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**Firefighter Podcast**

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

Latest Episodes:

#127 Shared Learning, personal development & supporting best practice with Fire Officer Ben Bee Mar 27, 2022

Show notes

Ben Bee is a Group Manager within the UK Fire & Rescue Service with a wide range of operational and non-operational experience.
In today's episode we discuss people's learning styles, National Operational Guidance, Leadership, Growth mindsets & how shared learning & acting on feedback can create the most effective and well-trained fire service for our communities now & in the future.
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
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Find out more about National operational guidance discussed in today's episode 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

#126 State of the fire and rescue services from Home Affairs Committee with Chief Inspector Sir Tom Winsor, HM Inspector Roy Wilsher OBE & Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Mark Hardingham Mar 20, 2022

Show notes

This is a recording from Home Affairs Committee on the State of the fire and rescue services in UKFRS. from members of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Chief Inspector Sir Tom Winsor, HM Inspector Roy Wilsher OBE & Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Mark Hardingham
This recording comes to you from Parliament live TV on Wednesday 2 March 2022 the link for which can be found HERE
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services serves to Promote improvements in policing and fire & rescue services to make everyone safer.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire & rescue services – in the public interest.
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out 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.***

Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

#125 London Firefighters Walk the Walk with Mental Health Walking Groups supporting by The Firefighters Charity and their New mobile APP Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

A group of LFB firefighters have set up a walking group that meets every week and encourages anyone joining to discuss any concerns or struggles they’re going through – before signposting anyone that needs further support to The Firefighters Charity.
LFB firefighters Dean Corney and Mark Smith know how essential seeking support early is to prevent your mental health from declining further… and that’s why they’ve taken matters into their own hands.
They recently set up a men’s walking group to encourage fire and rescue service personnel to join together, enjoy a walk and chat to each other at their own pace. They now hope to push the initiative out nationally, having seen incredible success in just a few short months.
Find out more by clicking HERE
All of this is supported by the Firefighters Charity who recently launched their App Available for web and mobile, please register today and join their dedicated space for the UK fire and rescue community to engage with each other, enjoy exclusive content and access support whenever they need it.
You can learn more about the app and sign up (for free of course) by clicking HERE
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
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Facebook
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To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

#124 Principled and effective humanitarian response with Sebastian Rhodes Stampa from UN OCHA Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

Sebastian Rhodes Stampa is Chief Emergency Response Section at UN OCHA

With its partners, OCHA contributes to principled and effective humanitarian response through coordination, advocacy, policy, information management and humanitarian financing tools and services. OCHA’s country and regional offices are responsible for delivering the core functions in the field by leveraging functional expertise throughout the organization.
UK Firefighters form part of UK ISAR who for the past 30 years have been part of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) INSARAG has constantly improved and adapted its globally recognized quality standards and methodology in order to save more lives. Significant progress has been achieved over the years to make INSARAG fit for purpose and achieve our common goals working with UN OCHA.
To find out more about UN OCHA click HERE
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

#123 BreaktheBias on International Women's day with Women In The Fire Service Mar 05, 2022

Show notes

In celebration of International Women's day we welcome Women in the Fire Service UK to host today's episode.
WFS was set up in the 1990s as a self-help group. Our members of all genders, come from all roles across the Fire and Rescue Service – from ﬁreﬁghters and control staff, administrative and support staff and senior officers, to members of airport, defence and works ﬁre services.

Since its formation, the members have sought to influence the equality agenda, taking active roles in research, for example into women’s ﬁt ﬁre kit, supporting positive action initiatives, working with the government in nationwide campaigns for recruitment and playing a part in national groups with other stakeholders. We are recognised nationally, currently holding a seat on the Fire Sector Federation, amongst other inputs to the local and national agenda.
“Enabling and inspiring confident and successful women to build a more progressive Fire and Rescue Service.”
to find out more visit the WFS website HERE
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear
IRRTC Specialised Training Providers
Take a look at a short video of IRRTC's recent course HERE
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
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To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

A fire engine on the water - London Fire Boats & Rescues on the Thames with Sub Officer Lee Davies Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

London Fire Brigade has 2 fire boats, the Fire Dart and Fire Flash. They are moored at Lambeth river station and are used for a variety of incidents, such as people stranded in the River Thames, fires on boats, crashed boats, and riverside property on fire.

What is a Fire Boat....basically A fire engine on the water. LFB's current fire boats were specially built for them. They are a class of boat called a ‘Wave Patroller’, and each has a slightly different specification.

Fire Dart and Fire Flash are both fast twin-engined, single-hulled landing crafts. They have been designed with shallow draft – a flat bottom – for use on rivers and inland waterways. Both have a reinforced keel, so they can ‘beach’ the boats on the Thameside and lower the access ramp without harm.

