As we get ready to welcome 18 new recruits onto our Firefighters apprenticeship scheme we took some time to chat to our current apprentices still working their way through the course and to those who support and work with them.
FF Philip Golsby
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?
I have enjoyed the variety of jobs I’ve attended. Every incident is different and often requires a different approach to the last one. It’s a process of continual learning so knowledge and skills are always being improved.
What has been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me was to go through the change from a normal civilian job to working in a disciplined service. Standards are very high in every area from your appearance extending to how you conduct yourself in and out of work. You represent the Brigade as soon as you join. Once you routine yourself it becomes easier but the initial change was a little difficult.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the FF apprenticeship?
Go for it. It’s the best job in the world and the apprenticeship provides the training required to become a competent firefighter. The learning curve is steep, but the job satisfaction is worth all the effort.
Outside of FF skills have you learnt anything else?
Aside from Firefighter skills I have learnt to become more disciplined and organised in everyday life. The job requires this high level of dedication, but the positive impact extends to home life as well.
FF Ryan Cave
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?
The thing I have enjoyed most about the apprenticeship is learning a completely new skill with no previous experience and seeing the progress I have made in the past 2 years. Every day is a learning day so whatever we are called out to, I need to be prepared to used prior knowledge and also ask for any help when needed.
What has been the biggest challenge?
The hardest challenge has been the steep learning curve. Looking back at how little I knew when I first joined, and then comparing it too now, and then also looking ahead at how much I still have to learn, it is very exciting.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the FF apprenticeship?
As well as the learning that takes place practically, there has also been a lot of learning and self-reflecting through use of IT. Due to fire calls and drills, I would advise that you keep on top of your IT side of it ensuring everything is completed weekly so that at the end, you don’t have one massive load to complete which can seem daunting.
Outside of FF skills have you learnt anything else?
My confidence within myself as a person and when communicating with others has really improved. I still feel I have a lot of room to grow but the apprenticeship and being on a Watch has really brought me out of my shell.
FF Isobel Rothon
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?
Responding to incidents! I enjoy the varied workload of responding to incidents and completing training, and I like how different each and every incident we respond to can be.
What has been the biggest challenge?
The amount to learn is huge and I know I will continue to learn new things and develop throughout my career as a firefighter. I think the varied training and approach to learning helps me to take in as much information as I can and apply my knowledge in different situations.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the FF apprenticeship?
Ask lots of questions to people already in the role, everyone is here to help and takes the time to show me new things and explain things to me which has helped me so much.
Outside of FF skills have you learnt anything else?
Before joining BFRS I lived out of the County and had limited knowledge of the local area. Now living and working in Buckinghamshire I am gaining a better understanding of the local community, the roads and areas we go to and a better understanding of the diverse community we work to protect.
