Firefighters Podcast

• #422 Health Span over Life Span Staying Operational to 60 with Chris Ward of Fit Fire Rescue part 2

   In part two Chris Ward moves from the personal story into the practical blueprint. This is where the conversation shifts gears and gets straight into the habits, behaviours and systems firefighters need if they want to stay fit for the job for decades, not months. Chris opens up about the emotional toll of testing, the stigma around capability, and the reality that annual fitness fear is often a lifestyle problem not a treadmill problem. He breaks down how shift work, on call pressure, modern declarations, poor recovery, bad sleep, erratic training and even small daily choices stack up into long term decline. Chris digs deep into programming, nutrition, movement, strength, cardio, and the mindset shift from “training for the test” to building year round operational readiness. From menopause to chronic disease, from confidence issues to the mental health benefits of discipline and routine, this episode gives firefighters a clear, honest, and achievable path back to control. If part one was the wake up call, part two is the map. Find Chris HEREAccess all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HEREPODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSend us a textSupport 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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• #421 Health Span over Life Span: Staying Operational to 60 with Chris Ward of Fit Fire Rescue part 1

  In part one Chris Ward goes deep on the truth about firefighter fitness, long term health, and the realities of staying operational into your sixties. From the early days of joining the service to the shock of pension changes, chronic illness, fear of capability tests and the uncomfortable slide from “fit at twenty eight” to “struggling at forty five”, Chris lays out why fitness for firefighters is no longer about passing a yearly treadmill minimum. It is about health span, resilience, and building a fitness pension that carries you through a forty year career and out the other side with a life still worth living. Raw, honest and full of lived experience, this episode cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what the job now demands.Find Chris HEREAccess all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HEREPODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSend us a textSupport 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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• #420 International Mens Day at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

  This episode is a rare role reversal for me as I step into the interview chair for a live recording at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service during International Mens Day 2025. Speaking with Station Manager Gary Devonport, I explore mens mental health, identity, masculinity and the realities that sit behind the uniform. We go into some deeply personal territory, from my past experiences with self destruction and addiction to the long road of recovery, alongside a wider conversation about the role men play as fathers, uncles, coaches and leaders in our communities and why positive male role models still matter.This is not a polished conversation and it was not meant to be. It is honest, challenging and sometimes uncomfortable, but it reflects exactly where I am at and what I believe needs to be talked about more openly. If you care about culture, leadership, the fire service or the pressures men carry silently, this episode will resonate. It is an invitation to think differently, reflect deeply and hopefully start conversations that go far beyond the watch room.Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HEREPODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSend us a textSupport 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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• #419 Forging Fire: Building Teams That Last with Dr. Johnny Torgeson

  In this episode I sit down with Dr. Johnny Torgeson, a US Army veteran, fire officer, educator and author of Forging Your Team: Demystifying Team Development for First Responders. Johnny brings an incredible mix of military precision, academic insight and real-world fire service experience, and together we dig into what it truly means to build teams that can handle pressure, conflict and change.We talk about his forging model of leadership, exploring how to heat, shape, cool and polish a team until it becomes something strong enough to withstand the heat of the job. We also look at trust, culture and how the next generation’s mindset is reshaping what leadership looks like in today’s fire service. Whether you are a firefighter, watch manager or senior leader, this conversation is packed with practical lessons and sharp insights you can use to build stronger, more connected crews.connect with Dr. Johnny Torgeson HEREbuy his book HERE explore his website HEREAccess all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HEREPODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSend us a textSupport 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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• #418 Why Emotional Intelligence Might Be the Missing Tool in the Fire Service with Chief Fire Officer Darren Dovey KFSM

  In this episode I sit down with Darren Dovey KFSM, former Chief Fire Officer of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, to explore how emotional intelligence can transform leadership in the fire sector. Darren’s 35-year career saw him lead through political upheaval, the transition to PFCC governance, and national crises like COVID and extreme weather. But beyond the operational challenges, Darren shares an honest and reflective look at his own journey—from a bright but rebellious firefighter to a leader who discovered that real influence starts with self-awareness.Together they unpack the science behind the EQ-i 2.0 model, how emotional intelligence links to culture, mental health, and decision-making, and why developing emotionally intelligent leaders may hold the key to tackling the fire service’s biggest challenges. This is a deep, authentic conversation about leadership, humanity, and how understanding yourself can make you a more effective firefighter, officer, and person.Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HEREPODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSend us a textSupport 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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