Socials, support and safety: Firefighters share their experience as applications open for new roles in Bedfordshire next month
Three firefighters have explained what it is like serving Bedfordshire as part of the fire service’s latest recruitment drive.
Applications for wholetime firefighters open mid-January, and starting salaries are £30,384, rising to £38,881 once all training is done.
These firefighters work a 24-hour on, 72-hour off shift pattern, and must be willing to serve at any fire station across Bedfordshire.
Before the applications officially open, firefighters who are already working for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have shared their experiences of what the job is like.
Former cabin crew member Aaliyah McQuillan had worked in a hospital, a trampoline park, and on planes before joining the fire service.
It was one of her husband’s friends who encouraged her to go for the role, as a firefighter himself.
Six months before joining the service, Aaliyah started training.
She said: “I got myself a gym membership, making sure it had a pool because you are tested for swimming as well. I got myself on the treadmill, looked at some of the videos that Beds Fire and Rescue had about what is required for the physical testing and just made sure that I stood a good shot.”
Since firefighters respond to a range of emergencies like fires, road traffic collisions, water rescues, hazardous materials incidents and specialist rescues, they need to be in good shape to carry out all their duties.
Successful candidates will complete a challenging 14-week training programme, and will undergo an aerobic fitness test, a hose running exercise and a swimming assessment.
Aaliyah, who is based at the Luton station, managed to be successful on her first try. She said: “My top tip for becoming a firefighter is to get a gym membership and make sure that your physical fitness is up to the standard that Beds Fire requires because it is going to be strenuous in your training course and you don't want any nasty surprises.”
Chloe Grey, who joined as an on-call firefighter when she was 18, did not manage to get the wholetime job when she first applied.
She explained: “...it took me three attempts to get into wholetime. From doing the application process, I got better and better - there's many applicants that apply, so it can take quite a few times to get in. But you learn the process, you get better at the process. I kept persevering and trying to get in – I knew it's what I wanted to do.”
Chloe was 21 when she started working full-time as a firefighter. Every day on the job is different for her.
She said: “It can depend on the time of year as to what incidents we're attending, but we attend a lot of incidents here in Luton.
“And if we're not attending incidents, we do a lot of training, a lot of drilling. And if we're not doing that, we'll be doing home fire stage visits, engaging in the community, community fire safety and school visits.”
And outside of working, the service has a strong focus on social activities and bringing the workforce together.
Aaliyah said: "That's one of my favourite things about my team. We've done a ski holiday, we've done Christmas dos every year, Oktoberfest – we're very social and we love it.”
For Chris Parnham, who works at the Dunstable station, the best part of his job is the people he works with and knowing he’s helping the community.
He said: “We get a really good response – we're held in good regard in the community. Generally, people are pleased to see us, we get lots of waves from families and young children. It kind of confirms why we do this job and that we make a difference here.”
As a working dad, he said: “My kids absolutely love it – they love coming to the station, and when we drive past the fire station they always ask, ' Is that daddy's station?'”
Alongside emergency response, firefighters play a vital role in the community through fire prevention, safety education, school visits and supporting vulnerable people.
Applicants must be 18 or over by their start date, live within Bedfordshire or within 10 miles of the county boundary, hold a full UK driving licence, and meet health, fitness and swimming standards.
Chloe added: “My friends and family are very proud of me being a firefighter. They definitely get worried and check in on me – I get a lot of texts throughout my shift, but they are very proud.”
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