The Red And Orange Life
My Training Experience: How it all begun
I wish I could say something cool like I was born to fight fires and save lives but I never really thought that was my path. As a little girl, I wanted to be a fashion designer, a choreographer and even a photographer at one point, until my early 20s I was recently unemployed and honestly felt a little lost. Your 20s are meant to be the time where you explore, make mistakes, learn and try new experiences and for me, I wanted to find a career I could be proud of; something rewarding, something that could make a difference and for as long as I can remember all I’ve wanted through life is to make a difference. Many things have inspired me, however until now I wasn’t sure if I was cut out to be a paramedic, police officer, doctor, nurse or anything so challenging and fierce. As much of an incredible feeling it would be I just didn’t think I had what it took and then one day I said to myself, ‘why… why not?’ Don’t I think I have what it takes? Why shouldn’t I challenge myself? Why shouldn’t I choose such an incredible and fierce career? So I did just that and realised that I wanna be… a firefighter.
A terrifying, dangerous, overwhelming and challenging career and a huge responsibility but what an incredible choice - the passion and enthusiasm I didn’t realise I had. I want challenges, responsibilities, motivations, a chance to be brave, to be the reason someone lives another day, and to be someone who has the power to make a difference. Firefighters do experience the unthinkable; they see pain, death, loss and destruction but they also see hope, love and second chances. I never said I wanted to be just like them when I grow up, well now I’m all grown up and that's exactly what I want.
Thursday 11th November 2021 is where it all started, after learning about the training process; what it included, how it worked, and what I would have to do trust me the nerves are there but I know it is what I want and that evening I sent off my application to be an on-call firefighter; all the excitement I was feeling taking the first real step is a feeling I will never forget.
The proud day I wear the uniform for Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be one of the best moments of my life I have no doubt. And throughout my 2 years of training, I will be writing all about the reality and challenges that I come across, the feelings, the accomplishment, the exhaustion, what it involves, what it takes to succeed in the dream I want.
