This episode is essentially a long, mostly uninterrupted monologue charting the slow and graceful unraveling of my internal thought processes over the last twelve months. There is no guest. There is no structure anyone would recognise as sensible. Just me talking through what 2025 actually looked like, what the podcast quietly became, and the ideas, questions, and mild existential spirals that refused to leave me alone this year.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind the podcast, what I actually think about the fire service, leadership, culture, success, failure, or life in general, this episode might be useful. There are a few practical tips, some mental hacks I’ve leaned on, a handful of lessons that landed the hard way, and a look at what I’ll be focusing more on in the year ahead. I’ll also fill you in on what we’ve been up to along the way. Think less “highlight reel” and more “director’s commentary with questionable decisions and occasional clarity.”

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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 part one of this two-part episode, I’m joined by Dave Payton and Ian Evans, co-founders of Fire Tactics and two of the most experienced fire behaviour and breathing apparatus instructors to have worked in the UK fire service. With decades of experience spanning West Midlands Fire Service, the Fire Service College, and national BA and fire behaviour training, this conversation cuts straight through doctrine, buzzwords and inherited habits to focus on what actually happens when theory meets heat.

This episode explores how fire behaviour training has evolved, where it has drifted away from operational reality, and why firefighters need understanding, not just procedures, when conditions start to change. If you want fire behaviour that is honest, practical and deployable, this is where it starts. Make sure you follow the links to learn more about Dave and Ian’s current work with Fire Tactics and the training they deliver across the UK and beyond.

Contact Dave HERE Iain HERE

FIRE ATTACTICS HERE

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

our partners supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators
• MSA The Safety Company
• JAFCO
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20

Send us a text

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, Pete sits down with Dr Lynsey Mahmood, PhD, a behavioural scientist and applied psychologist whose work bridges academic research and real world fire and rescue operations. The conversation explores how psychology shows up on the fireground every day, whether we acknowledge it or not. From watch culture and social identity to leadership, behaviour change, and organisational blind spots, Lynsey explains why who we are, how we belong, and what we value shape the way we act under pressure. Together they unpack why evidence based practice can struggle to gain traction in operational environments, and how biases like sunk cost and confirmation bias quietly influence decision making across the service.

A central focus of the episode is the Psychology of Rescue project, which examines rescue from the casualty’s perspective rather than purely through technical or procedural success. Lynsey challenges listeners to consider the psychological impact of extrication, questioning whether well intentioned rescue practices may unintentionally add to trauma. The discussion highlights the importance of casualty centred communication, interdisciplinary research, and training that considers psychological safety alongside physical outcomes. This is a thoughtful, challenging conversation about leadership, identity, and professional curiosity, and why understanding human behaviour is essential to the future effectiveness and credibility of the fire service.

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

our partners supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operators
• MSA The Safety Company
• JAFCO
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20

Send us a text

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