Vicky Best

After playing an integral role answering 999 calls in the fire control room, Vicky wanted to become more involved in operational duties and made the dramatic change to become a firefighter.

Having spent some time at stations as part of a watch, Vicky worked through the ranks to be part of the strategic leadership team as an assistant director/area commander.

Vicky said: From attending incidents on the appliances to managing Stations or a department such as Training Centre my jobs have been both challenging and rewarding.  I have worked with some great people within each role who all bring different backgrounds or skills to the workplace.  No matter what job you do in the service they all contribute to making a difference to people within our communities and on occasion that difference can be life or death.

But what is it like being a woman in a job that historically has a stereotype for being a job for the boys?

Vicky said: "I don't see myself any differently from the men and they don't treat me any differently. I had a really good insight into the Service from my time in Control so knew there were very few women as operational firefighters but that hasn’t stopped me from progressing my career’.

Vicky suggests anyone interested in becoming a firefighter should research what the role entails and visit a station to meet people who already do the job.

She concludes: "You will challenge yourself and learn skills you never thought you would have but will become part of a team of people who are well respected by members of the public for the job we do. Moving forward there are opportunities to progress within the service once you feel ready for the next role."