Community Action Team Volunteer
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Luke S
0.00.00 My name is Luke S. I live in Manchester and I’ve worked, at the moment I currently work for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. My job title with the Fire Service is Community Action Team where we go into local communities letting them know about all the health and safety issues in their home and then seeing if they’re got an escape route and then putting smoke alarms up as well.
0.00.30 The job type is actually voluntary at the moment where I do a three month period with them and then they’ll probably offer me a paid job after the three months. The subjects I liked most in school is PE and sports. I went to college after I finished school cos I finished school at the age of 16, so went South Trafford College for three years after that. I did the NVQ Level 1 sport and rec. and did the activity leadership.
0.01.00 I decided not to go back for another year cos I was getting a bit disillusioned with it, just like going in doing the same thing every day. And it just really wasn’t for me. My dad works for Manchester City Council and my mum’s a social worker. They basically wanted me to do what was right for me and what I was going to feel happy doing. I wanted to get a job in sports, that’s when I came across the job with the karate.
0.01.30 It was a trainee karate instructor and I actually worked as a lunchtime organiser at Green End Primary School in Manchester, but it’s just going round supervising the kids, playing games with them and stuff. How I actually got in contact with the Prince’s Trust was through Manchester’s Job Centre where I lived, so I went down to the induction day to find out a bit more about the Princes Trust and what it’s all about and then a few weeks after that they rang me up and offered me a place on the course.
0.02.00 And you do a residential and that was the most fun I’ve ever had in the one week. We did abseiling which I’ve never done before and I actually tried to do it but my top half wanted to go backwards, the bottom half was not moving whatsoever and my team members, the team, one of the team leaders as well actually helped me overcome it by giving me the support and backing to go out and do it.
0.02.30 It felt great when I got to the bottom. The people who really inspired me are my parents actually cos they’ve supported me throughout. Without them I don’t think I would have completed the Princes Trust courses cos I wanted to basically quit after the second, third week. And then my parents actually made me think what are you going to get out of it if you quit now?
0.03.00 It’s made me a better person and it’s given me the self confidence and self-esteem to actually go out, do things and I also coach a local football team which is called FC Blue Star. And it’s just helping kids, giving them an opportunity to go out and try and make it in the footballing world. I’ve found a few players out of my current team, even now training with Stockport County and other professional clubs.
0.03.30 My parents actually are quite impressed in what I’ve done over the past year and stuff. Cos they have actually noticed a big change in my lifestyle, my attitude, everything else, cos the Prince’s, that’s all down to basically the Prince’s Trust cos it’s changed my outlook on life.
0.03.51
Luke S is a volunteer with Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. He also coaches a local football team. He left college after doing a sports and recreation course and didn’t know what to do next. He was offered a place on a Prince’s Trust course. He found it challenging and nearly quit but his parents persuaded him to see it through. It’s completely changed his outlook on life.
More information about Fire service officers (watch manager and below)
The UK average salary is £29,813
There are 37.5 hours in the average working week
The UK workforce is 47% female and 53% male
Future employment
- Inspects premises to identify potential fire hazards and to check that fire fighting equipment is available and in working order and that statutory fire safety regulations are met;
- Arranges fire drills and tests alarm systems and equipment;
- Travels to fire or other emergency by vehicle and locates water mains if necessary;
- Operates hose pipes, ladders, chemical, foam, gas or powder fire extinguishing appliances;
- Rescues people or animals trapped by fire and administers first aid;
- Removes goods from fire damaged premises, clears excess water, makes safe any structural hazards and takes any other necessary steps to reduce damage to property;
- Attends and deals with bomb alerts and accidents involving spillage of hazardous substances;
- Advises on fire safety measures in new buildings;
- Supervises a watch.
