Page 12 - link magazine
P. 12
12 The Link Magazine • February 2003
Climbing the fire service ladder
A West Swindon woman who switched from being a keep fit instructor to become a firefighter has not
looked back on her decision to hang up her leotard in favour of a helmet, heavy jacket and protective
hnntc_
Specialists in PVCU,
Jo Bell, 27, was pic- ing, but I'm much fitter
windows, doors and
tured in last May's Link, in the upper body than
conservatories. just before leaving her I used to be."
job as an activity assist- Whilst ready for a
ant at the Link Centre to 'shout' at the fire sta-
start a fourteen week tion, Jo works with her
intensive course at fire watch on a constant
services training college. round of equipment
Now she has just com- checks and mainte-
pleted her eight month nance, as well as drills
check and is loving to improve fire fight-
Tel: 01793 848177 or 770596 every moment as a fire- ing skills.
,22 Ravens Walk, Wootton Bassett fighter. Having passed her
It's been an eventful eight month check,
12 months for Jo as she Jo with Green Watch colleagues, from left, leading firefighter Simon there will be further
was only accepted for Pearce, firefighter John Boughton, sub-officer Andy Cresswell written and practical
training this time last tests at 13 and 18
J.F.K year; some applicants have to wait Below, preparing for a pump drill months. Her probationary period
BUILDING for two years to join. Following ends after two years, but she'll have
to pass final exams after four years
her training she was posted to
SERVICES Green Watch at Swindon fire sta- to be fully qualified.
In Swindon there are now three
tion where she worked her first
four day shift before getting mar- women on different watches,
Extensions, Alterations, ried on 23 August and jetting off Tracey Peters at Central, who quali-
Renovations on a safari honeymoon in Kenya. fied with another brigade,and
"The original plan was to start Cathy Raftery who joined Stratton
All aspects of garden after I came back from honeymoon, fire station in May last year.
construction including fencing but I was offered a tour before Within weeks of joining her sta-
All general building work going away," said Jo. "It was a tion Jo was out on strike with her
chance to get to know the others colleagues. She said it was dis-
Tel: Mr J.F. Keenan on the watch and find out what the tressing for all of them as they
(01793) 727824 work was like for real. I was ex- would prefer to be ready and able
hausted from the training but it to save lives.
was a fantastic adrenalin rush to
go out on the fire appliance for the
first time."
1 1 1 1
Jo has always had an interest in
becoming a firefighter or joining
the police, but had spent seven
years in leisure management with
SOLUTION Swindon Council's recreation serv-
ices.
Maintenance free Firefighter training covered all Ic
the basic requirements, such as lad-
UPVC fascia boards
der work, dealing with house fires,
cladding & guttering major incidents and road traffic
accidents, as well as safety and
Expertly fitted at DIY prices Jo, getting ready to leave the Link Cen-
equipment maintenance.
TREM, Suitvl:v The last five months have been tre, from last May's Link
NO DEPOSIT busy and have given Jo plenty of But apart from the unexpected
opportunity to apply the training distraction, her decision to pursue
Work it out for yourself as well as develop team spirit with a different career was the right
her watch. Although new to the one. "Joining the fire service has
20' fascia board fitted £ 60
job, her colleagues have expected more than met my expectations,
20' fascia & gutter fitted £135
her to perform at the highest level. it's a really a great job. No two
20' fascia, soffit & gutter £205
"We were the first pump to arrive days are the same; one moment
20'fascia & soffit £130
at the Peugeot garage fire at you're taking apart a pump in the
(prices correct at time of publication)
Mannington in November and I workshop, the next you're pulling
was second in line pulling hoses on your equipment and piling into
through the workshop to find the the truck.
seat of the fire. "Being a woman in the fire serv-
"The watch has also attended ice is not a problem; the guys at the
several house fires and I went into station have been very helpful and
1 one where smoke from an unat- we get on really well. Obviously I
tended cooker had overwhelmed can't lift the weights they can, but
two occupants. With acting lead- then I can get into spaces they can't.
For a free quote ing firefighter Gareth Francis we It's all about working together as a
( JTI*I pulled them clear. It was my first team to get a job done."
time with a real person; much more
difficult than dragging out a Left, instruction on pruning the portable
dummy in training. pump from leading firefighter Simon
e-mail: [email protected]
"Physically it can be exhaust- Pearce
