Firefighter Podcast
- Folgen
- 510
- Erscheint
- mehrmals pro Woche
- Letzte Folge
- 12. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Bringing together voices from across the global fire and emergency services community to share experience, challenge thinking and help firefighters grow.
Hosted by serving UK firefighter and instructor Pete Wakefield, this award-winning podcast explores operational practice, leadership, research and personal development through honest, wide-ranging conversations.
Real experience. Useful lessons. A lasting resource for today’s firefighters and the generations that follow.
Mitwirkende
Folgen 510
#524 Owners, Renters & Squatters: Are We Giving Good Firefighters Reasons to Stop Caring ?
We all want a watch that gets stuck in. People who check the kit properly, help the newer firefighter and leave things ready for the next crew. But what happens when the way we lead makes those same people …
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We all want a watch that gets stuck in. People who check the kit properly, help the newer firefighter and leave things ready for the next crew. But what happens when the way we lead makes those same people think, “Why do I bother?”
In this episode, I’m talking about owners, renters and squatters. Who’s helping the watch get better? Who’s just getting through the shift? And who keeps leaving their share for someone else to sort?
I’m pulling together things I’ve learned from guests, thoughts I’ve shared in the Size-Up Briefing and a few lessons I’m still learning as a watch manager. From being clear about what we’re asking to sharing the jobs fairly, giving people room to get on with things and having that awkward chat we’ve been avoiding.
We depend on each other on the fireground. That trust gets built through what we do every day back at the station.
And before we start putting names into categories, we need to leave a space for ourselves.
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
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#523 Preparing Firefighters to Lead | Michael Elhihi
Preparing for promotion is one challenge. Preparing to take responsibility for a crew is another. How do we develop both?Michael Elhihi, California company officer and founder of Front Seat Academy, joins me …
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Preparing for promotion is one challenge. Preparing to take responsibility for a crew is another. How do we develop both?
Michael Elhihi, California company officer and founder of Front Seat Academy, joins me for a conversation about firefighter promotion, leadership development and preparing for the responsibility of the front seat.
Michael’s work brings together promotional preparation, communication and Human Leadership. His starting point is a practical one: firefighters should be able to prepare for an assessment while continuing to develop the craft and the ability to lead people.
A conversation for aspiring officers, acting officers and anyone responsible for developing the next generation of fire service leaders.
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL
Front Seat Academy: https://frontseatacademy.com/
Courses: https://frontseatacademy.thinkific.com/collectionsTHE SIZE-UP BRIEFING Sign up for our weekly briefing
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VIDEO | YOUTUBE from Charlston Department
***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
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#522 DEBRIEF: Fire Behind the Showroom | The Charleston Nine | Sofa Super Store, South Carolina, USA 18 June 2007
On 18 June 2007, nine firefighters lost their lives at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, South Carolina. In this debrief, I follow the incident from the initial report through the developing fire, civilian …
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On 18 June 2007, nine firefighters lost their lives at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, South Carolina. In this debrief, I follow the incident from the initial report through the developing fire, civilian rescue and attempts to reach trapped firefighters. Drawing on the NIOSH investigation, NIST fire modelling and Charleston’s incident review, I explore concealed fire development, ventilation, water supply, breathing-air management, communications and command, with practical questions to take back to your watch. I remember the Charleston Nine and reflect on what we can learn from their loss to better support and protect firefighters today.
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VIDEO | YOUTUBE from Charlston Department
***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
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#521 The Job Takes Enough Keep, Your Health | Alex Gapper | Former Firefighter & Pumps and Plates Coach
The job takes enough. What are you doing to protect your health?Former firefighter Alex Gapper, the coach behind Pumps and Plates Coaching, joins Pete Wakefield for an honest conversation about firefighter …
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The job takes enough. What are you doing to protect your health?
Former firefighter Alex Gapper, the coach behind Pumps and Plates Coaching, joins Pete Wakefield for an honest conversation about firefighter fitness, disrupted routines and building a life you have the health to enjoy.
Busy tours, broken sleep, convenience food and missed workouts can knock anyone off course. Alex explains why trying to fix everything overnight often leads straight back to square one, and how to build a routine around the life you actually lead.
We also explore his decision to leave operational firefighting, the friction he experienced between his coaching content and his former service, and why he still wants to support the firefighting community.
