Best Pete Wakefield Podcasts (2025)

1
#432 Fire Behaviour: Training vs Reality with Dave Payton & Iain Evans of FIRE ATTACTICS 1:07:57

8h ago1:07:57

1:07:57

In part one of this two-part episode, I’m joined by Dave Payton and Ian Evans, co-founders of Fire Tactics and two of the most experienced fire behaviour and breathing apparatus instructors to have worked in the UK fire service. With decades of experience spanning West Midlands Fire Service, the Fire Service College, and national BA and fire behavi…

1
#431 The Psychology of Rescue with Dr Lynsey Mahmood PhD 1:37:52

2h ago1:37:52

1:37:52

In this episode, Pete sits down with Dr Lynsey Mahmood, PhD, a behavioural scientist and applied psychologist whose work bridges academic research and real world fire and rescue operations. The conversation explores how psychology shows up on the fireground every day, whether we acknowledge it or not. From watch culture and social identity to leade…

1
#430 Never on a 10: Leadership, Accountability and the Fireground Reality with Bob Palestrant 1:46:39

2d ago1:46:39

1:46:39

Today’s conversation is with Bob Palestrant, a firefighter, emergency manager and author of Never on a 10, whose career spans more than four decades across nursing, paramedicine, frontline firefighting, urban search and rescue, aviation firefighting and homeland security. Bob spent over twenty years working in one of the busiest battalions in North…

1
#429 Building a Fire Service at the Roof of the World: Everest Fire and Rescue - Fire Aid Nepal 1:13:16

3d ago1:13:16

1:13:16

This episode is being recorded from Lukla in Nepal, the gateway to Everest and the Khumbu Valley. A place where life happens at altitude, infrastructure is limited, and when something goes wrong the community cannot rely on fast backup arriving from down the road. Fire, rescue, and medical emergencies here are dealt with by local people, on foot, i…

1
#428 Closing the Gap Between Fire Science and the Fireground with Matt Davis 2:05:15

11d ago2:05:15

2:05:15

This episode goes deep into the reality of fire behaviour as it actually shows up on the fireground, not the simplified version many of us were taught early on. Matt and I talk about how modern fuels, building design and ventilation have changed the speed and violence of fire development, why smoke is often the biggest killer in the room, and how f…

1
#427 The Duty to Remember with Alan House of the Firefighters Memorial Trust 1:59:49

20d ago1:59:49

1:59:49

This conversation with Alan House pulls us back to the foundations of who we are as firefighters. Alan started his career in the 1960s, rose through Hampshire Fire and Rescue, and has spent decades preserving the story of our service. As part of the Firefighters Memorial Trust, he helps record and honour every person who has died in the line of dut…

1
#426 Collaboration Over Tradition: Dave Berry and the Rise of Tactical Firefighting UK 50:12

24d ago50:12

50:12

Inside the Lancashire Tactical Firefighting Summit: A Four-Part Series on Modern Firefighting. The final episode brings the series home with Greater Manchester’s Tactical Firefighting Training Lead Dave Berry. Dave is one of the founding voices behind Tactical Firefighting UK. Dave charts the UK’s slow march toward modernization, from years of near…

1
#425 Droplets, Energy and the Future of Container Training with Lucas Garden 52:10

25d ago52:10

52:10

Inside the Lancashire Tactical Firefighting Summit: A Four-Part Series on Modern Firefighting. In episode three, Fire and Rescue New South Wales instructor Lucas Garden takes us deep into the evolution of modern fire behaviour training. He traces how his service moved from rigid, tradition-heavy British-style tactics toward a more scientific, evide…

1
#424 From the Service Strategy all the way to the Branch: Unified Fireground Thinking with Gerard Mann 1:11:26

26d ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Inside the Lancashire Tactical Firefighting Summit: A Four-Part Series on Modern Firefighting. In episode two, Station Officer Gerard Mann of Fire Rescue Victoria builds on Dan’s analysis by shifting the focus to how a fire service thinks strategically, tactically and culturally. Drawing on sixteen years across operations, training and doctrine dev…

1
#423 When Doctrine Fails: Standards, Strategy and the Reality of Fireground Performance with Dan Stephens 2:04:34

27d ago2:04:34

2:04:34

Inside the Lancashire Tactical Firefighting Summit: A Four-Part Series on Modern Firefighting. In part one of this mini series, Dan Stephens breaks down the findings from his cumulative inspection of all three Welsh fire and rescue services, focusing on operational effectiveness at domestic dwelling fires. He walks through three years of data, near…

1
#422 Health Span over Life Span Staying Operational to 60 with Chris Ward of Fit Fire Rescue part 2 1:34:18

