Firefighter Podcast

Pete Wakefield
  • 5.0 (3)
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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 responders

  1. #444 Debrief: Old Albert Mill, Whitworth, Lancashire, May 15th 2009

    1D AGO

    #444 Debrief: Old Albert Mill, Whitworth, Lancashire, May 15th 2009

    On this episode of we take a slow, deliberate look at the Old Albert Mill incident in Whitworth, Lancashire, from 15 May 2009. This is a structured incident debrief built directly from the original accident investigation report, with large sections read verbatim to preserve timings, context, and operational reality. The focus is not on blame or judgement, but on understanding how breathing apparatus operations, withdrawal under pressure, low visibility movement, and training culture intersected during a real incident that resulted in a firefighter injury. This episode is designed as a learning tool. Alongside the audio debrief, an incident debrief training document has been created for crews to use on station.  It follows a clear structure, sets out critical information from the incident, and poses decision points and discussion prompts to help firefighters and officers reflect on what they would do if faced with a similar incident tonight.  You can find the downloadable debrief document via the link below and use it to support watch-based discussions, training sessions, and professional development. LINK FOR TRAINING DOCUMENT Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD Send us a text Support the show ***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

    17 min
  2. #443 FireSport UK Festival of Fire Sport with Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby

    4D AGO

    #443 FireSport UK Festival of Fire Sport with Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby

    In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Kirby, Chief Fire Officer of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of FireSport UK, to talk about why bringing sport back matters right now. We focus on the Festival of Fire Sport and how FireSport UK is using sport to reconnect firefighters through teamwork, competition, and shared experience, not just fitness for fitness’ sake. We explore how sport builds trust, resilience, and identity across the fire service, why earning your place alongside your peers matters, and how initiatives like the Festival of Fire Sport and the British Firefighter Challenge bring people together across roles, ranks, and services. This is about participation, community, and momentum. Bringing sport back is about strengthening the fire service from the inside out. CLICK HERE - FESTIVAL OF FIRE SPORT Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD Send us a text Support the show ***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

    1h 4m
  3. #442 Boots on the Ground at Intersec Dubai: A Firefighter’s Reflection on Global Innovation, Scale, and What Comes Next

    JAN 29

    #442 Boots on the Ground at Intersec Dubai: A Firefighter’s Reflection on Global Innovation, Scale, and What Comes Next

    This episode is a grounded debrief from being boots on the ground at Intersec Dubai, not a second hand summary or a glossy highlight reel. Intersec matters because it shows where global investment, policy attention, and operational thinking are actually heading long before those ideas trickle into day to day firefighting. From advanced PPE and industrial scale suppression systems to drones designed to integrate directly into command structures, the show sits at the intersection of technology, risk, and real world application. Walking the floor, speaking directly with manufacturers, sector leaders, and practitioners from around the world, the focus was simple. What is coming next, what problem is it trying to solve, and does it genuinely improve firefighter safety and effectiveness rather than just looking impressive on a stand. Intersec is not just about kit. It is about perspective. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in a city built on scale and intent, the event forces you to look at the fire service through a wider international lens. Alongside innovation, there were conversations about health, cancer prevention, leadership, policy, and how different nations are quietly evolving their approach to risk. This episode reflects on what stood out, what challenged assumptions, and what is worth bringing back into honest conversations at home. It will never fully capture the scale or energy of being there, but it offers a clear snapshot of what was seen, what mattered, and why staying curious and present in these spaces is essential if we want the fire service to move forward with intent rather than drift on habit. See discussed here : HAIXDE-WIPEDRONESNAFFCOFF TURBINE MINIMAXWILLIAM WOOD WATCHESINTERSEC DUBAIAccess all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD Send us a text Support the show ***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

    1 hr

  4. JAN 26

    #441 Beyond the Minimum Standard: The UK Firefighter Challenge Series & Northeast FF Challenge with Ben Le Fevre and Dan Watson

    This episode kicks off a new series of conversations exploring the British Firefighter Challenge Series, a nationwide circuit made up of thirteen events running from April through to September 2026. From stair runs and regional challenges to the crown jewel event at Moreton-in-Marsh and an international 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in the United States, the series represents a growing movement within the UK fire service that brings together fitness, teamwork, community engagement, and professionalism. Collectively, these events are helping to raise the ceiling on what firefighter fitness looks like, shifting it away from minimum standards and toward something lived, visible, and shared. In this opening episode, I’m speaking with Benjamin Le-Fevre and Dan Watson from the Northeast Firefighter Challenge, using their event as a lens to explore the wider challenge landscape. We talk about how fitness challenges can act as powerful tools for connection and education, how community-focused events change the conversation around health and wellbeing, and why culture matters more than compliance. This episode sets the tone for the entire series, exploring what firefighter fitness can become when it’s built around purpose, community, and professionalism rather than simply meeting a minimum standard. Find info about British Firefighter Challenge Series North East Firefighter Challenge 2026 | A competition organised by Firefighters, for Firefighters. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Send us a text Support the show ***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

    1h 6m

  5. JAN 22

    #440 Debrief: 3 floor residential Fire Massachusetts Nov 13 2019 Career Lieutenant Dies and Four Firefighters Injured

