In this episode of our AFOA 2026 Conference Live mini-series, you are going to hear a presentation from Peter Critchell and Craig Rayner exploring the development of the all-hazard leader within aviation fire and rescue. Drawing on experience from across the UK fire and rescue sector, the session examines how organisations can move beyond simple compliance to develop truly competent, confident and adaptable incident commanders capable of operating in complex, high-risk aviation environments. The discussion covers command competence, behavioural assessment, interoperability, decision making under pressure and the importance of continuous professional development through realistic training, simulation and structured review. This presentation challenges organisations to think critically about how command capability is developed, assessed and maintained within modern emergency response environments.

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In this episode, I speak with Kresse Wesling CBE, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse, about how decommissioned fire hose once destined for landfill became the foundation of a sustainable luxury brand built on three pillars: rescue, transform and donate. Kresse shares the origin story behind discovering London Fire Brigade hose, the journey from handmade belts to globally recognised products, and why 50% of profits from the Fire-hose Collection support The Fire Fighters Charity. This is a conversation about purpose-led business, waste, craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, firefighter legacy, and the powerful idea that materials which have served once can still have work left to do.

Connect with Kresse HERE

See Elvis & Kresse Products HERE

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William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

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JAFCO

IDEX

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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 this special High Rise Masterclass miniseries, The Firefighters Podcast brings you live recordings direct from the International Tall Buildings Conference and specialist high rise firefighting masterclass held in London in May 2026. Across this series, internationally respected high rise firefighting instructor Brent Brooks shares decades of operational experience, command insight and research driven learning around modern tall building firefighting. These talks explore the realities of high rise operations including water supply, hose movement, flow paths, fire behaviour, ventilation, stairwell management, command pressures and firefighter safety inside increasingly complex urban environments. Designed for firefighters, instructors and incident commanders alike, this series bridges the gap between fire dynamics science and real world fireground tactics through honest, practical and highly valuable operational discussion.

Additional Presentation Material from Brent Brooks HERE

International Tall Buildings Conference HERE

Brent Brooks LinkedIn HERE

Brent Brooks Website HERE

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Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are

William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

PBI high-performance fabrics

FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators

GORE-TEX Professional Clothing

MSA The Safety Company

JAFCO

IDEX

FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD

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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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I sit down with Helmut Zepf, Managing Director of the PPE Division at PBI, and Bill Lawson, President of PBI, to explore what is really protecting firefighters inside their PPE.

As The Firefighters Podcast begins its partnership with PBI ahead of INTERSCHUTZ 2026, this episode looks beyond the badge on the kit and into the science, history, and real-world performance behind high-performance protective fabrics.

From PBI’s origins in high-temperature polymer science and NASA, through to flame resistance, break-open protection, durability, comfort, field testing, procurement, and the changing nature of modern fires, this conversation asks a simple but important question:

How much do firefighters truly know about the gear they trust with their lives?

In this episode, we discuss:

• PBI’s origins and connection to NASA
• Why heat transfer matters as much as flame
• Break-open protection and decomposition temperatures
• Why heavier PPE does not always mean safer PPE
• Comfort, movement, fatigue, and firefighter performance
• Durability after real-world operational use
• Procurement decisions and what fire services should be asking
• Why modern fires demand modern protection

This episode marks the start of our partnership with PBI and a wider conversation about firefighter safety, education, innovation, and understanding the PPE that helps bring crews home.

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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 this episode of The Firefighters Podcast, I sit down with Jack Goodwin for a powerful conversation exploring resilience, trauma, identity, and the psychology of high performance. A Great Britain international athlete with personal bests of 13:35 for 5,000 metres, 29:16 for 10,000 metres, and a 61:05 HYROX time, Jack shares lessons learned from years competing at an elite level and how those experiences shaped his understanding of mental health, discipline, suffering, and purpose. Together, we discuss psychological safety, coping mechanisms in high pressure environments, social media, self worth, ego, neurodiversity, and the importance of authenticity in both professional and personal life. This episode is a deep and honest exploration of what it really means to pursue excellence without losing yourself in the process.

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

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Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are

William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

PBI high-performance fabrics

FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators

GORE-TEX Professional Clothing

MSA The Safety Company

JAFCO

IDEX

FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD

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

In this special High Rise Masterclass miniseries, The Firefighters Podcast brings you live recordings direct from the International Tall Buildings Conference and specialist high rise firefighting masterclass held in London in May 2026. Across this series, internationally respected high rise firefighting instructor Brent Brooks shares decades of operational experience, command insight and research driven learning around modern tall building firefighting. These talks explore the realities of high rise operations including water supply, hose movement, flow paths, fire behaviour, ventilation, stairwell management, command pressures and firefighter safety inside increasingly complex urban environments. Designed for firefighters, instructors and incident commanders alike, this series bridges the gap between fire dynamics science and real world fireground tactics through honest, practical and highly valuable operational discussion.

Additional Presentation Material from Brent Brooks HERE

International Tall Buildings Conference HERE

Brent Brooks LinkedIn HERE

Brent Brooks Website HERE

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are

William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

PBI high-performance fabrics

FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators

GORE-TEX Professional Clothing

MSA The Safety Company

JAFCO

IDEX

FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD

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

In Episode 3 of our AFOA 2026 Conference Live mini-series, Principal Aerodrome Inspector Neil Gray from the UK Civil Aviation Authority provides a comprehensive industry update covering key developments affecting aviation fire and rescue services. Topics include terminal safety, the importance of Safety Management Systems, risk mitigation and maintaining operational focus within complex aviation environments. This episode offers valuable CPD for anyone seeking a broader understanding of the regulatory, strategic and operational issues shaping the future of aviation firefighting.

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Learn about AFOA HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are

William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

PBI high-performance fabrics

FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators

GORE-TEX Professional Clothing

MSA The Safety Company

JAFCO

IDEX

FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD

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

In this episode I sit down with Mike Maybin from IRRTC to explore how rapidly evolving vehicle technology is reshaping the fireground. From electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries to hydrogen systems and heavy goods vehicles, Mike explains the hazards firefighters are increasingly likely to encounter and why many of our legacy tactics, training packages and assumptions are struggling to keep pace. We discuss the science behind battery fires, the importance of understanding thermal runaway, and the operational realities of dealing with incidents that can burn hotter, longer and with far greater complexity than conventional vehicle fires.

This conversation is a practical and timely update for firefighters, officers and trainers who want to stay ahead of the curve. Mike shares insights from his extensive work across the UK and internationally, highlighting the progress that has been made, the gaps that still exist, and what fire services need to do now to ensure crews are properly prepared. If you are involved in operational response, training delivery or strategic planning, this episode will help you better understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the next generation of vehicles.

Learn about IRRTC HERE

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

Please check out our Partners supporting this episode are

William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website

PBI high-performance fabrics

FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators

GORE-TEX Professional Clothing

MSA The Safety Company

JAFCO

IDEX

FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD

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