29d ago1:34:18

1:34:18

In part two Chris Ward moves from the personal story into the practical blueprint. This is where the conversation shifts gears and gets straight into the habits, behaviours and systems firefighters need if they want to stay fit for the job for decades, not months. Chris opens up about the emotional toll of testing, the stigma around capability, and…

1
#421 Health Span over Life Span: Staying Operational to 60 with Chris Ward of Fit Fire Rescue part 1 58:28

1M ago58:28

58:28

In part one Chris Ward goes deep on the truth about firefighter fitness, long term health, and the realities of staying operational into your sixties. From the early days of joining the service to the shock of pension changes, chronic illness, fear of capability tests and the uncomfortable slide from “fit at twenty eight” to “struggling at forty fi…

1
#420 International Mens Day at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue 58:16

1M ago58:16

58:16

This episode is a rare role reversal for me as I step into the interview chair for a live recording at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service during International Mens Day 2025. Speaking with Station Manager Gary Devonport, I explore mens mental health, identity, masculinity and the realities that sit behind the uniform. We go into some deeply per…

1
#419 Forging Fire: Building Teams That Last with Dr. Johnny Torgeson 1:49:26

1M ago1:49:26

1:49:26

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Johnny Torgeson, a US Army veteran, fire officer, educator and author of Forging Your Team: Demystifying Team Development for First Responders. Johnny brings an incredible mix of military precision, academic insight and real-world fire service experience, and together we dig into what it truly means to build team…

1
#418 Why Emotional Intelligence Might Be the Missing Tool in the Fire Service with Chief Fire Officer Darren Dovey KFSM 1:26:06

1M ago1:26:06

1:26:06

In this episode I sit down with Darren Dovey KFSM, former Chief Fire Officer of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, to explore how emotional intelligence can transform leadership in the fire sector. Darren’s 35-year career saw him lead through political upheaval, the transition to PFCC governance, and national crises like COVID and extreme we…

1
#417 The Story of FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady 13:10

2M ago13:10

13:10

On November 8th, 2025, FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady lost his life while battling a five-alarm fire in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, we reflect on Patrick’s story as a firefighter from a proud line of service and the realities of the work he loved. We look at the demands of roof operations and vertical ventilation, not to question tactics, …

1
#416 Evolving the Fireground: International Lessons with Mike Stachowicz 2:36:34

2M ago2:36:34

2:36:34

In this episode, Pete sits down once again with Watch Manager Mike “Stacko” Stachowicz GIFIRE a UK firefighter, international fire behaviour instructor, and long-time friend of the podcast to unpack his experiences from IFIW (International Fire Instructor’s Workshop) 2025. From live burns and tactical experiments in Colorado to conversations with g…

1
#415 STAY LEFT OF BANG: A Career of International Disaster Response & Rescue with Jim McParland Part 2 1:18:47

2M ago1:18:47

1:18:47

In this second part of our conversation with Jim McParland, we move from the technical to the deeply personal. Jim opens up about the emotional weight of a career spent on the front lines of disaster — the moments that stay with you long after the noise fades, and the quiet burden carried by those who’ve seen the very worst of human tragedy. From t…

1
#414 STAY LEFT OF BANG: A Career of International Disaster Response & Rescue with Jim McParland Part 1 1:37:04

2M ago1:37:04

1:37:04

Jim McParland’s career reads like a blueprint for courage, discipline, and service. After joining West Midlands Fire Service in 1995, he quickly became part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team, deploying to some of the world’s most severe disaster zones. From the wreckage of the Christchurch earthquake to the chaos of the 2023 Turkey ear…

1
#413 INCIDENT DEBRIEF: The Woolworths fire - Manchester - May 8th 1979 12:46

2M ago12:46

12:46

In May 1979, a fire tore through the Woolworths department store in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. A blaze that would change British fire safety forever. What began as a small ignition behind a furniture display grew into a full-floor inferno within minutes, fuelled by polyurethane foam and toxic smoke that trapped shoppers and staff on the upper…

1
#412 Recruiting Tomorrow’s Fire Service Leaders with Hannah Vallance, Chartered Occupational Psychologist & Director at VCA Ltd 1:07:50

2M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

This episode dives into one of the most important and often misunderstood parts of the UK Fire & Rescue Service. How we attract, develop, and promote the leaders of tomorrow. Joined by Hannah Vallance, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Director at VCA Ltd, we explore what it really takes to build a workforce and leadership culture that reflec…

1
#411 National Breathing Apparatus Challenge The Debrief Part 2 35:22

2M ago35:22

35:22

In Part Two of our National Breathing Apparatus Challenge collaboration, we step behind the smoke to hear from the people who design, assess, and drive one of the UK fire service’s most respected events. After following ten operational crews through their thirty minute, two fire, three casualty scenario in Part One, this episode turns the focus to …

