45 Years in the Fire Service | Bruce's Story

*WARNING* this episode covers some raw content including traumatic deaths and suicide. In this episode, we sit down with Bruce — Chief Fire Officer, mentor, and the man Levi calls his "fire dad." Bruce joined the fire service at 18 and hasn't looked back. What started as a bit of volunteering became a 45-year journey through leadership, loss, identity, and a complete rethink of what it means to be strong.Whether you lead a team, serve your community, or are quietly carrying more than you let on — Bruce's story will hit home.Bruce Nilson - Chief Fire Officer of the Tauranga Volunteer Unit, 45 years as a volunteer firefighter and a respected leader. Bruce is known for being supportive and no-nonsense. ..............Forged by the Fire is a podcast built around honest conversations that happen best around a BBQ. It’s where real people sit down, share food, and talk openly about resilience, mental health, identity, and purpose—without filters or fluff.Hosted by a firefighter studying psychology, the show brings together frontline workers, leaders, athletes, and everyday people who’ve been tested by life. Each episode blends lived experience with practical psychological insight, turning chaos into clarity and struggle into understanding.Pull up a seat. The BBQ is on.