People > Recruitment > A day in the life of a Firefighter
                                             > Today's Itinerary

Following appliance and equipment checks the watch will receive a lecture on hazardous material procedures (chemical spillage) followed after break by a practical training session in the station yard on road traffic accident casualty handling techniques.

After lunch Norwich 5 will attend a local school for a community fire safety visit, Norwich 4, 6 and 7 will be visiting Norwich Cathedral for a familiarisation visit, and last thing today will take part in watch physical training.

It is my second day shift, a Wednesday in the middle of August. As I make my way, with the remainder of the crew, to the fire engine I will ride for the day, I wonder what other unplanned activities the day will bring, fires, rescues, road accidents, or special services such as dealing with chemical spillages, who knows? That is what makes this job so appealing to me, not knowing what to expect. The mixed emotions and experiences a typical day may provide, range from, excitement, fear, fatigue, sadness and joy to list just a few.

I reap great satisfaction and enjoy the sense of pride I share with my colleagues; a sense that is prompted by those we serve, those who hold us in high esteem for what we do, just coming to work and doing our job. This coupled with the camaraderie and friendship developed within the team that I am a part of makes this, for me the best job in the world.

As I sit in the rear of the crew cab on Norwich 5 checking my breathing apparatus (BA) set, the station public address system bursts into life, we’ve got a shout (a fire call). The turn out system makes an electronic warble sound, that still even after fifteen years seems to inject pure adrenaline into your blood stream. The warble stops and a calm but urgent voice is heard delivering the mobilising message.

Order two water tender ladders to a house fire, persons reported, 19 Brockdish Road, North Kiln.

This message is repeated as a paper copy is fed out of the station printer.

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