Meet Watch Manager Katie, who has been in the fire service for twenty years.
Katie joined in 2004, leaving behind her role in the ambulance service for a different kind of challenge. She went on to become a firefighter serving in both Wellington and Shrewsbury Fire Stations.
She said: “I always had the desire to work for the fire service. I enjoy working with my local community and wanted to continue.
Helping people has always been important to me and gives me a great sense of satisfaction, but doing this in what could be one of the most difficult times of their lives is a real privilege. “
Being a firefighter involves working as part of a close team and being prepared for anything as no day is the same.
Katie added: “I’ve enjoyed everyday as a firefighter, the watch members become your friends. Some days it hasn't felt like going to work. The camaraderie was one of my favourite parts.
"I've enjoyed everything from the bonds you create with other watch members to the difference you make to someone’s day carrying out a safe and well visit, by potentially being the only person they see that day.
One minute you could be doing training drills or visiting children at school and the next you could be going anywhere to be part of a team attending an emergency incident. ”
Katie has moved up through the ranks, from Firefighter, to Crew Manager and now Watch Manager. She is now using her experience as a firefighter in the Protection Team, where she is utilising her skills and developing new ones in a different part of the fire service.
She said: “When I joined I was immediately interested in the importance of preventing fires and ensuring buildings are safe for those who use them.
I was happy being a firefighter on the watch but I also wanted to explore my interest in this area.
It feels completely different to what I have been used to for many years with my current role being office based but I like to challenge myself and I am learning lots of new skills and gaining qualifications in the process.”
We are now recruiting for wholetime firefighters and there are endless opportunities in the Fire Service. So ask yourself where could a career in firefighting take you?
For more information on applying to be a wholetime firefighter and what the role entails visit https://shropshirefire.gov.uk/wholetime-firefighters
