BDM, Rob, Joins Fire Service as Retained Firefighter

At SIMIAN, we are extremely lucky to have an amazing team of professionals who are continually seeking to improve health and safety standards for both the business world and within our local communities.

Business Development Manager for the South West, Rob Wolstanholme, is doing just that, and he has recently joined the Fire Service as a Retained Firefighter. Rob will now be combining his days at Simian, building relationships and meeting with clients to support the construction industry, with responding to emergency situations and increasing fire safety awareness for the local region.

We recently sat down with Rob and asked him a few questions about this new role:

How did you become involved with the Fire Service?

I have always embraced challenge and l like working out of my comfort zone so being a firefighter ticked all the boxes. Firefighting is a rewarding career that offers a very high level of job satisfaction. I find being a firefighter is a great job if you enjoy helping people and serving your community, however I quickly learned it can be demanding, stressful, and even dangerous at times.

 What was involved in becoming a Retained Firefighter?

Becoming a firefighter in the fire and rescue service does not come easily. In fact, I had spent months applying and preparing myself prior to application. It took me around 18 months to complete the selection process.

The process of joining the fire and rescue service varies between retained and full time throughout the UK but the principles are near enough the same. Once these initial selection steps have been successfully completed, your core training will commence which could take approximately 2 years to complete.

Basic Training

• Initial core skills
• Breathing apparatus level 1 & 2
• Road traffic collision
• SHACS (Safety height & Confined space)
• Water rescue

What will this role involve?

As a firefighter, we respond to emergency situations, protecting people, the environment and property from all types of accident and emergencies.

We work closely with the local emergency services, i.e. the police NHS, local communities to increase their level of fire safety awareness, in order to help prevent fires and accidents happening in the first place.

Promoting fire safety and enforcing fire safety standards in public and commercial premises, we act and advise on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks.

In this role we are continually provided with opportunities for training and development to update your knowledge through a series of lectures, exercises, practice drills and training courses, which are an integral and on-going part of the job.

How has SIMIAN supported you through this process?

At first initial stage of selection, I sat down with management to explain this has been a life-long ambition and that a recruitment opportunity at my local station was open. Simian did not hesitate and have supported me through the whole process. Being a firefighter comes with huge commitment in terms of attending emergency call outs and attending constant training programs. It really goes to show what a fantastic company Simian are not only supporting their employees in their career ambitions but showing their support to the emergency services!