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Staffordshire Fire & Rescue: A Retained Firefighter's Story

Category: Staff Network Group

Alfie - Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Reatined Firefighter in front of a fire engine.

I first heard of the retained Fire Service when my wife, Natalie saw a recruitment poster by my village church.  The opportunity appealed to me as I had recently moved into the village and wanted to participate in village life.  Whilst walking my daughter to school each day, I would walk past the local fire station and I often found myself saying hello to one of the fire fighters. 

As I found out more about the role of a retained fire fighter it became more interesting. I had initially imagined the Retained role to be fairly limited one, voluntary and about helping the “real firefighters” get ready to do their job, putting out fires!  I found out a lot more once I met the Watch Manager and his crew and realised that this was not the case and I was to become a fully trained fire fighter.

It’s been a brilliant experience, I am now in my 3rd year as a Development firefighter with SFRS’s RDS scheme and I am enjoying every minute of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 have a regular job Monday to Friday in a company that supplies to the car industry.  I am on call with the fire service outside of these hours and I have to be within 5 minutes of my fire station for when a call comes in.  It’s been the most rewarding job I have ever done, in terms of job satisfaction and fulfilment, not to mention the interaction and feedback we get as fire crew from members of the public. The modern service is different to what I expected, there is a lot less of putting fires outs and more preventative work.  For example, Installing smoke detectors in people’s homes and educating them on fire safety in their homes and around their community.

As a fire fighter I work with the crew to attend local businesses, schools and community centres to provide support, advice and guidance on fire prevention.  I have also been trained to provide initial support when required for people who may need medical attention before the ambulance service arrives at an incident

When I told my children that I was going to be a fire fighter, they were so excited and couldn’t wait for me to start.  They are so proud when they see me in the village with the fire crew helping people in the community.  My youngest child now wants to become a fire fighter too.  I feel privileged to work for the fire service and so happy that my children see me as a role model because of what I do.

It’s a job that gives me a sense of pride. I work with a fire crew who have made me feel really welcome, they support me in my development, encourage me to learn and I know they will have “my back” in challenging situation as they really work as “one team” and I am part of that team.

 I would encourage others who might not have considered this career as an option, to really think about what the fire service is all about and think about joining.

Are you interested in a career with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue? Please click here.

Vercida works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with Vercida to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.

 

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VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please email [email protected] for more information.

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