CONNECT WITH ALEX Pumps and Plates Coaching
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#520 DEBRIEF: FIVE MINUTES TO COLLAPSE | The Stricker Street Fire | Baltimore, Maryland 2022
Five minutes from first arrival to collapse.On 24 January 2022, Baltimore firefighters responded to a fire at 205 South Stricker Street. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Kelsey Sadler and Kenneth “Kenny” Lacayo lost …
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Five minutes from first arrival to collapse.
On 24 January 2022, Baltimore firefighters responded to a fire at 205 South Stricker Street. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Kelsey Sadler and Kenneth “Kenny” Lacayo lost their lives. John McMaster was seriously injured.
In this episode of The Firefighters Podcast, we examine the incident through the decisions facing crews and commanders: the information available on arrival, the condition of the building, the assessment of risk and the transition into firefighter rescue.
The discussion explores building intelligence, structural collapse, command and the challenge of reassessing a developing incident. It also asks what firefighters, instructors and watch managers can take back to their own stations.
The purpose is to learn with respect for the people involved and to examine the systems that support operational decisions.
Use this episode to start a watch discussion: how would critical information about a dangerous building reach your first-arriving crew?
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Sources and further reading:
NIOSH investigation F2022-01: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257783
NIOSH investigation slides: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257804
USFA memorial record: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=5190***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#519 HELP IS ALREADY NEARBY: GOODSAM | One Link | Live Video | Before the blue lights arrive - Mark Wilson
What happens between someone calling 999 and the emergency services arriving and how much more could we do in that time?Professor Mark Wilson OBE, consultant neurosurgeon, pre-hospital emergency medicine doctor …
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What happens between someone calling 999 and the emergency services arriving and how much more could we do in that time?
Professor Mark Wilson OBE, consultant neurosurgeon, pre-hospital emergency medicine doctor and co-founder of GoodSAM, joins me to explore a system built around connecting people who need help with people capable of providing it.
Mark explains how the original idea grew from trauma care: could someone nearby reach an injured person quickly enough to open their airway? That thinking developed into cardiac arrest alerting, connecting nearby responders with opportunities to provide CPR and use a defibrillator while the ambulance is on its way.
The conversation then moves into live video, caller location and sharing information between control rooms and responders. Mark demonstrates how a simple link can connect a caller’s smartphone camera and location without requiring them to download an app.Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#518 DEBRIEF: Six Firefighters Trapped | Mendocino Complex 2018
Six firefighters. A rapidly advancing wildfire. And an escape route that suddenly disappeared.On 19 August 2018, firefighters working on California's Mendocino Complex were conducting a tactical firing …
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Six firefighters. A rapidly advancing wildfire. And an escape route that suddenly disappeared.
On 19 August 2018, firefighters working on California's Mendocino Complex were conducting a tactical firing operation designed to stop the spread of a major wildfire.
But as conditions deteriorated, a sudden wind shift and explosive fire development cut off their planned escape routes.
We explore:
- The background to the Mendocino Complex wildfire and the challenges facing responding crews.
- The tactical firing operation and the events leading to the entrapment.
- How rapidly changing fire behaviour compromised escape routes.
- Operational urgency, leadership and the pressure to complete an assignment.
- The importance of communication, clear briefings and shared situational awareness.
- Why firefighters need the confidence to challenge a plan when conditions change.
- Lessons that apply beyond wildfire incidents, including structural firefighting and incident command.
Further reading and original investigation DOWNLOAD HERE
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#517 Are We Making Firefighters Safer or Less Capable? | Chris Gott & Justin Brunner
Are We Training Firefighters Wrong? | Chris Gott & Justin BrunnerAre we genuinely developing better firefighters, or are we simply getting better at ticking boxes, completing assessments and documenting …
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Are We Training Firefighters Wrong? | Chris Gott & Justin Brunner
Are we genuinely developing better firefighters, or are we simply getting better at ticking boxes, completing assessments and documenting competence?
In this episode of The Firefighters Podcast, I sit down with Chris Gott and Justin Brunner for a fascinating conversation about the future of firefighter training, operational competence, leadership, artificial intelligence and how we can develop better decision-makers.
