Firefighter Podcast

In this episode, we explore one of the fire service’s most persistent challenges: how we recruit, retain and properly support on-call and volunteer firefighters in a world that has changed faster than the systems designed to sustain them. Joined by Brittany Hollerbach, Emelie Lantz and Dr Steve Sadler, we look beyond the usual “people don’t want to volunteer anymore” narrative and ask whether the real issue is that the model itself no longer fits modern family life, employment pressures, rural communities, training demands and the wider risks of the job. From the unseen burden carried by families and primary employers, to smarter training, flexible roles, data-led workforce planning and the bravery needed from leaders to challenge outdated structures, this conversation digs into what it will actually take to build an on-call and volunteer fire service fit for the 21st century. 
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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 incident debrief, we examine the two devastating fires at the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building in 2014 and 2018, unpacking how heritage construction, hidden ventilation ducts, timber voids, compromised fire protection during restoration, delayed detection, and an unfinished water mist system combined to create one of the most painful fire safety lessons in modern UK firefighting. The episode explores the operational response, the difficult shift to defensive firefighting, the challenges of commanding a rapidly developing heritage building fire, and the uncomfortable gap between knowing a risk exists and actually implementing the solution before the next incident happens. 
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William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on website
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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

“Speak softly and carry a big stick” is more than Jared Vermeulen’s favourite quote it reflects the way he thinks about leadership, responsibility, and the modern fire officer. Born and raised in the blue-collar fishing town of Jupiter, Florida, Jared grew up around construction and was originally working towards a career in industrial design engineering before the fire service found him. 
After completing his technical training and emergency medical degree with PBCC, he was hired by the City of Boca Raton as a firefighter in 2007 and has never looked back. Now a fire officer with over a decade in the seat, multiple state certifications in technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation, and the author of The Modern Fire Officer, Jared brings a grounded, practical, and deeply human perspective on what it means to communicate, motivate, and lead.
connect with Jared HERE
BUY HIS BOOKS HERE
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 
GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
MSA The Safety Company
JAFCO
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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. 
In episode three Brent takes us deep into the realities of high rise search, flow path, evacuation decisions and survivability. Using powerful lessons from the 200 Wellesley Street fire in Toronto, Brent explains how one open door, one broken window or one occupant action can completely change conditions for firefighters and residents. This episode explores area of refuge, shelter in place, people with disabilities, stairwells, lift lobbies, corridors, positive pressure, stack effect, hose line movement and the difficult truth that no fire department has the resources to do everything at once. It is a practical, honest and challenging conversation about reading the building, respecting the science and making better decisions under pressure. 
Additional Presentation Material from Brent Brooks HERE
International Tall Buildings Conference HERE
Brent Brooks LinkedIn HERE
Brent Brooks Website HERE
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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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Today’s episode is with Randy James from Fire Department Coffee. Randy is a career firefighter and paramedic from Rockford, Illinois, serving since April 2000. His journey took him to Ladder 5, working alongside Fire Department Coffee founder Luke Schneider, before becoming Director of Brand Relations and playing a major role in the Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation and the Rescue One project.
Rescue One is not just a fire truck that serves coffee. It is a disaster relief vehicle, morale unit, communications hub and practical support system for communities and first responders facing hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and life changing disasters. This conversation is about coffee, but more importantly it is about dignity, service, purpose, community and the kind of firefighters we should all be trying to become.
Find Randy HERE
Find Fire Department Coffee HERE
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew
Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE
 Please check out our Partners supporting this episode:
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