Newark Fire Station open day being held this weekend
This weekend Newark Fire Station are holding an open day for the public.
Local residents are being encouraged to get involved on Saturday to meet firemen and firewomen as part of the event.
Held between 10am and 3pm it hopes to give people a chance to have a look around the station and possibly get a taste for the career.
Events on the day will include:
- Demonstrations from the fire crew
- A look at heritage vehicles
- Meeting the fire investigation dog
- An ariel ladder platform
- Visits from Notts Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service
Crew manager at Newark Fire Station, Keil Fraser, said the open day will also raise funds for the Firefighters Charity.
It comes after a number of fire station open days were held across the country last month — including at Bingham Fire Station on July 20 — specifically targeting women to join the fire service.
Mary Amos, firefighter at Newark, applied to join Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in March 2018 and started her training in September.
She said although 13 weeks of training was intense and challenging — it was one of the most rewarding experiences she has ever had.
"On completing my training I was placed at Newark Fire Station and had my first shift Christmas Eve — definitely a Christmas I’ll never forget," said Mary.
"I have always had an interest in becoming a firefighter but was encouraged to pursue an academic career. I studied engineering at university, and enjoyed the problem solving element, but I was after a career that directly help others and satisfied my desire to contribute to the community. So when the opportunity to apply came about, I had to give it a go."
Mary said she feels privileged to be in her role as no two days are the same.
"One morning you're training in breathing apparatus for fire, another cutting up a car or operating a powerboat on the river, then the next minute you're responding to an incident that you have never experienced before," she said.
Being the only female firefighter in her crew, Mary said people sometimes call her a fireman-woman and wants to break down gender barriers.
She said: "I feel very lucky to be in the position where I can challenge the stereotype and be an example to younger generations that it is a job for everyone. We are all firefighters and bring different skills to the team — the more diverse a team the broader the skill set we have when we work together."
For more information on the open day at Newark Fire Station, please visit: www.notts-fire.gov.uk/our-stations/Newark
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