Firefighter Podcast

This is our follow up from #308 - the second part episode with Dave O'Neill MBE. Dave retired from London Fire Brigade as AC of Special Projects in October of 2023 following an incredible career spanning 3 decades in the UK Fire & Rescue Service. In the 2021 New Years Honours he was awarded an MBE for masterminding the fire service support to the Ambulance service and PMART (the multi agency response to covid related deaths at home). He finished his career as the head of Head of Rescue/IEC/International Operations for LFB and now works as the  Director of Operations Institute of Search and Technical Rescue, Chair of Fire Aid and International Development and many other personal and professional commitments spending time giving back to the world of Search & rescue.

You can find Dave HERE
Find out more about the Institute of Search & Technical Rescue HERE

 We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications 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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In the early hours of Thursday 23rd January 1958, local firefighters arrived at the Smithfield Meat Market. By the time the blaze was finally contained, days later, two members of the London Fire Brigade were dead and a further twenty-six firefighters were hospitalised.

This incident, which was instrumental in modernising firefighters' breathing apparatus and breathing apparatus procedures, proved how great things can be achieved if society learns from tragedies.

 We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
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Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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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

Dave O'Neill MBE retired from London Fire Brigade as AC of Special Projects in October of 2023 following an incredible career spanning 3 decades in the UK Fire & Rescue Service. In the 2021 New Years Honours he was awarded an MBE for masterminding the fire service support to the Ambulance service and PMART (the multi agency response to covid related deaths at home). He finished his career as the head of Head of Rescue/IEC/International Operations for LFB and now works as the  Director of Operations Institute of Search and Technical Rescue, Chair of Fire Aid and International Development and many other personal and professional commitments spending time giving back to the world of Search & rescue.

You can find Dave HERE
Find out more about the Institute of Search & Technical Rescue HERE

 We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

This episode was recorded at the 22nd annual Woman In The Fire Service with the Incident command team leading on the multi incident scenarios and developing firefighters and commanders. Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS) was set up in the 1990s with its purpose of Enabling and inspiring confident and successful women to build a more progressive Fire and Rescue Service.

You Can find Siobhan on Instagram HERE
You can find Information on WFS HERE

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

10 June to Sunday 16 June is National Diabetes Week - Type 2 diabetes is a national health emergency in the UK. For every 1,000 employees, 82 have diabetes, 20 of these do not know they have the condition – the majority of people have no symptoms when they are diagnosed. Given how much time we spend at work, workplaces are a significant factor in our personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes and our ability to manage diabetes if we have the condition. diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population and causes 190 limb amputations a week (outcomes referred to as ‘diabetes complications’). Around 500 people die prematurely each week in the UK from diabetes as the primary cause. This is a growing concern for first responder workers as our life styles, diets, sleep & work conditions can lead us to be more susceptible to this condition.

You can learn more from my guest Kate Walker HERE

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

Siobhan is a 38 year old mother of 2 and more recently a firefighter in London Fire Brigade. Whilst going through her application process she realised there was no one explicitly sharing their journey through the training process in the fire service. This is why she set up thefiremum. She wanted to create a safe space where she can share her journey, any tips along the way and allow others to ask questions.

This episode was recorded at the 22nd annual Woman In The Fire Service. Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS) was set up in the 1990s with its purpose of Enabling and inspiring confident and successful women to build a more progressive Fire and Rescue Service.

You Can find Siobhan on Instagram HERE
You can find Information on WFS HERE

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

Chris Westfield started his Fire service career in 2003 whereby within the same year he was involved in a near death experience operationally at what became known as the TELSTAR HOUSE fire.

A 20 Pump High-rise Fire; Telstar House was located on Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London. It’s an office building that was constructed during the late 60’s, the building did not have a sprinkler installation and the floors are set up with open space office landscapes. London Fire Brigade mobilized 135 firefighters to this incident.

This incident early in his career led Chris down a passionate path studying fire behaviour and firefighting tactics. Chris became an instructor creating courses and delivering for London Fire brigade the fire service college & subsequently in his role still now in the UKFRS.

Chris still serves operationally and in training alongside his current role in fire protection whereby he is using his broad exposure and experience to help drive change within the commercial sector while still delivering fire behaviour training to serving firefighters.

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

Links for today’s episode references:

High Rise Fire-fighting: Telstar House (highrisefirefighting.co.uk)

A black day in E3. – A retired London Fireman (home.blog)

Disused warehouse fire - Bethnal Green | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk)

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

The Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a regional sporting event run alongside The British Firefighter Challenge. It is for both serving and retired firefighters.

Held annually, the Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a set of gruelling physical and mental tests designed to showcase the skills and strength of firefighters. It’s an opportunity to come together as a community, to support and celebrate each other’s achievements, and to demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of firefighters.

Find out more about the event:
Visit the WFC Instagram
Visit the WFC Website

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

 At just after 22:30hrs on Monday 22nd May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised device at the Manchester Arena in the UK where around 14,000 people, mainly teenagers and family, had travelled from across the UK to attend the concert of Ariana Grande.

The bomb killed twenty-two people including many children. Over one hundred were physically injured and many more suffered psychological and emotional trauma. The Manchester Arena attack was the deadliest in the UK since the London bombings on 7th July 2005. Although the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum had done many planning exercises, the events of 22nd May were something none of those involved had ever encountered before. This was a real-world test of the plans and assumptions.

My Guest today John Fletcher, with over 28 years experience as a uniformed manager with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service & was the lead NILO (National Inter-agency Liaison Officers) during the Manchester attack. John takes us through the events of 22nd of may drawing lessons learned as we dip in and out of different reports overlaying his own experiences and recollections of the event.

You can download FREE RESOURCES HERE
You can connect with John HERE
Kerslake Report
Manchester Arena Enquiry

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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

On this Bonus episode we joined Daisy Byron, Clare Fletcher & 160+ first responders from 31 fire and rescue services across the UK for an adventure in the peak district. hear about how this whole event came about and how to get involved yourself.

You can download FREE RESOURCES HERE
You can connect with Daisy at [email protected]
Join the Facebook Page for Women Wanderers 999

We only feature the latest 200 episodes of the podcast on public platforms so to access our podcast LIBRARY, every Debrief & document CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
PATROL STORE UK
HAIX Footwear
ROAM all Natural Meat Snacks
GRENADE
RIP INTO Podcast Apparel
Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated and  for firefighters this cost

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