Rob previously worked as an illustrator, becoming an On-Call firefighter ten years ago, which worked well alongside working from home. For the last eight years Rob has been a Fire Prevention Technician for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service working from 9am-5pm. He is an On-Call firefighter from 6pm-9am and at the weekend.
Rob said “Our neighbour’s daughter was involved in a serious road traffic collision locally and the watch from Peterchurch was called out. My eldest child was learning to drive, the kids brought home a leaflet from school about becoming an On-Call firefighter, I decided I had to apply. I started my role as an On-Call firefighter at Peterchurch Fire Station a few months after my 50th birthday. People ten years older than that now join the fire service as attitudes have changed a lot. Many of the watch have young children and there are different demands on people’s time but my children have left home now and I have more time to dedicate to the Service.“
“It would not have dawned on me to become a firefighter before I saw the leaflet. It may seem difficult to just walk into a fire station for the first time, but we welcome anyone coming to the station to give it a try, whatever their age.”
As long as Rob stays within 5 minutes of the station he can do what he likes, a non alcoholic drink at the local pub, or spending time in the garden for instance works perfectly with being an On-Call firefighter.
To learn more about becoming an On-Call firefighter:
- view the On-Call FAQs
- read other On-Call firefighter stories
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