Pete Wakefield

Pete Wakefield is a serving Watch Manager in the UK fire service & also an Instructor in a variety of disciplines & off the job he is the founder of The Firefighters Podcast. The podcast began during COVID as a way to stay connected at a time when the job felt fractured and uncertain. What started as a small project quickly grew into a global platform built around real conversations with people from across the emergency services family and beyond.   Through the podcast, Pete speaks with firefighters, first responders, clinicians, researchers, leaders, and specialists from all walks of life. Each guest brings something of value, whether lived experience, hard lessons, or insight that helps develop those who choose this career. The focus has always been on honesty, learning, and connection rather than headlines or hype.   At its heart, The Firefighters Podcast exists to create something lasting. It is intended as a legacy resource for current and future generations of firefighters and first responders, a place to learn from others, feel represented, and understand the wider world of the job.   Alongside the podcast, Pete is the founder and lead of UK Pink Firefighters, supporting breast cancer awareness and those affected by it, while helping to challenge assumptions about who breast cancer impacts.   With a background in national level competitive sport Pete now competes in Firefighter Challenges winning multiple Golds nationally and Internationally and was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards, though he rarely speaks about these achievements himself.   Pete is known for his steady leadership, his ability to bring good people together, and his commitment to service over recognition. Guided by the principle Semper Paratus, he continues to serve, listen, and contribute both on the fireground and within the wider emergency services community.