1
#410 National Breathing Apparatus Challenge 2025: The Debrief - Part 1 1:36:45

2M ago1:36:45

1:36:45

In this episode, we head straight to the heart of the 2025 National Breathing Apparatus Challenge where teams of operational UK firefighters went head-to-head in a simulated high-pressure incident: smoke issuing from a rented property, three persons unaccounted for, and two seats of fire to tackle within thirty minutes. Armed with one fire truck & …

1
#409 Evolution vs Revolution: The Journey of Tactical Firefighting UK continues Part 2 of 2 with Dave Berry 1:36:38

2M ago1:36:38

1:36:38

Today we’re back with someone whose name carries serious weight in UK tactical firefighting. Dave Berry, Tactical Firefighting Training Lead at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. With over 25 years on the front line, Dave has trained operational crews across Lancashire, Manchester, Macedonia and Montenegro. He’s a fire behaviour specialist, …

1
#408 ESS LIVE - When Systems Fail: Human Factors and the Weight of Modern Healthcare with Andy Youngson & Simon Nevitt 25:21

2M ago25:21

25:21

In this special Emergency services show Collaboration 2025 episode, we explore how human factors shape the way emergency services deliver care under pressure. Im Joined by Andy Youngson, Advanced Paramedic in Pre-Hospital Care with East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Simon Nevitt, Market Access Manager at Galen Pharma, we unpack the realities of h…

1
#407 The Origin & Evolutions of Firefighter Fitness Tests in the UK with Dr Phil Turner 2:03:55

3M ago2:03:55

2:03:55

Today we’re digging into the roots of firefighter fitness. How we got from local “beep test and vibes” to nationally validated standards built from actual job tasks and science. Joining me is Dr. Phil Turner one of the key architects behind the NFCC FireFit framework. Phil’s spent the last two decades co-designing the drill ground assessments and p…

1
#406 Built to Last: The Data Behind Improving Firefighter Health with Dr Daniel Higuera PHD 1:40:52

3M ago1:40:52

1:40:52

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Daniel Higuera a human performance coach, researcher, and Associate Professor at Santa Ana College. Dan’s worked with over two thousand firefighters across the U.S., studying how call volume, sleep loss, and stress reshape our bodies, readiness, and mental health. He’s one of the few people turning hard data int…

1
#405 The History of the Fire Service 29:51

3M ago29:51

29:51

The History of the Fire Service - From the bucket brigades of ancient Rome and the Great Fire of London to the rise of professional brigades and modern scientific firefighting, this story traces how courage, community, and innovation shaped the fire service we know today. Packed with real events, legends, and lessons from centuries of evolution, it…

1
#404 Fuel What Matters: Performance, Recovery & Supplementation with Dan Peskett, Martin Boyce & Xendurance 1:42:21

3M ago1:42:21

1:42:21

Endurance sports have never been bigger—running, triathlon, Hyrox, cycling, and now the rise of firefighter challenge events are pulling more and more people into the world of testing limits. At the heart of these challenges lies a key performance barrier: lactate threshold and that familiar muscle burn that can shut you down when intensity peaks. …

1
#403 ESS LIVE Confidence, Challenge, and Change: WFS with Siobhan & Ellie 29:36

3M ago29:36

29:36

Welcome back to our Emergency Service Show 2025 collaboration series. In this episode, we shine a light on Women in the Fire Service and not as a separate chapter, but as a vital force shaping the fire service of today and tomorrow. I’m joined by two brilliant guests. Siobhan, better known as Shiv, or The Fire Mum—a London Fire Brigade firefighter …

1
#402 DEBRIEF: The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 14:24

3M ago14:24

14:24

In this Denrief episode, we step back to October 1871 and relive the night Chicago became a city on fire. What began as a small barn blaze on DeKoven Street turned into a chain of wind-driven infernos that destroyed over 17,000 buildings, left a third of the city homeless, and claimed hundreds of lives. We break down the fire’s mysterious origins, …

1
#401 ESS LIVE: Phil Garrigan & Fin Monahan on Leadership& Culture from the RAF to the Fireground 1:06:41

3M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Over the next week we’ll be rolling out a special mini-series recorded live at the Emergency Services Show a collaboration with Catherine and the ESS team. The show is one of Europe’s leading gathering for the blue light community: over 16,000+ professionals from fire, police, ambulance, search & rescue and support sectors. ESS showcases 500+ leadi…

1
#400 Lt. Col. Dave Grossman Psychology of Service, Survival, Stress & the Warrior Mindset 1:17:41