Connect with our guest here | Chris Gott | Justin Brunner
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#516 Culture on Fire: We Know the Problem - So Why Is Change So Hard
Why does meaningful change remain so difficult when decades of research, inspections and cultural reviews have already identified so many of the problems? In this episode, Im joined by Janette Morris, former …
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Why does meaningful change remain so difficult when decades of research, inspections and cultural reviews have already identified so many of the problems? In this episode, Im joined by Janette Morris, former senior fire and rescue leader and HMICFRS inspector; Dave Baigent, former firefighter and long-standing researcher of firefighter culture; and Leanne Allen, operational firefighter and researcher with experience internationally. Together, they challenge assumptions around leadership, inclusion, recruitment, accountability and the traditions that shape our profession, exploring what it might actually take to create lasting cultural change.
Leanne's presentation to Women and Firefighting Australasia https://youtu.be/JfLtwzoXbuo?feature=shared
Link to Leanne's research award -https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/firefighters-research-into-workplace-gender-disparities-earns-prestigious-kate-sheppard-award/
Website - www.cultureonfire.org
Dave's research/reports/resouces website - www.fitting-in.com
LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/company/culture-on-fire/
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#515 Beyond National Best Practice: Why Firefighting Needs Global Thinking with Dr Lori Moore-Merrell & Phil Garrigan
Recorded at the World Fire Congress 2026 in London, I sat down with Dr Lori Moore-Merrell, former US Fire Administrator and founding Chair of the World Fire Congress, and Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National …
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Recorded at the World Fire Congress 2026 in London, I sat down with Dr Lori Moore-Merrell, former US Fire Administrator and founding Chair of the World Fire Congress, and Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to explore some of the biggest challenges facing fire and rescue services around the world.
We discuss the growing threats of wildfire, extreme weather, operational pressures and funding challenges, alongside the importance of international collaboration and learning from major incidents. Lori shares why we must never waste the lessons of tragedy, while Phil reflects on the UK's changing risk profile and the need to influence meaningful change. We also explore the human impact of major disasters and the extraordinary challenges facing firefighters in conflict-affected nations.
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#514 Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: What Every Firefighter Needs to Know | Dr Stephen Kerber
Lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in almost every part of modern life, from mobile phones and power tools to electric vehicles, public transport and large-scale energy storage systems. But as this …
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Lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in almost every part of modern life, from mobile phones and power tools to electric vehicles, public transport and large-scale energy storage systems. But as this technology becomes more widespread, are fire and rescue services keeping pace with the risks?
Recorded live at the World Fire Congress 2026 in London, this episode of The Firefighters Podcast features Dr Stephen Kerber of UL Research Institutes and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), one of the leading voices in research-led firefighter safety.
Stephen explores the increasing operational challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries, the hazards that can emerge throughout their lifecycle and the diverse environments in which firefighters are now encountering them.
Of particular concern is the potential for flammable battery gases to accumulate within enclosed compartments, creating conditions for deflagration.
But this conversation is about more than understanding the hazards. It's about translating scientific research into better education, improved standards, more effective operational preparation and greater public awareness.
As lithium-ion technology continues to evolve, our understanding, training and response must evolve alongside it.
An important listen for firefighters, incident commanders, trainers, fire safety professionals and anyone involved in preparing our services for emerging risks.
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#513 Wildfire, AI & the Future of the UK Fire Service | London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith
Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I sat down with London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith for a conversation about some of the biggest challenges facing the modern Fire and Rescue …
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Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I sat down with London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith for a conversation about some of the biggest challenges facing the modern Fire and Rescue Service. We talk about what London learned after being caught out by the 2022 wildfires, how training and capability have changed since then, the need for greater national consistency and a future College of Fire, and how artificial intelligence could support operational decision-making without replacing the critical human element of incident command. We also look internationally at high-rise firefighting, robotics, smart buildings and specialist teams, and discuss why learning from fire and rescue services around the world is becoming increasingly important as the risks we face continue to evolve.