Fire boat statistics:

Their Top speed = 30 knots – 33 mph
Fitten with 2 Water pumps = 2 x Hamilton 291 water jets
A max Water supply = 1800 litres per minute
Each Fire boat has a crew of four led by Crew Manager

The fire boats launched 147 times in 2017, though it varies from year to year. One of the most famous fire boats – the retired Massey Shaw – is credited with saving over 500 lives as one of the ‘little ships’ fleet at Dunkirk. Like their current fire boats, she has a relatively flat hull so was able to get closer to the shore.

This meant many soldiers could wade out and climb aboard, to be ferried to the larger ships. She was the only boat in the fleet to make three trips to the beaches, and was crewed by firefighters who volunteered for the dangerous rescue mission.
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
Rosenbauer
&
William Wood Watches
See the specific TWISTER CROSS Rosenbauer boots I was talking about by clickingHERE
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

#122 Personal Prep, Logistics, Communications & Culture with UKISAR Feb 27, 2022

Show notes

In this episode we hear from many operators, functional roles and partners of UKISAR as we feast on a buffet of input from some of the inspiring people who are part of this organization.
The primary function of UKISAR is to respond on behalf of HM Government to overseas emergencies, usually involving search and rescue from collapsed structures. Its volunteer members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode. You can learn more about our partners by clicking on their links below:
IRRTC Specialised Training Providers
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear
Take a look at a short video of IRRTC's recent course HERE
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

#121 Forensic Firefighting with James Sayer & Cat Maidment Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

My guests today are James Sayer & Cat Maidment.

James started his career in 2010 as a retained firefighter with Humberside Fire & Rescue Service and served as an operational firefighter for 7 years before re-training as a paramedic at Sheffield Hallam University in 2017.
Soon after graduating as a paramedic he was offered a unique opportunity to complete a Master’s degree in Forensic Science at the University of Huddersfield Towards the end of which he undertook a research project on the forensic element of ‘Disaster Victim Identification’ developing a plan to intertwine his academic interests with his previous experience to conduct what is believed to be the first-ever firefighter/paramedic led emergency service forensic awareness research in the UK – world.

The research proposal was titled: “Assessing The Forensic Awareness of Fire and Ambulance Service Personnel When Attending Mass Fatality / Mass Casualty Incidents”.
I am also joined by his project supervisor Cat Maidment from the University of Huddersfield who has been instrumental in supporting both the construction and delivery of this project. Cat teaches on Forensic Science and covers the Forensic Anthropology specialism. She also teaches in other areas of forensic science including forensic taphonomy. Cat is also currently a PhD researcher at the University of Central Lancashire researching the use of alternative light sources (ALS) to detect skeletal remains underwater. She has a BSc degree in Death Investigation from Teesside University and an MSc in Forensic Science (Forensic Anthropology) from the University of Huddersfield. Alongside Cat's extensive academic record she also has significant laboratory and scientific experience working in a range of environments including histology laboratories, a hospital mortuary and a university setting.

We should also acknowledge Professor Anna Williams from the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy (LFSA) who co-supervised the project.
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
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To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE
A big thanks to the support of our partners for being part of the FFP family
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear

Send us Fan Mail

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

Lieutenant Colonel John Doone of the Kosovo Security Force hosts UK ISAR's Cold Weather Development Feb 2022 Feb 19, 2022

Show notes

Today I'm speaking with Lieutenant Colonel John Doone of the Kosovo Security Force.
In a short series of mini-episodes we will be covering the work of UK ISAR as they traveled to KOSOVO for training in cold weather deployments.
Listen in over the next few mini-episodes as we discuss:

International operations
The base of operations roles and responsibilities
leadership development
the new diverse team in training
Rubble pile wide and wide-area searches
The 4 pillars of survivial
Command and Control
Navigation principles and much more........

The primary function of UKISAR is to respond on behalf of HM Government to overseas emergencies, usually involving search and rescue from collapsed structures. Its volunteer members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A big thanks to our partner IRRTC Specialised Training Providers for supporting this episode.
Take a look at a short video of IRRTC's recent course HERE
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE

Send us Fan Mail

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

An introduction to UK ISAR's 2022 Kosovo Cold Weather Development training with Russ Gauden Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

In a short series of mini-episodes we will be covering the work of UK ISAR as they travelled to KOSOVO for training in cold weather deployments.
Listen in over the next few mini-episodes as we discuss:

International operations
The base of operations roles and responsibilities
leadership development
the new diverse team in training
Rubble pile wide and wide-area searches
The 4 pillars of survivial
Command and Control
Navigation principles and much more........

The primary function of UKISAR is to respond on behalf of HM Government to overseas emergencies, usually involving search and rescue from collapsed structures. Its volunteer members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Get notified of each Podcast episode as soon as they come out by clicking HERE
Follow the podcast on
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
To learn more about the podcast or become a partner of the podcast Jump over to our website by clicking HERE
A big thanks to the support of our partners for being part of the FFP family
William Wood Watches
HAIX Footwear

Send us Fan Mail

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

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Sebastian Rhodes Stampa is Chief Emergency Response Section at UN OCHA

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