Staff Profiles

I have been a retained fire-fighter at Birtley fire station since April 2004.  At the time I first applied I was working as a delivery driver but felt I needed a new challenge so I made enquiries at the local fire station about vacancies for whole time staff.  I was informed by the station clerk there were no vacancies at present but they were currently recruiting retained firefighters. 

 

I filled in the application and started attending the drill nights over a number of weeks to see what the role involved and I was soon convinced it was something I wanted to do.

 

I was asked to attend a day at the Training Centre where took part in various tests in addition to an interview. A few weeks later I was told I had been successful and to attend Birtley fire station on Tuesday night for my drill period. After a few weeks I attended an initial training course (where I received training in dealing with road traffic collisions, composite drills and first aid and trauma care), followed by a Breathing apparatus course at Durham Fire and Rescue Service where I learned more about fire behaviour. On completion of a competence to ride exam I was finally on the run. I was told by the Watch Manager at the time I had to be available at least 72 hours in a 1 week period and had to state my availability at least 24 hours beforehand.

 

On one of my first jobs I rescued a racehorse from its overturned horsebox. It was a great feeling when we released it unhurt. Being a retained fire-fighter is more than just a job, there is more of a team atmosphere as we all live in the same community and have to rely on each other at every incident.