To encourage more ladies into my profession....

[Hannah4banana]

Come on ladies, there must be some mumsnetters bored of the 9 - 5 and looking for a challenge. It's not for everyone but the time off and holidays are fantastic and there's a degree of flexibility. I work 2 x days 2 x nights for 7 weeks then get 18 days off.
I'd love to have some more strong inspiring ladies in my crew.
Here the link
www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs/wholetime-firefighter-149388?from=org
Any questions ask away. I'm 5ft 2 and 9 stone and I can do it. It's more than being a big burly bloke these days

magimedi

We were called ladies at the Open Day for London Fire Brigade. We were referred to as ladies at the National Firefighter Cross Country Running Championships which I competed in as a guest. What is wrong with ladies?

I am sure this will cross your mind if you are ever dragged from a burning building!

The OP is offering great advice here.

You made it sound like an MLM. Do I have to buy lots of fire and water then try to sell them to my friends through pressure selling while being told “hun, keep going, you’re doing good”?

BellaVista1540

The OP did make it seem like a multi-level marketing scheme. Maybe it was deliberate. Well I for one am glad I opened the thread!

BarbaraofSeville

Jack Monroe was not a firefighter, she was a Fire Control Operator. And there were more issues relating to her employment and departure than were revealed.

Whilst not wanting to take over answering for the OP, there are lots of you worried that you are too old to do this job - there is NO age limit and actually we are not allowed to even ask for your age when you apply.

I was surprised to see your post OP. Not in a bad way, I think it’s great you want to encourage more people into the profession. It’s just that here (somewhere midlands / central England ish) male or female, it is almost impossible to get into the fire service. I know a few people who have applied multiple times. People are basically told not to apply and vacancies are few and far between. It seems similar to the London situation.

Retained maybe yes, they have vacancies but that is mainly because the shift patterns are brutal and completely incompatible with family life, unless you have someone else who can pick up the slack. I feel so sorry for anyone around here who wants to be a firefighter as realistically the chances are close to zero unless you are prepared to be retained and commit to being on-call almost all of your free time (I am not exaggerating- people have to say when they will not be free to be on-call and then are quizzed as to why).

Is there a big shortage up in Scotland then?

Good for you !

Genuine questions

Do you get back pain and aches ?
How do you handle the heavy work ?

It’s not for me as 45 now and desk bound

But sounds like an interesting role 😬

Hmm, I wouldn't fancy being a firefighter but I am tempted to become a pcso.

Typical MN

OP raises a genuinely interesting topic
OP picked in for usually an unpopular term

Sheesh . So many pedants

I just knew that OP was written by a man.

Hmm, I wonder why there are so few 'ladies'

Stopfucking - there's an element of irony in your post. It pisses you off that people are being 'pedantic' (in your opinion)......it pisses other people off being referred to as a lady. It's not your place to police what pisses people off. It's an important and admirable occupation for sure but the twee, patronising tone of this one-woman recruitment drive grates quite frankly.

Or more likely actually, one-man recruitment drive.

Why do you think the OP is a man?

OP my exSIL was a volunteer fire fighter (as have several men in my family been over the years) I was in awe of her, and the work she did. She stopped when she was pregnant and never went back to it after becoming a parent.
I couldn't do it. Health aside, I feel the risk is too high, as a parent. The only people I'd run into a burning building for now is my DC.

Good on you though, thank you.

Thanks for posting this OP . Have you thought of doing an AMA?

The patronising tone and the fact I didn’t read down to the bottom of their post.

Who has childcare for night shifts? I don't think that would work for me. Granny Murray's the only childminder I've seen who takes children overnight!!!

Ah yes, Granny Murray . The shift worker’s dream childcare.

Interesting that people think I am a man. I most definitely am not last chance I looked.
The shifts are definitely a hurdle. I actually used to work in the control room before I became a firefighter. A lot of women there were actually married to firefighters. With the shifts they managed to split the childcare complety equally, the only downside was that they didn't have much time together which was a shame.

We have had so many retirements that we have been actively recruiting for the last 2 years to fill the vacancies. I actually got in on my 3rd attempt so applying more than once is common as competition is fierce.

I'm sorry some people are offended by the word lady, I do t know what's pc anymore esp on mn. I've been called a lot worse at 2am by members of the public so this job probably isn't for you.

Children are the best though, they don't know what to call you.

Firemanwomanthingymagummy

Best one I heard was firefightress! I'm keeping that one

I'm the only female at a station of over 60 so it does have challenges. I just wanted to show some of the positive aspects of the job and that a lot of the work we do now is community based.

Cheers for all the comments, I'm interested to see what everyone thinks.

Great idea for a thread, thanks Op

Hi OP. Do you get a Class 2 HGV license with the training, or is that a further stage? I worked with a firefighter who did agency work on his days off, as he'd got the license and he was tacho and wtd exempt while on watch.

I am a lady so take no offense what so ever. You can also call me girl.

Hi DisgraceToTheYChromosome, I'm actually just about to start my Hgv training very soon. They prefer you to get a good all round grounding as a firefighter before you start driving. I'm nervous but looking forward to trying something new! I'm worried about driving under blue light conditions as members of the public seem to panic when they hear sirens and do the strangest things. I'll have responsibility for myself, my crew and everyone else on the road!
Another string to my bow as they say

What do you have to get on the beep test?

(Purely for my own humbling or bragging depending on your answer...)

It used to be 9.6 but it's now 8.8
When people apply they actually underestimate the beep test because they are fit and already run but there's definitely a technique to it. I downloaded a copy and practised in the aerobics hall at my gym when there's were no classes on. Same for the equipment carry which is the toughest part of selection.
On the practical day it's the beep test first then all the other strength tests with the equipment relay saved till the end, it's designed to push you to your limits so it's a tiring day!
I was absolutely spent at the end, I couldn't have given any more