Join the Heroes
Local fire station welcomes new recruits.
Prudhoe’s Fire Station has been a beloved and heroic part of the community for many years, providing help and support to all who need it.
The fire station recently had an open-day: on the 21st of October, they opened their doors, and encouraged those from the local community, whom are interested in becoming a firefighter drop in for a debrief on how to apply to become one, how different equipment works, the different aspects of being a firefighter, the application process, and the reality that entails this profession.
For the initial segment of this community event, the station described the enrollment steps that lead to joining the fire brigade, these are referred to as the G-tests.
One of these tests include a ‘claustrophobia test’, where the individual is blindfolded, in total darkness, while equipped with the standard equipment a firefighter would be required to while on a call.
The other tests include a simple maths test that mainly focuses on gauges, a physical test, and a written test, as well as others which were unspecified.
Although these tests may sound daunting, Prudhoe’s fire station encourages those interested to ‘pop-in’, and they will give you more information, their experiences, and will even help you to practise some of the tests, such as the physical exam.
These courses are 6 weeks long, and consist of:
2 weeks on course
2 weeks off cours
An additional 2 weeks on the course
And, you still get paid while on the course.
All of Prudhoe’s firefighters enjoy their jobs, and want to motivate individuals to enlist; they did mention that not many people are actually registering, as only 13 people attended the last course.
Many stations struggle to find the people they desperately need in order to help the communities the way that they do.
Additionally, it was saddening to hear that in some cases, courses may have to be cancelled as there just aren’t enough people participating.
In case you are interested in becoming a firefighter, there were many perks mentioned: holiday and sick pay, you get paid double for working holidays, you can have glasses or a hearing aid and still be a firefighter, when you need to refresh your training you get paid for the days in which you train, you get a pension, paid on a monthly basis, there is a change in minimum hours, it is a part time job so can be balanced alongside another career, after 1 hour and 16 minutes, you get paid for 2 hours, whether it was or not, and it is a rewarding job.
As well as this information, the firefighters also disclosed some of their recent calls in which they had to answer to.
During the recent storm, they were called to Blythe due to the flooding, where they had to attempt to pump the excess water away, and divert traffic away from the flooded areas.
They were also dispatched to Hexham, for a farm fire, where they were required to tackle it swiftly and safely, ensuring that minimum damages and injuries were sustained.
There are various aspects of being a firefighter, from a water rescue, to a fire rescue, and various different calls, from a house fire, to a snake being trapped in its enclose - true story - but we know that at the end of the day, it is a rewarding and vital role, and those who choose to pursue it ar the true heroes.
When I attended the open-day, I had the honour of interviewing one of the station's very own firefighters: Firefighter John.
During this interview, I asked him various questions regarding the multiple dimensions of fire-fighting:
What is being a firefighter like?
“It’s interesting, because you don’t know from one job to the next what you’re actually going to do. When the alert is going off, you actually don’t know. Like before it was a gas leak, the other day it was a flood, the day before it could’ve been a car crash. It’s quite exciting and every single thing you do is different”
Do you recommend being a firefighter?
“I do. It’s not for everybody, but I do recommend it to anyone who has an interest in helping people and has a sense of adventure.”
Do you think enough people do it?
“Not in the local communities. I think a lot of people get put off by various things. A lot of people self doubt. But you can, you can do it. Work hard, and you can achieve it”
Are there different sections?
“There's different roles, most of us are fire fighters, and within our firefighter roles we have different specialties, like swift water rescue”
For the final segment of the evening, those who attended were privileged enough to be able to be shown the truck, the equipment found within it, and how it works and is used.
Within the fire truck, there is various equipment, so much so that even the firefighters refer to it as a “toolbox on wheels”.
The most recognizable one is the hose, which is used to extinguish fires. There are multiple hoses, which can connect to make a longer hose - one hose is 25m long, so when connected they can reach 100+ metres.
Furthermore, there is a device in the front of the truck called a MDT: this clever aids the department by giving the driver information, such as an accurate GPS, any possible hazards, and any useful diversions.
In the back of the truck there is also a portable pump, which is used when the truck cannot get near the water, as it allows the water from floods to be pumped back to the truck and is used in cases of flooding.
However, I thought that the most interesting piece of equipment was one that is found on the firemen: the “bodyguard”.
It is attached to the firemen and their masks when they enter a building, and senses if they pass out or get trapped in the building.
If it senses either of these, it will attempt to wake you up, and alerts those who remained outside of the building.
After a short period, if it does not detect that you have gained consciousness, it will start flashing and sound an alarm, making it easier for help to locate the firemen in danger.
To conclude, firefighting is a rewarding and fulfilling career, and if you are interested, I believe that you should try it out, or at the very least speak to your local fire station.
However, you do have to keep in mind that being a firefighter may seem rewarding, but it can get very real and very dangerous quickly: it is unlikely, yet possible you may see a death or experience your own.
Despite this, the firefighters whom I spoke to thoroughly enjoy their jobs and said that they would encourage people who have an interest in adventure and helping others, to enlist.
If this applies to you, maybe it is your time to join the heroes.