***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
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#512 The Future of Firefighter Health & Wellbeing | Professor Rowena Hill | World Fire Congress 2026
Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I caught up with my friend Professor Rowena Hill from Nottingham Trent University, who also chairs the NFCC Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and …
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Recorded at the 2026 World Fire Congress in Westminster, I caught up with my friend Professor Rowena Hill from Nottingham Trent University, who also chairs the NFCC Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research Board. In this conversation, we explore firefighter health and wellbeing through a much wider lens than physical fitness alone, looking at psychological and social health, resilience, moral injury, retirement and identity, and why I believe we need to become far better at preventing problems rather than simply responding once somebody reaches crisis. We also look at research from the UK and internationally, and talk about the wider role the modern Fire and Rescue Service can play in early intervention, problem-solving and supporting the communities we serve.
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#511 Beyond the Incident Command Assessment | Katherine Lamb
This conversation with Katherine Lamb, founder of Effective Command, explores what effective incident command really looks like beyond simply following procedure. We discuss professional judgement, risk-based …
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This conversation with Katherine Lamb, founder of Effective Command, explores what effective incident command really looks like beyond simply following procedure. We discuss professional judgement, risk-based decision-making, command competence, behavioural assessment and the difference between being qualified to command and being genuinely capable of making decisions under pressure.
Katherine also shares how the Effective Command approach is using data around command behaviours to identify recurring strengths and weaknesses, and why developing adaptable, thinking incident commanders is essential when real incidents rarely fit neatly into a textbook.
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#510 Beyond the Fire Kit: Innovation, Culture & Leadership | Simon Hunter
In this episode, I travelled to Northern Ireland to sit down with Simon Hunter and Chris Colgan with the team at Hunter Apparel Solutions for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of firefighter PPE …
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In this episode, I travelled to Northern Ireland to sit down with Simon Hunter and Chris Colgan with the team at Hunter Apparel Solutions for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of firefighter PPE, innovation, leadership and firefighter protection. We explore how modern fire kit is designed and developed, the growing understanding around contamination and decontamination, the responsibility manufacturers have to the firefighters wearing their products, and how listening directly to operational crews can drive meaningful change. The conversation also goes beyond PPE into the culture, values and leadership behind Hunter Apparel, offering a fascinating look inside a company working at the intersection of firefighter safety, technology and real-world operational need.
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#509 Rebuilding UK Firefighting Tactics, Training & Doctrine with Dan Stephens
Dan Stephens returns to The Firefighters Podcast to explore the next evolution of tactical firefighting in the UK. We discuss the work underway with the NFCC to turn decades of fire dynamics research and …
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Dan Stephens returns to The Firefighters Podcast to explore the next evolution of tactical firefighting in the UK. We discuss the work underway with the NFCC to turn decades of fire dynamics research and operational learning into clear, evidence-based tactical techniques and practical micro-teaches for firefighters. From BE-SAHF, exterior and interior fire attack, flow rates, hose management and anti-ventilation through to operational assurance, doctrine and incident command, Dan explains the ambition to create a more consistent national approach to what good looks like on the fireground — and how the same model could ultimately extend into wildfire, road traffic collision, extrication and wider operational practice.
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#508 Firefighter Cancer, Contaminants & What the Science Now Tells Us with Prof. Anna Stec
Professor Anna Stec is one of the leading voices in fire chemistry, toxicity and firefighter occupational health and in this episode we explore what the science is now telling us about the hidden health cost of …
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Professor Anna Stec is one of the leading voices in fire chemistry, toxicity and firefighter occupational health and in this episode we explore what the science is now telling us about the hidden health cost of firefighting. From her landmark UK firefighter contamination research and work with the Fire Brigades Union, to the Cancer and Disease Registry, firefighter health monitoring and internationally significant research following the Grenfell Tower fire, Anna explains what we now understand about occupational exposure, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, contamination through inhalation, skin and ingestion, and why simply reducing exposure is only part of the answer. We also discuss the major gaps that still exist in UK firefighter health data, why recording occupation and exposure matters, the need for consistent national health monitoring, and why the UK remains behind countries that already formally recognise occupational cancers in firefighters. This is essential listening for firefighters, fire-service leaders, retired personnel and anyone who cares about somebody working within the fire and rescue profession.
