A day in the life

If you’re thinking about becoming a firefighter, you might wonder what a day’s work could look like.

Every day can be different, but a typical one might look like this…

08.00 START OF SHIFT

I usually get to work at 7:30am, change into my uniform and get my fire kit ready. During parade, the officer in charge (OIC) details my duties. Today, I’m assigned to wearing BA, so when the crew are ordered to ‘fall out’ (this means parade is over), I get on the fire engine, check my BA set and then check other pieces of equipment.

09.00 DRILL SESSION

Sometimes we practice the basics, like putting ladders up against the tower. Other days it could be something more technical, such as simulating a line rescue scenario where I have to rescue a casualty from a cliff face.

10.30 TEA BREAK

11.00 TRAINING LECTURE

Today the OIC talks about command and control at incidents. I’ll be brushing up on risk assessment, mobilisation levels and how I can work with other blue light services to get the job done quickly, safely and efficiently.

12.00 LUNCH

12.20 INCIDENT

During lunch the bells go down, so the crew rush to the fire engine and put on their firekit. The OIC and driver grab the turn-out sheets with details about the incident – today it’s an RTC with persons trapped.

As we head up onto the moor tops I see debris in the road and an overturned car resting against a stone wall with its windows smashed and every panel damaged. I fear the worst. Ambulance crews are in attendance and the Police are just arriving to close the roads. The OIC gives us specific tasks – mine is to stabilise the vehicle to ensure it doesn’t move.

As I emerge from the fire engine I breath a sigh of relief; the driver is alive and crawling out of the vehicle. I continue with my task, whilst my team members carry out casualty care and make the scene safe by disconnecting the car battery.

It’s all about teamwork and it’s really rewarding to be part of a team that’s helped save someones life; I can’t explain the buzz I get! Back at the station, I have a quick cup of tea before I clean the equipment and check my personal protective clothing to ensure it’s not contaminated with oil.

13.00 PREVENTION AND PROTECTION

After lunch, I’m often out in the community. Some days are spent on fire protection, inspecting businesses to ensure they meet fire safety regulations. Other days I can be fitting smoke alarms in people’s homes or attending open days. The role of firefighter has changed massively in recent years. I now work more proactively with our local partners to help prevent fires.

17.00 FITNESS TRAINING

It’s an extremely demanding job, so I need to make sure I’m physically fit. Every six months I have to pass a fitness assessment, and if I don’t put in the hours it’s a bit of a struggle.

18.00 INFORMATION INPUT

After training, it’s time to input the day’s home fire safety and fire protection paperwork.

19.00 END OF SHIFT

The oncoming and off-going watch parade, then the off-going watch are free to go home.

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