In this episode, Pete sits down once again with Watch Manager Mike “Stacko” Stachowicz GIFIRE a UK firefighter, international fire behaviour instructor, and long-time friend of the podcast to unpack his experiences from IFIW (International Fire Instructor’s Workshop) 2025. From live burns and tactical experiments in Colorado to conversations with global leaders like Andy Starnes, James Mendoza, John McDonough, and Keith Stakes from UL FSRI, Mike brings a firsthand look at the science, strategy, and mindset shaping modern firefighting.
Together, Pete and Mike dig into what’s changing on the fireground: the ongoing debate over hose sizes, advances in ventilation and water mapping, and how global collaboration is helping the UK fire service evolve its approach to training, welfare, and leadership. It’s raw, technical, and unfiltered for a deep dive into how international lessons translate into real-world performance for the crews on the ground.
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