Connect with Professor Stec Here
FBU DECON: Fire Contaminants — main research, guidance and Registry hub
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#507 DEBRIEF When the Rescue Crew needs rescuing - Firefighter Fatality in DeKalb County Fire Rescue Georgia Sept 8th 2025
On 8 September 2025, DeKalb County Fire Rescue crews responded to a commercial warehouse fire in Georgia and quickly discovered that the building was not what it first appeared to be. Inside the …
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On 8 September 2025, DeKalb County Fire Rescue crews responded to a commercial warehouse fire in Georgia and quickly discovered that the building was not what it first appeared to be. Inside the 14,000-square-foot Type II-B warehouse was an unpermitted film studio made up of temporary rooms, props, furniture, plastics and foam materials, creating a complex internal maze and a very different risk profile from the exterior. As crews operated inside, they were also dealing with an unreliable water supply, multiple garage doors being opened, worsening fire conditions and an eventual transition from offensive to defensive operations. During the withdrawal, one firefighter became disorientated and a Mayday was called. Firefighters went back in to locate him, but during that rescue effort Master Firefighter Preston Fant became separated from his crew and called a second Mayday. He was later found approximately 20 feet inside the building and ultimately died from inhalation of smoke and products of combustion. In this debrief, we work through the incident chronologically and examine building intelligence, fire behaviour, ventilation, water supply, command, crew integrity, Mayday operations, task saturation and psychological safety.
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#506 DEBRIEF: Running Out of Air - The Texas Fire That Injured Nine Firefighters
On 30 August 2025, firefighters responded to a large two-storey residential fire in Texas after an occupant reported a fire in the master bedroom and confirmed everyone was out. Crews committed to an interior …
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On 30 August 2025, firefighters responded to a large two-storey residential fire in Texas after an occupant reported a fire in the master bedroom and confirmed everyone was out. Crews committed to an interior attack, but multiple firefighters ended up operating on the second floor in zero visibility while the fire was actually located on the first floor. As crews struggled to locate the fire, air supplies fell, low-air alarms began sounding and one firefighter became disorientated after being knocked away from the hoseline. A Mayday followed, with two firefighters ultimately suffering significant smoke inhalation and seven others also transported for evaluation. In this debrief, we break down the incident chronologically and explore size-up, fire location, interior supervision, communication, air management, Mayday response and psychological safety with the aim of identifying the warning signs that could help prevent a similar injury in the future.
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Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
#505 INTERSCHUTZ 2026 with PBI What 35 Years in the FDNY Taught Dan Melia About PPE
Recorded live at INTERSCHUTZ, this episode puts the spotlight on PBI and the people behind the protection firefighters rely on every day. I sit down with Dan Melia, a 35-year FDNY veteran, former Safety Chief …
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Recorded live at INTERSCHUTZ, this episode puts the spotlight on PBI and the people behind the protection firefighters rely on every day. I sit down with Dan Melia, a 35-year FDNY veteran, former Safety Chief and long-time firefighter PPE advocate, whose career has taken him from operational firefighting and FDNY Research & Development into NFPA PPE standards work and, more recently, his role with PBI. We get into the evolution of bunker gear, what firefighters really need to understand about the kit protecting them, lessons learned from decades inside FDNY, and why PBI continues to invest so heavily in firefighter safety, education and the wider fire-service community. It’s a proper fire-nerd conversation about PPE, protection, performance and making better-informed decisions about the gear between firefighters and the fire.
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#504 High Rise Masterclass with Brent Brooks Ep 4 Hose Lines, Big Water & Lithium-Ion Fires
In the fourth and final instalment of the High Rise Masterclass, Toronto Fire Captain Brent Brooks brings the series firmly back to practical fireground application. Brent explores big-water tactics, 65 mm hose …
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In the fourth and final instalment of the High Rise Masterclass, Toronto Fire Captain Brent Brooks brings the series firmly back to practical fireground application. Brent explores big-water tactics, 65 mm hose deployment, nozzle reaction, progressive hose stretches, extending lines when crews come up short, improvised standpipes and the use of specialist nozzles and rotor distributors to create multiple tactical options from the same hose package. The conversation also tackles the growing challenge of lithium-ion battery fires in high-rise and underground environments, using real incidents and lessons learned to examine water application, firefighter exposure and the importance of adapting tactics when conventional approaches aren't working. A fitting conclusion to a four-part masterclass focused on making firefighters think differently about high-rise operations.
