Firefighter Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#255 The TRUTH about UK Wildfires & The Danger to Firefighters & the Public Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

The number of wildfires in the UK more than tripled in the year 2022 compared to the the number that took place in 2021. Up to August 2022, there were 745 wildfires in the UK – more than three times the total figure of 247 for all of 2021 and this figure is only going in one direction.
Today I am joined by Craig Hope who is a Group Manager in the UKFRS & wildfire tactical advisor & alongside him is Rob Harvey, a Station Manager in UKFRS & the NFCC Wildfire Tactical Advisor. Together they share the true risks and hazards that firefighters face & how the UK is far behind the curve in equipping their firefighters with correct PPE and training. They direct us to and walk us through some essential tactics and procedures on how operational crews should deal with wildfires.
You can download Craig's Thesis on the subject discussed HERE

See a video showing some of the Wildfires from 2023 HERE

Contact Craig at C-hope@southwales-fire.gov.Uk
Contact Rob at Robharvey430@gmail.com
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#254 Culture, Emotional Intelligence & the Privilege of being a firefighter with Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Billing Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Kathryn is the Chief Fire Officer for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
Kathryn joined Cornwall County Fire Brigade in 1999 as a retained firefighter and was successful in the wholetime recruitment in 2001. Since then she has operated across most functions and locations of her service including training and many more.

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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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#253 The Role of Data Science in the Future of Fire and Rescue with Apollo Gerolymbos Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Apollo Gerolymbos is a digital, data and technology leader with experience in finance, the arts, market research and the emergency services sectors.
He is part of the London Fire Brigade as the Head of Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting Leading a multidisciplinary team of 15 people covering data analytics, insight and reporting relating to all the LFB’s activities.
Today you learn:

What is Data Analytics
The Role of Data Science in the Future of Fire and Rescue
The benefits of Decisions based on Data
How AI language models can be used for incident command
Some actionable steps to use Data Analytics for service efficiency

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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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INSIDE GORE - What I learnt from my time with the Team at Gore-Tex Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Back in June this year our very own Pete visited the GORE team out in Germany. Going behind the scenes at their European manufacturing base he got to meet the people behind the high-performance culture as well as the GORE-TEX moisture barriers that protect him and all of us in fire services around the world.
Over the coming week there will be some videos going out on theirs YouTube channel. We want to share where the podcast is going and the videos are a way of taking you all with us so check the link in our bio, subscribe to the channel to be first see a few short videos and interviews.
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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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#252 The Last of the Dinosaurs with retired Firefighter & Officer Dave Hodge Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Dave Hodge recently retired from an incredible career in the fire service.
Born in Scotland & grew up Australia Dave joined the fire service later than expected given how much he squeezed into his career. Through the firefighter exchange program he ended up working 30 years made up of 15 year stints in fire and rescue services on opposite sides of the world whilst also going on exchange 3 times to America during his career.
Today, we peak about;

Why being practically minded is essential for a firefighter
how being inquisitive is a super power
what you learn leading a bushfire strike force
the benefits of the international exchange programme
Queensland, Australia originally from Hampshire FRS in the UK
& how Back burning is an effective Wildfire strategy

If you want to reach out you can contact Dave at davidhodge1960@gmail.com to learn more about his life & career
We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY with every episode ever made & also get access to every Debrief & Subject Matter expert document shard with us then join our PATREON crew and support the future of the podcast by clicking 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.***

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#251 Truth, Culture & Getting to the Heart of the Problem with Shaun Keep & Paul Adams from SAY SO Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

Shaun & Paul come from a background is complex investigations, standards checking, codes of practice compliance and quality assurance. They have experience of taking witness statements and conducting interviews to criminal law standards (the highest legal standard of proof 'beyond reasonable doubt'). In particular, they have significant experience of managing sensitive information (up to level of Top Secret) including associated security measures.

Say so launched in 2017 to make a difference in organisations including Fire & Rescue, Police, NHS & care sector to make workplaces safer and better and to create the best possible workplace culture.
you can find out more about SAY SO:

Website www.say-so.co.uk
Web site contact form https://www.say-so.co.uk/contact/
Email info@say-so.co.uk
Tel 0800 321 3546 (option 2) for client relationship and sales team

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY with every episode ever made & also get access to every Debrief & Subject Matter expert document shard with us then join our PATREON crew and support the future of the podcast by clicking 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.***

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#250 Andy Kirk - Incident command, the decision vortex and preserving common sense Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

Andy Kirk is a highly experienced retired officer in the UK Fire service who now teaches incident commanders with a specialist knowledge in MTA awareness training through his company Centurion Command as well as a variety of other skillsets to first responders and others in related sectors.
In todays conversation we cover many aspects including:

Experiencing a real backdraft
common sense in the fire service
the importance of ongoing training
how to prepare officers for assessment and promotion
how to manage disengaged firefighters
the decision vortex
and much more.....

You can connect with Andy 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.***

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#249 Effective Command with Dr Katherine Lamb Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

Most organisation would like to believe they support and empower their leaders, commanders & first responders to make efficient and effective decisions, use discretion, apply a risk-based approach and provide the organisation with both competency-based assurance and operational accountability.

But how do you ensure that these front line leaders and the teams they work within, can operate safely and effectively, when faced with less frequent, but potentially more complex situations and cases, when realistic experience or training is harder to come by.

Dr Katherine Lamb is a respected authority on the training and assessment of Incident Command and crisis decision making. Katherine worked as an accomplished research academic before joining the Fire Service in 2004. During her Fire Service career, Katherine served in Birmingham, Manchester and Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Services, her final post was Lead Officer for incident command training and assessment.
In 2015, Katherine developed Effective Command, a behavioural marking system for the assessment and recording of incident command competence. This development tool is accredited and endorsed by several professional bodies and academic institutions, and it is used Internationally as the Best Practice methodology to train and assess incident command competence.
Find out more about EFFECTIVE COMMAND HERE
Connect with Katherine HERE
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
HAIX Footwear

Support the ongoing work of the podcast by clicking HERE
Please subscribe to the podcast on Youtube

Enter our monthly giveaways on the following platforms
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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

#248 Mountains, Mindset & The National 3 Peaks in 24 hours Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

We recently went and undertook The National 3 Peaks 24 hour challenge with Elite Adventures with some ex-military, marines and most importantly some great friends.
Climbing can be hard, but it's the most rewarding thing many of us have ever done. It takes us to places of incredible beauty, and it challenges us to find untapped reserves of strength and resourcefulness. It's also just plain fun, if you don't mind putting out a little effort.
If you want to find out more about Elite Adventures click HERE
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

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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

#247 How to reduce your likelihood of getting cancer as a Firefighter with James Meredith from Stoke and Vent Aug 19, 2023

Show notes

James is a UK firefighter, writer & champions firefighter health, sharing knowledged and to reduce the likelihood of getting cancer over the course of their careers through his platform Stoke & Vent.
There has been a lot of progress, awareness and guidance come out about FIREFIGHTER CANCER since James first came on the podcast. Today we cover over some of the recent case studies, data and guidance and share what firefighters can be doing to reduce the likelihood of getting cancer over the course of their careers.
James shares the message of stoke and vent where he Encourages firefighters to take a proactive stance on maintaining their health and abilities - Through a conscientious approach to physical & mental wellness, health & safety, and personal development he helps show how we can combat the risks we face at work and give ourselves the best possible chance of living a long and happy life throughout our career and into retirement.
James first episode on the podcast episode #69 HERE
James on LinkedIn HERE
Stoke and Vent socials HERE
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

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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

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