Charlotte McGuiness
Area of work: Fire and rescue service
Employer: London Fire Brigade
Qualifications: BSc environments and ecosystems, King’s College London; PGCE, King’s College London; MSc sustainable environmental management, Middlesex University
After university, I worked in a mixed secondary school for a year to gain my qualified teacher status. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of the profession, but I wanted to be out and about more, rather than be confined to a classroom. The fire and rescue service was an appealing career choice as it combined the excitement of operational work with educating the community.
Intensive training
Many people still think of firefighting as a career for men, but there are more and more women joining the service all the time.
I joined a graduate scheme and my four-week initial training focused on the history of the brigade, legislation, management structures and the management perspective. In addition, I undertook the 18-week standard fire-fighter operational training: I was taught basic firefighting skills like ladder safety, hose laying, using breathing apparatus, and dealing with road traffic accidents and chemical incidents.
The course involved study both in the training centre and at home in my spare time. After grasping the basic skills and gaining my first aid certificate, I had on-the-spot experience of the heat, humidity, flames and thick smoke of a simulated fire at a fire-training facility.
On successfully completing my training, I was allocated to a fire station in Greater London. I work two day shifts then two night shifts, followed by four days off. I’m expected to participate in all relevant training and contribute to my own development; it’s important to ensure I can safely handle the ever-changing demands and hazards I may face in my job.
Motivating work
Many people think of firefighters as people who purely attend fires, but there’s more to it than that. My role includes attending emergencies, office-based tasks, community engagement, education and training. For example, I visit people in their homes to give advice on fire safety and fit smoke alarms if necessary.
I talk to organisations that work with people most at risk from fires, such as the elderly, so that they can help us to protect them. We also work with young people to explain the dangers of fire, how they can protect themselves and the consequences of making hoax calls. The variety keeps me motivated and provides opportunities for me to use my skills in different areas.
I am proud to work at the frontline of the emergency services and I do not feel that being a woman holds me back in any way. Many people still think of firefighting as a career for men, but there are more and more women joining the service all the time. I do exactly the same job as my male colleagues and have always got stuck in and carried out all tasks to the best of my ability.
Sharp thinking
To be a successful firefighter with the potential for promotion, you need to be motivated, dedicated and up for a challenge. You need to bring fresh ideas and sharp thinking together to help inform policies and agendas within the service. My advice for any graduate wishing to come into this sector is simply to find out for yourself what it’s like – through open days, doing your research and getting in touch with fire brigades – and to give it a try.