The Firefighters Podcast brought these to you live direct from the International Tall Buildings Conference and specialist high rise firefighting masterclass held in London in May 2026.
contact Brent Brooks HERE
Additional Presentation Material from Brent Brooks HERE
International Tall Buildings Conference HERE
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#503 25 Years After 911, Terry Farrell & the Atlanta Stair Climb with Laurel Clonts Malcolm
As we prepare to head to Atlanta for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I wanted to understand the meaning behind the trip and the people at the heart of it. I sat down with Laurel Clonts Malcolm from the Terry …
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As we prepare to head to Atlanta for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I wanted to understand the meaning behind the trip and the people at the heart of it. I sat down with Laurel Clonts Malcolm from the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund to talk about Terry Farrell, an FDNY firefighter killed on 9/11, the legacy carried forward in his name, and the incredible work the Fund continues to do for first responders and their families. We also talk about remembrance, the lasting impact of 9/11, and what it means for the UK firefighter group to stand alongside our US brothers and sisters.
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#502 UK Wildfire Season Debrief 2026
The UK’s 2026 wildfire season has pushed Fire and Rescue Services into unprecedented operational territory. In this episode, we look at the numbers behind more than a thousand significant wildfires, some of the …
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The UK’s 2026 wildfire season has pushed Fire and Rescue Services into unprecedented operational territory. In this episode, we look at the numbers behind more than a thousand significant wildfires, some of the largest and most resource-intensive incidents of the year, the impact on firefighters, appliances and national resilience, and how the UK’s wildfire capability has developed over time.
We explore specialist teams, training, vehicles, aerial firefighting and international best practice, before taking a deeper look at one of the most important issues facing firefighters on the fireline: PPE, heat stress, smoke exposure and the reality of undertaking prolonged wildfire operations in structural firefighting kit that was never designed for that environment.
This is a firefighter-focused debrief of what 2026 has exposed, what the sector is already improving, and what needs to change before the next major wildfire season.
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#501 Duarte Mendes Marine, Firefighter, World Champion
In this episode I sit down with Portuguese firefighter and world champion firefighter athlete Duarte Mendes to discover the man behind the medals. We talk about growing up in the small Portuguese town of Avis …
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In this episode I sit down with Portuguese firefighter and world champion firefighter athlete Duarte Mendes to discover the man behind the medals.
We talk about growing up in the small Portuguese town of Avis, the values and work ethic his family gave him, his four years serving in the Portuguese Marines, lifeguarding and the journey that eventually led him into a career with the Lisbon Fire Brigade. Duarte gives us a fascinating insight into professional firefighting in Portugal, including 24-hour shifts, specialist diving operations and the demands of serving one of Europe’s historic capital cities, before we get into nearly a decade of firefighter competition, becoming a world champion, winning internationally, how his training and recovery have evolved and the sacrifice required to compete at the highest level while remaining an operational firefighter.
But perhaps most importantly, we talk about family, purpose, the possibility of eventually stepping away from competition and why becoming a good person matters far more to Duarte than any medal he could ever win.
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#499 How to Buy PPE & Uniform Without Getting It Wrong with Natalie Wilson
In this episode I sit down with Natalie Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Workwear Solutions International, to explore one of the most important but often underdeveloped areas in the fire sector: how we …
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In this episode I sit down with Natalie Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Workwear Solutions International, to explore one of the most important but often underdeveloped areas in the fire sector: how we specify, procure, assess and ultimately trust the PPE and workwear we rely on every day.
Natalie brings more than 20 years of experience across the supply chain, procurement, technical assessment and standards development, including leading work on the world’s first inclusive PPE standard, and this conversation gets into the gap between something simply being compliant and it actually being fit for purpose, fit for the wearer and fit for the operational environment.
We talk about the loss of experienced PPE knowledge as people retire, the importance of succession planning, wearer trials, standards, fit, inclusion, station wear, supplier engagement and how better questions can lead to better kit and safer outcomes. For anyone involved in firefighting, PPE, procurement, training, health and safety or leadership, I genuinely see this as essential CPD because understanding what we wear, why we wear it and how those decisions are made is fundamental to doing the job properly.
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USEFUL LINKS MENTIONED:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliewilson01/
Inclusive PPE Standard & Companion Guide links from BSI:
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#498 Ordinary People, Extraordinary Rescues: When Everyday People Choose to Act
In this one-off episode I step away from our usual focus on trained emergency responders to explore what happens when ordinary people find themselves inside somebody else’s worst moment and choose to act …
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In this one-off episode I step away from our usual focus on trained emergency responders to explore what happens when ordinary people find themselves inside somebody else’s worst moment and choose to act.
