In this episode, I travelled to Northern Ireland to sit down with Simon Hunter and Chris Colgan with the team at Hunter Apparel Solutions for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of firefighter PPE, innovation, leadership and firefighter protection. We explore how modern fire kit is designed and developed, the growing understanding around contamination and decontamination, the responsibility manufacturers have to the firefighters wearing their products, and how listening directly to operational crews can drive meaningful change. The conversation also goes beyond PPE into the culture, values and leadership behind Hunter Apparel, offering a fascinating look inside a company working at the intersection of firefighter safety, technology and real-world operational need.

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Dan Stephens returns to The Firefighters Podcast to explore the next evolution of tactical firefighting in the UK. We discuss the work underway with the NFCC to turn decades of fire dynamics research and operational learning into clear, evidence-based tactical techniques and practical micro-teaches for firefighters. From BE-SAHF, exterior and interior fire attack, flow rates, hose management and anti-ventilation through to operational assurance, doctrine and incident command, Dan explains the ambition to create a more consistent national approach to what good looks like on the fireground — and how the same model could ultimately extend into wildfire, road traffic collision, extrication and wider operational practice.

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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

DELTA FIRE

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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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Professor Anna Stec is one of the leading voices in fire chemistry, toxicity and firefighter occupational health and in this episode we explore what the science is now telling us about the hidden health cost of firefighting. From her landmark UK firefighter contamination research and work with the Fire Brigades Union, to the Cancer and Disease Registry, firefighter health monitoring and internationally significant research following the Grenfell Tower fire, Anna explains what we now understand about occupational exposure, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, contamination through inhalation, skin and ingestion, and why simply reducing exposure is only part of the answer. We also discuss the major gaps that still exist in UK firefighter health data, why recording occupation and exposure matters, the need for consistent national health monitoring, and why the UK remains behind countries that already formally recognise occupational cancers in firefighters. This is essential listening for firefighters, fire-service leaders, retired personnel and anyone who cares about somebody working within the fire and rescue profession.

Connect with Professor Stec Here

FBU DECON: Fire Contaminants — main research, guidance and Registry hub

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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

DELTA FIRE

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