Before joining Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service four years ago, Katie was a Military Police Dog Handler, and although had a achieved a lot in the RAF, wanted a change. She had seen the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) working with the fire service and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) with dogs running over rubble piles, and this piqued her interest.
Katie found the application process very straight-forward as having a military background, the examples almost wrote themselves. “The fire service’s Core Code of Ethics tie in very closely and almost run in parallel to the military core values.”
Katie has just passed the Crew Commander process and will soon be posted to her new role in Bromsgrove Fire Station. She enjoys her work and would consider further progression in time.
The job fits in well around her family life, with her partner also working in the emergency services, and she also works On-Call at Wyre Forest Station, responding from home on a fifty-hour contract, around her Wholetime shift pattern.
Katie played rugby, representing the UK Armed Forces and the RAF. She worked in a large dog section, running the shift, with ten staff and so is used to working with different people and characters, often overseas, where everyone has to work together. These elements have helped her in her teamwork with her watch, and aided her progression through the ranks.
Since being with the fire service, Katie has achieved a Government funded NVQ in firefighter operations, and has completed a health and safety nationally recognised qualification (IBOSH). Through the Service’s Personal Development Fund, Katie has gained a Level 2 gym instructor and Level 3 personal trainer qualification.
“I like to be busy! There’s so much more to the Fire Service than fighting fires and that’s what made me want to be a Wholetime firefighter.”
Katie’s RAF Background
Find out about Katie’s background as a Military Police Working Dog Handler in the RAF.
Katie’s Fire Service Qualifications
Find out about what qualifications Katie has gained since joining the Fire Service.