Firefighter Podcast

We all want a watch that gets stuck in. People who check the kit properly, help the newer firefighter and leave things ready for the next crew. But what happens when the way we lead makes those same people think, “Why do I bother?” In this episode, I’m talking about owners, renters and squatters. Who’s helping the watch get better? Who’s just getting through the shift? And who keeps leaving their share for someone else to sort? I’m pulling together things I’ve learned from guests, thoughts I’...

Preparing for promotion is one challenge. Preparing to take responsibility for a crew is another. How do we develop both? Michael Elhihi, California company officer and founder of Front Seat Academy, joins me for a conversation about firefighter promotion, leadership development and preparing for the responsibility of the front seat. Michael’s work brings together promotional preparation, communication and Human Leadership. His starting point is a practical one: firefighters should be able to...

On 18 June 2007, nine firefighters lost their lives at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, South Carolina. In this debrief, I follow the incident from the initial report through the developing fire, civilian rescue and attempts to reach trapped firefighters. Drawing on the NIOSH investigation, NIST fire modelling and Charleston’s incident review, I explore concealed fire development, ventilation, water supply, breathing-air management, communications and command, with practical questions to t...

The job takes enough. What are you doing to protect your health? Former firefighter Alex Gapper, the coach behind Pumps and Plates Coaching, joins Pete Wakefield for an honest conversation about firefighter fitness, disrupted routines and building a life you have the health to enjoy. Busy tours, broken sleep, convenience food and missed workouts can knock anyone off course. Alex explains why trying to fix everything overnight often leads straight back to square one, and how to build a routine...

Five minutes from first arrival to collapse. On 24 January 2022, Baltimore firefighters responded to a fire at 205 South Stricker Street. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Kelsey Sadler and Kenneth “Kenny” Lacayo lost their lives. John McMaster was seriously injured. In this episode of The Firefighters Podcast, we examine the incident through the decisions facing crews and commanders: the information available on arrival, the condition of the building, the assessment of risk and the transition into fir...