    On November 13, 2019, a career lieutenant died, and four other firefighters were injured while fighting a residential structure fire. What began as a seemingly routine night-time call rapidly escalated into a complex, high-risk incident involving crews operating above the fire, deteriorating conditions, wind-impacted fire behaviour, and critical information gaps. Early reports of life risk shaped decision making, while building construction, access limitations, and changing fire dynamics steadily reduced options for crews committed inside. In this episode, we break the incident down using a 4D debrief framework, focusing on the timeline, the drivers behind key decisions, and the factors that contributed to a fatal outcome. Drawing from an 80-plus page investigation report, we translate the lessons into clear, practical learning that can be applied by firefighters anywhere in the world. This is a respectful, tactical debrief designed to improve understanding of fireground decision making under pressure, and to help prevent the same sequence of events from repeating elsewhere. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Send us a text Support the show ***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

    35 min

  6. JAN 19

    #439 The Job, the Life & Everything in Between with Eternal Recruit Matt Akers

    This episode is one of those conversations that quietly gets under your skin. I’m joined by Matt Akers, who currently serves in New Zealand, but whose journey through the fire service spans rural retained firefighting, aviation, London, and multiple countries. Matt’s lived and worked across very different systems, cultures, and tempos of the job, and that perspective runs all the way through this conversation. What we really dig into though isn’t tactics or titles. It’s life. The pressure to stay busy. The way hustle culture sneaks in and convinces you that exhaustion equals progress. The idea of horizon happiness, always chasing the next milestone while missing the moment you’re actually standing in. We talk about parenthood, time, and the realisation that your kids won’t remember the late finishes or the extra emails, but they will remember whether you showed up. Matt speaks openly about the fire service shaping his identity, the differences between rural and urban firefighting, and the privilege of doing this job when it’s kept in the right place in your life. He also shares some very honest reflections on personal struggles, including alcohol, and how travel, community, and becoming what he calls the eternal recruit helped him reset and rebuild. The conversation takes a deeper turn when Matt talks about a health scare that led to him receiving a pacemaker, and the emotional weight that came with that. We explore identity loss, mental health, and the moment he realised counselling wasn’t something to be ashamed of, but something that helped him move forward. There’s no self pity here. Just perspective, responsibility, and resilience. This episode isn’t about chasing more. It’s about recalibrating. About keeping passion without letting the job consume you. About remembering that you can survive without money, but not without people. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running flat out but not sure toward what, this conversation might slow you down in the best possible way. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Send us a text Support the show ***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

    1h 46m
  7. #438 Debrief Camp fire Paradise, California, USA, November 2018

    JAN 15

    #438 Debrief Camp fire Paradise, California, USA, November 2018

    In this episode, we take a deep, no-nonsense operational debrief of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, November 2018, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire of the modern era in the United States. We walk through the incident as it unfolded, the early warning signs, the rapid fire growth, the evacuation failures, and the brutal reality that most of the devastation occurred within the first four hours. This is not a dramatic retelling. It is a structured breakdown of how fire behaviour, weather, infrastructure, and human movement collided at speed, overwhelming systems and removing options for both responders and the public. In the second half of the episode, we translate those lessons directly into a UK Fire and Rescue Service context using the LACES framework from National Operational Guidance. Lookouts, Awareness, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones become the lens through which we ask hard, practical questions about how we would manage a fast-moving wildfire or Rural Urban Interface incident in the UK. This episode is about recognising early warning signs, understanding when the job changes from firefighting to life saving, and taking lessons from one of the world’s worst wildfires that can genuinely help firefighters make better decisions on the ground. Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Send us a text Support the show ***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

    31 min
  8. #437 The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire Dublin 1875 with Las Fallon

    JAN 12

    #437 The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire Dublin 1875 with Las Fallon

    In this episode, Pete Wakefield is joined by Las Fallon to explore one of the most extraordinary and misunderstood fires in European fire service history: the Great Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1875. This was not simply a large urban fire. It was an incident where tens of thousands of gallons of high-proof whiskey escaped bonded warehouses, flowed through the streets of Dublin, ignited, and turned parts of the city into rivers of fire. More people died from human behaviour and misunderstanding of risk than from flames themselves, making this feel less like a Victorian era blaze and more like an early hazardous materials incident played out with nineteenth-century tools, leadership, and limitations. Together, Pete and Las unpack the fire’s wider context, from the structure of the Irish fire service and leadership under pressure, to crowd behaviour, media portrayal, and the forgotten victims whose stories faded from public memory. They explore whiskey’s central role in Dublin’s economy, the cultural stereotypes of the time, and how tribalism, misinformation, and curiosity turned a disaster into a secondary tragedy. This is not a nostalgic retelling. It is a professional case study in leadership, public safety, and human behaviour, with uncomfortable lessons that still resonate in modern firefighting, crisis management, and community response today. Get the book HERE Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE  our partners supporting this episode. GORE-TEX Professional ClothingFIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Send us a text Support the show ***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

    1h 26m
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About

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 responders

Information

  • Creator
    Pete Wakefield
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    431
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Firefighter Podcast
  • Show Website
    Firefighter Podcast

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