

#311 High Rise Firefighting with Brent Brooks 08.07.2024

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE My guest today is Brent Brooks who is an international speaker and hands on instructor. He teaches High Rise Tactics and large diameter hose movements. Brent is currently a Captain with Toronto Fire Services. His 29 year career with firefighting start...

#310 The World of Search & Rescue with Dave O'Neill MBE part 2 of 2 01.07.2024

This is our follow up from #308 - the second part episode with Dave O'Neill MBE. Dave retired from London Fire Brigade as AC of Special Projects in October of 2023 following an incredible career spanning 3 decades in the UK Fire & Rescue Service. In the 2021 New Years Honours he was awarded an MBE for masterminding the fire service support to the Ambulance service and PMART (the multi age...

#309 Debrief: The Smithfield Market Fire January 23rd 1958 26.06.2024

In the early hours of Thursday 23rd January 1958, local firefighters arrived at the Smithfield Meat Market. By the time the blaze was finally contained, days later, two members of the London Fire Brigade were dead and a further twenty-six firefighters were hospitalised. This incident, which was instrumental in modernising firefighters' breathing apparatus and breathing apparatus procedures, p...

#308 The World of Search & Rescue with Dave O'Neill MBE Part 1 of 2 24.06.2024

Dave O'Neill MBE retired from London Fire Brigade as AC of Special Projects in October of 2023 following an incredible career spanning 3 decades in the UK Fire & Rescue Service. In the 2021 New Years Honours he was awarded an MBE for masterminding the fire service support to the Ambulance service and PMART (the multi agency response to covid related deaths at home). He finished his career...

#307 Incident Command Development Team at WFS 2024 17.06.2024

This episode was recorded at the 22nd annual Woman In The Fire Service with the Incident command team leading on the multi incident scenarios and developing firefighters and commanders. Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS) was set up in the 1990s with its purpose of Enabling and inspiring confident and successful women to build a more progressive Fire and Rescue Service. You Can find Siobhan on Inst...

The Diabetes Epidemic & How its affecting first responders with Kate Walker 15.06.2024

10 June to Sunday 16 June is National Diabetes Week - Type 2 diabetes is a national health emergency in the UK. For every 1,000 employees, 82 have diabetes, 20 of these do not know they have the condition – the majority of people have no symptoms when they are diagnosed. Given how much time we spend at work, workplaces are a significant factor in our personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes and...

Siobhan AKA The Fire Mum at WFS 2024 12.06.2024

Siobhan is a 38 year old mother of 2 and more recently a firefighter in London Fire Brigade. Whilst going through her application process she realised there was no one explicitly sharing their journey through the training process in the fire service. This is why she set up thefiremum . She wanted to create a safe space where she can share her journey, any tips along the way and allow others to ask...

#306 TELSTAR HOUSE DEBRIEF - LONDON 2003 with Chris Westfield 10.06.2024

Chris Westfield started his Fire service career in 2003 whereby within the same year he was involved in a near death experience operationally at what became known as the TELSTAR HOUSE fire. A 20 Pump High-rise Fire; Telstar House was located on Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London. It’s an office building that was constructed during the late 60’s, the building did not have a sprinkler installati...

#305 Welsh Firefighter Challenge Event Debrief 2024 05.06.2024

The Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a regional sporting event run alongside The British Firefighter Challenge. It is for both serving and retired firefighters. Held annually, the Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a set of gruelling physical and mental tests designed to showcase the skills and strength of firefighters. It’s an opportunity to come together as a community, to support and celebrate each o...

#304 Manchester Arena Bombing Debrief & lessons learned with John Fletcher 03.06.2024

 At just after 22:30hrs on Monday 22nd May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised device at the Manchester Arena in the UK where around 14,000 people, mainly teenagers and family, had travelled from across the UK to attend the concert of Ariana Grande. The bomb killed twenty-two people including many children. Over one hundred were physically injured and many more suffered psychological an...

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