The Firefighters Podcast
The Firefighters Podcast is a global podcast seeking to develop, inspire, connect, motivate, represent & celebrate the world of our emergency services operators through a series of wide-ranging conversations celebrating those within our emergency services family and encouraging the support of this incredible group of people. Operational UK firefighter Pete Wakefield speaks with individuals from all walks of life who share a connection with, can add value to, or can develop those who choose this life path. Our driving purpose is to create a legacy resource for the current and future generations of firefighters & first responders
Episodes
This incident debrief covers the tragic fatalities of Firefighter Wornham and Firefighter Miller who lost their lives at 85 Harrow Court, Silam Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire on 2nd February 2005.
ACCESS THE PODCAST LIBRARY & EVERY EPISODE, DEBRIEF & DOCUMENT CLICK HERE
PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE
A big thanks to our partners...
When Ben Selby joined me on The Firefighters Podcast, we had a wide-ranging and powerful conversation about the vital role of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the evolving challenges faced by fire and rescue services in the UK. As the FBU’s Assistant General Secretary, Ben offered deep insight into issues like firefighter pay, recruitment, and the shifting demands of the job. We explored the importance of the Grey Bo...
Abi Manifold has over 25 years of experience in Learning and Organisational Development, Abi’s approach to leadership, culture, and performance is deeply rooted in empathy, authenticity, and the practical application of human insight. Her diverse background as an executive coach, psychometric profiler, and leadership facilitator gives her a rare ability to blend strategic thinking with meaningful, people-first practic...
Jayson Coil is Assistant Fire Chief and Battalion Chief at Sedona Fire District in Arizona. With over 25 years of operational and leadership experience particularly in wildland firefighting and major disaster response, Jayson shares powerful insights on decision-making in complex environments.
We dive into topics like adaptive leadership, red teaming, decentralizing command, and improving decision quality during crisi...
I had a powerful and inspiring conversation with Nigel Best, whose journey spans over 40 years of service in Nottingham. From his beginnings as a postman to becoming a teacher and eventually working in diversity and inclusion within the Nottinghamshire Police, Nigel’s story is one of transformation, mentorship, and deep community engagement.
He shared how his experiences as part of the Windrush generation shaped his i...
Justin Johnston served in the UK fire & rescue service for 30 years finishing his career as the Chief Fire Officer of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
In our conversation we explore the weight of leadership responsibilities, the need for professional growth, collaboration, more opportunities and the multifaceted challenges and responsibilities faced by leaders in the fire services. We also speak about the ope...
Today we are speaking Air Crash Investigation with Karl Scammel from Air Accidents Investigation Branch -
The AAIB is an independent organization funded by the government to investigate accidents and serious incidents involving civil aviation in the UK and its overseas territories. They investigate accidents involving fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, gliders, and drones. Our conversation touches on:
- The growth of ...
In this episode, I sit down with my good friends Matt Adams and Dean Keeber to discuss a range of topics spanning firefighting, fitness, and life philosophy. We chat about an overview of the upcoming UK Firefighter Challenge events, the UK Pink Firefighters.
Beyond the fireground, we explore life balance—the fine line between motivation and burnout, the evolution of personal drive, and transitioning toward more sustain...
Jan Morris has had a distinguished career in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. began her journey with Avon Fire & Rescue Service in 1998 as one of only eight women in the operational workforce at that time.
Beyond her operational roles, Jan has been an active member of Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS) since 1999, contributing significantly to initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion and supporting the development o...
My conversation today is with social psychologist Anne Templeton to explore the fascinating role of social psychology in emergency response. We discuss the critical importance of trust—how it shapes public cooperation, emergency management, and effective communication.
Anne shares valuable insights on how first responders can build trust by working with communities, involving trusted leaders, and clearly explaining the...
Born in the 1960’s with ‘Birmingham Central Fire Station’ on his birth certificate, Dave Walton has had a remarkable journey from growing up around the fire service to now becoming a key leader in shaping its future.
He’s a strategic thinker, an advocate for change, and a driving force behind improvements in leadership, diversity, and operational effectiveness in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Today, we’re going to t...
In this episode, returning guest Dan Stephens takes us on a deep dive into the current state of UK firefighting, with a particular focus on how fire services respond to domestic dwelling fires. Using insights from his South Wales Fire and Rescue Service inspection report, we explore the evolving challenges faced by modern firefighters and the critical need for improved tactics, training, and operational assurance.
Our ...
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Stoneham, a retired firefighter with nearly three decades of service in East Sussex Fire Brigade. Justin takes us through his extensive career, beginning as a retained firefighter in 1993 and progressing to roles such as Fire Control Operator, Lead Instructor at the Training Centre, and finally Watch Manager at Eastbourne Fire Station. His career came to a sudden shift in 2022 w...
My guest today is Colette Black, Director of People Services and Assistant Chief Executive at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Colette holds postgraduate qualifications in executive coaching and strengths-based coaching and is a nationally accredited mediator. With a strong interest in occupational psychology, she has recently cond...
Today, we’re diving into the world of drills, firefighter training, knowledge management, and the evolution of learning tools with my good friend Adam Bizley – creater of Drillbook, an app designed to collate sector knowledge, simplify training, streamline drills, and ensure that critical knowledge doesn’t get lost as experienced firefighters retire.
You can connect with Adam at adam@tffpc.com
On the podcast today I have my good friend and returning guest Zac Blackledge. Zach is a dad, husband, UK firefighter, an incredible athlete and all round nice bloke. This podcast was recorded back in November of 2024 as we rounded up and connected the dots from the past few years including some of his lowest points after suffering a stroke, fearing he would lose his job and uncertain what the future look like onto hi...
My guest today on is Simon Hewitt, a retired firefighter who dedicated over 31 years to serving others in the fire service. Beyond his extensive career, Simon has become a beacon of faith and hope, serving as a chaplain and leader with Firefighters For Christ International.
Learn more about it HERE
We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIB...
Nicholas J. Higgins is a firefighter and district training officer New Jersey. New Jersey State Level 2 Fire Instructor, a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation state advocate, and a member of the Board of Directors for the 5-Alarm Task Force, also the founder and a contributor of The Firehouse Tribune website. teaching “Critical Thinking and Fireground Decision Making” and “Critical Thinking and The Fireground Off...
In todays episode I’m speaking with my good friend, firefighter challenge multiple gold medallist and returning guest Helena Brown.
You can connect with Helena 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...
In today’s episode it’s an honour to be joined by my good friend John Aitchison, a dedicated, driven & passionate firefighter and humanitarian, as we explore his long & extraordinary journey with the people of Nepal. From the devastation of the 2015 earthquakes where he deployed as part of UK international search & rescue to the creation of life-saving initiatives like Fire Aid Nepal, John has been a drivi...
Popular Podcasts
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.