3M ago1:17:41

1:17:41

In this episode in joined by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. Retired U.S. Army Ranger, paratrooper, former West Point psychology professor and author of On Killing and On Combat walks us through how we unpack the psychology of stress, trauma, and resilience. Grossman has spent decades training military, law enforcement, and first responders on what actuall…

1
#399 LEADERS AS GARDENER'S: Building Psychological Safety and Future Ready Fire Services with Ann Millington OBE - Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service 1:50:35

3M ago1:50:35

1:50:35

In this episode, I sit down with Ann Millington to dig into what leadership really looks like in the fire and rescue services today. We talk about psychological safety, building no-blame cultures, and navigating the messy reality of budget cuts and complex organizational structures. Ann shares why inclusion and well-being aren’t optional extras but…

1
#398 REMEMBERING THE 343: Firefighters United for the 911 Memorial Stair Climb 51:34

3M ago51:34

51:34

I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Scotty Hewson to talk about his remarkable journey through aviation, firefighting, and service. Scotty shared how his love for helicopters started as a child at an air show with his grandfather, a passion that carried him into the Army Air Corps where he served as a Lynx crewman and door gunner. His…

1
#397 NORTHANTS FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2025 DEBRIEF 51:37

4M ago51:37

51:37

In this episode I'm joined by my good friend Dean Keeber to celebrate the very first Northants Firefighter Challenge, hosted at the stunning Rushden Lakes. We explore the unique course design, the overwhelming community support from sponsors, volunteers, and cadets, and highlight inspiring athlete performances including overall winner Matt Adams, D…

1
FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: Pressurised Staircases in UK High-Rise Buildings 14:15

4M ago14:15

14:15

In this episode of the Firefighters Podcast, we dive deep into the role of pressurised staircases in UK high-rise buildings. These engineered systems are designed to keep smoke out of escape routes, protecting residents during evacuation and giving firefighters a safe access path to the fire floor. We explore how they work, why they matter, and the…

1
#396 FIREFIT WORLD RECORD HOLDER BRAD DICKS 1:31:50

4M ago1:31:50

1:31:50

Today I’m speaking with Brad Dicks, firefighter, father, and the current world record holder in FireFit, the ultimate test of speed, strength, and resilience in the fire service. Brad opens up about the mindset and discipline it takes to compete at the highest level, from relentless training and visualization, to the resilience that keeps him going…

1
#395 Firefighter PPE for a Changing World with Vicki Jackson of MSA 1:06:45

4M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

Every firefighter knows the feeling: sweating through a call in full structural PPE gear when it wasn’t needed. Fatigue, heat stress, restricted movement. These things cost us on the job. That’s why I sat down with Vicki Jackson from MSA Bristol, leaders in firefighter PPE, to talk about what “PPE Fit for a Changing World” really means. In this epi…

1
#394 We Remember Them: Reflections from the Firefighters Memorial Service of Remembrance 17:29

4M ago17:29

17:29

This episode is a reflection on the Firefighters Memorial Trust’s Annual Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum for those unable to attend. Surrounded by colleagues, families, and supporters, the day carried immense weight through silence, poetry, and the laying of wreaths, every moment honoured the courage and sacrifice of those…

1
#393 Growing Leaders, Building Trust & shaping culture with Mark Baxter CFO Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue 2:09:17

4M ago2:09:17

2:09:17

If you’ve followed this show for a while, you’ll know how much of a personal interest I have in leadership. And part of the reason for that is because, like many of you, I carry a fear with me: the fear that I might go through my career having an unintended impact on people. That the way I lead, or fail to lead, could leave a mark I never meant to.…

1
#392 SOUTH COAST FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2025 DEBRIEF 1:05:02

4M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

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 organi…

1
#391 WELSH FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2025 DEBRIEF 48:06

4M ago48:06

48:06

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, …

1
FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: FLOWPATHS 20:25

4M ago20:25

20:25

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 ac…

1
#390 Beyond the Job: John Kelly on Holistic Health & Outliving the Fire Service 1:51:35

4M ago1:51:35

1:51:35

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 d…

1
FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: Basic Chemistry for Firefighting - The Reactions that Feed Fire 8:46

4M ago8:46

8:46

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 th…

1
#389 Evolution of INCIDENT COMMAND in the UK Fire Service with Kevin Arbuthnot 1:41:17

5M ago1:41:17

1:41:17

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…

1
FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATIONS: The Foundations of Scientific Thinking for Firefighters 11:35

5M ago11:35

11:35

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 th…

1
#389 Tactical Firefighting, Macedonia, Evolution & National best practice with Dave Berry - part 1 of 2 1:12:23

5M ago1:12:23

1:12:23

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 behavi…

1
#388 Forensic Leadership & The Traces we leave behind with Paul Kinkaid 1:27:54

5M ago1:27:54

1:27:54

“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 …

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