These past few weeks Outwell station has been very busy. We’ve attended a number of calls ranging from RTC to building fires!
My first major building fire was certainly an eye-opener into how much team-work is necessary in this job. We were at the incident for around 6 hours, and the entire time I was working with not only my crew, but also many others. It was hard work as there was allot of hose running that night. I also got to get hands on with some more specialist equipment such as the TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) which lets us see where the fire is located, how hot it is in the area and essentially provides an insight into the invisible… Heat is impossible to see with the naked eye and when I was using the TIC, although the fire was located in certain places, the heat throughout the building was tremendous.
On this incident the ALP (Aerial Ladder Platform) attended, this is a piece of equipment I have not worked with before and I found it fascinating. I was putting nearly all of my fire ground skills to work which I have learned not only from my induction course, but also from drill nights. Eventually our crew was relieved. When we were tipped out it was pitch black, and as we left the scene the sun was rising! This incident was a true eye opener into how critical team work is, as well as just how much advanced equipment we have as a service.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far as a firefighter. There is never a dull moment as you are always learning, whether it’s new techniques for rescues, alternative uses for pieces of equipment, or even learning more about equipment that you haven’t worked with before, there’s always some-thing new.
As a female firefighter I have never felt like the ‘odd-one-out’. I am always treated equally and that is what I love about this job. I can get just as many opportunities and hands on as everybody else does. I’ve always thought it is important to encourage more women to join the service it is such a rewarding career. So when I was given the opportunity to take part in a photo shoot to do that I jumped at the chance. Elle and Harry came to Outwell to take some pictures of me at work and we had the best time. The new pictures will be used in adverts across the county soon, I can’t wait to see them.
For those of you that don’t know Outwell is only a stone’s throw from Welney. This time of year the A1101 at Welney wash can get flooded. Because of all the rain it’s been flooded off and on for the last month. The diversion is pretty far so people try their luck at getting through the road. We have been there 3 times and other crews have been there another 3 times to get people out of their cars that are stuck. It’s been a good experience for me to deal with water rescue and see some of the specialist kit we have. But not so good for those stuck in the wash waiting for us! Please, please never drive through this flood water or any, it’s dangerous – can wreck your car and could be the last thing you do!