Through documented stories involving burning buildings, aircraft crashes, freezing water, terrorist attacks, wartime rescue networks and mass evacuations, I examine courage, initiative, sacrifice and the difficult line between bravery and recklessness.
This is not an encouragement to take unnecessary risks, but a reminder that agency, leadership and meaningful action are not owned by rank, uniform or authority and that even the smallest decision to notice, speak up or step forward can change the direction of another person’s life.
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#497 In the Bays with Cobb County Fire Georgia USA
Recorded in the appliance bays during our March 2026 visit to Atlanta, this episode offers a quick insight into Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services and one small part of the wider American fire service.We …
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Recorded in the appliance bays during our March 2026 visit to Atlanta, this episode offers a quick insight into Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services and one small part of the wider American fire service.
We discuss their specialist command and rescue capabilities, emergency medical provision, recruitment, training and personnel accountability.
The conversation also tackles some challenging operational questions. Would you enter without a hose line for a known life risk? How should firefighters balance immediate rescue against long-term health risks? Are accountability systems always proportionate to the resources available?
This was not a formal sit-down podcast. We were on a tight schedule preparing for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, so we captured the conversation while we had the opportunity.
A brief, honest look at the people, equipment and operational thinking inside Cobb County Fire.
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#496 Humble, Hungry & Smart: How to become the teammate your crew can rely on
In this short solo episode, Im doing something a little different as one of the most common emails i get is about personal development tools - so here is one i think might be useful.In this episode im going to …
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In this short solo episode, Im doing something a little different as one of the most common emails i get is about personal development tools - so here is one i think might be useful.
In this episode im going to revisit & explore Patrick Lencioni’s book The Ideal Team Player and its simple but powerful framework of being humble, hungry and smart.
I look at how these three qualities can support your own personal and professional development, help you become a stronger and more valuable team player, and give leaders a practical way to develop healthier, more effective teams.
I also examine what happens when one of these qualities is missing, why certain combinations can become damaging, and how the framework can be used as a mirror for self-reflection, a language for honest team conversations and a tool for building stronger organisations.
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#495 Creating Thinking Firefighters with Chief Jason Caughey
In this episode, im joined by Chief Jason Caughey, a fire service leader with more than 30 years of experience and the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire Authority in Wyoming, to explore the difference between …
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In this episode, im joined by Chief Jason Caughey, a fire service leader with more than 30 years of experience and the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire Authority in Wyoming, to explore the difference between simply training firefighters to complete tasks and genuinely developing people who can think, adapt, take ownership and act with confidence.
Together, we examine high-agency leadership, measurable performance standards, psychological safety, servant leadership and the dangers of cultures that teach firefighters to wait for permission rather than solve problems. Jason also shares how his organisation recruits for humility, hunger and practical intelligence, why coaching should come before discipline, and how leaders can give people room to make mistakes without allowing standards to slip. It is a challenging conversation about creating firefighters and leaders who are confident enough to act, humble enough to listen and trusted enough to think.
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#494 DEBRIEF: 11 Minutes to Fireball - Boyd Street, Downtown LA, May 16th 2020
In this incident debrief, we examine the Boyd Street fire in Downtown Los Angeles, where what first appeared to be a routine commercial building fire rapidly escalated into a catastrophic fireball that injured …
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In this incident debrief, we examine the Boyd Street fire in Downtown Los Angeles, where what first appeared to be a routine commercial building fire rapidly escalated into a catastrophic fireball that injured 12 Los Angeles firefighters. We break down the building, the hidden hazards inside, the timeline of the response, the tactical decisions around entry and ventilation, the fire behaviour that led to the explosion, and the Mayday that followed. This episode explores the brutal consequences of unknown occupancy risk, ventilation-limited fire conditions, compressed gases, oxidisers, PPE limitations and the importance of listening when a building starts to tell you something is wrong. Boyd Street is not just an American incident; it is a global lesson for every firefighter, officer and fire service about pre-planning, situational awareness, command decision-making and the narrow margin between a routine job and a life-changing event.
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