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How to become a firefighter in Lincolnshire - and why it’s such a worthwhile job




Camaraderie, excitement and the chance to save lives won’t describe every job that’s out there.

But in each of our towns a small team is enjoying these and other qualities on a regular basis.

Jonny Tyers is a roofer by trade and admits his day job isn’t generally a thrill a minute. But having signed up to be a Lincolnshire firefighter 30 years ago, each day brings the opportunity to help others in a time of crisis.

On-call firefighter Jonny Tyers has clocked up 30 years' service at Stamford Fire Station
On-call firefighter Jonny Tyers has clocked up 30 years' service at Stamford Fire Station

Jonny, an on-call firefighter for Stamford Fire Station, said: “I signed up when I was 19 years old because it was something different - a break from the norm when my working week could otherwise be quite mundane.

“Back in those days there were 24 of us in Stamford, with people from Newage, the brickworks and Blackstone’s, as well as a couple of milkmen. The large employers were happy for a few of their people to be called out to an emergency in the town.

“These days several of us are self-employed, which also gives us that flexibility.”

Harry Bell, Haydn Johns, Mark Smith, Andrew Butt, Dominic Wyche, Jonny Tyers, Martin Candish, Chris Naughton and Jacob Smith from Stamford Fire Station
Harry Bell, Haydn Johns, Mark Smith, Andrew Butt, Dominic Wyche, Jonny Tyers, Martin Candish, Chris Naughton and Jacob Smith from Stamford Fire Station

Jonny has seen the role of firefighters change over the years. They attend fewer fires because people have smoke alarms alerting them to a problem before a 999 call is needed.

And although accidents on the A1 result in a large proportion of the calls to Stamford Fire Station, the removal of the Carpenter’s Lodge roundabout at Stamford and changes to the A1/A47 junction at Wansford have had a positive effect.

Stamford Fire Station receives about 400 calls a year - an average of just over one a day - which makes it the busiest on-call fire station in Lincolnshire.

Being on the border of three other counties, Stamford’s firefighters can be asked to attend incidents in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, working alongside crews from Peterborough and Oakham, as well as those based in Bourne, Market Deeping, Corby Glen and Grantham.

Firefighter Martin Candish wearing breathing apparatus
Firefighter Martin Candish wearing breathing apparatus

Some of the most memorable days in the job for Jonny have happened across the county border, and he recalls one of them as a huge fire at a perfume factory in Essendine back in 2003. At its peak 70 firefighters were at the scene and it was 24 hours before the fire was under control. The factory has suffered a similar blaze only 18 months before.

A fire in the headmaster’s accommodation at Stamford School in June 2020 was also a memorable one for the team, but having to attend incidents involving people they know, and children, is what Jonny and fellow crew members find most difficult.

Fortunately the training on-call firefighters receive prepares them for much more than extinguishing fires. They are often first on the scene of an incident, administering first aid, trauma care and CPR, as well as rescuing people trapped in crashed vehicles, in burning buildings, or in flood water.

Stamford firefighter Chris Naughton carries out a weekly inspection of their breathing apparatus at Stamford
Stamford firefighter Chris Naughton carries out a weekly inspection of their breathing apparatus at Stamford

In his time as a firefighter, Jonny has used his CPR training twice while not on call, and he feels having the skills to save someone’s life is a boost to his confidence.

“Being a busy fire station, our firefighters gain a wealth of experience quite quickly, and the training we receive is extremely good,” he said.

“My son James is a firefighter in Stamford too, and it’s matured him a lot. Helping people and having a responsibility in the community can only be a good thing.”

Jonny Tyers, left, who received his 30-year service medal, with his son James, also a firefighter in Stamford
Jonny Tyers, left, who received his 30-year service medal, with his son James, also a firefighter in Stamford

According to Jonny and his watch manager Jacob Smith, firefighters need to be hardworking, physically fit, calm under pressure and tolerant.

If they attend a particularly stressful or potentially disturbing call, they talk to each other about it back at the station to reduce any tension and anxiety, and they have what Jacob describes as ‘first class’ welfare support available to firefighters generally.

Stamford Fire Station training night is on Monday evenings, when crew members are briefed on any changes to the service or kit, job opportunities, and who will be working together if they are called out. They also inspect all the kit aboard both of the station’s fire engines, including cutting and spreading tools used for road accidents, breathing apparatus used in smoky environments, ladders, ropes, hoses and first aid equipment.

Stamford firefighter Andrew Butt replaces the cutting and spreading tools after checking them
Stamford firefighter Andrew Butt replaces the cutting and spreading tools after checking them

Stamford has two fire engines housed at the New Cross Road fire station and a dozen firefighters who have on-call shifts, during which time they might be called upon to take a fire engine out. Jacob would like the number available to cover on-call shifts to reach 15 this year.

He said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone who thinks being an on-call firefighter could be for them. There is no doubt it improves you as a person, bringing self-confidence and skills, as well as first aid training which can be useful back in the workplace.”

The Market Deeping crew also issued an appeal this week, to boost its numbers from the current seven.

Crew manager Harry Bell, firefighter Martin Candish, crew manager Haydn Johns, firefighter Mark Smith, firefighter Andrew Butt, firefighter Dominic Wyche, firefighter Jonny Tyers, firefighter Chris Naughton and watch manager Jacob Smith at Stamford Fire Station
Crew manager Harry Bell, firefighter Martin Candish, crew manager Haydn Johns, firefighter Mark Smith, firefighter Andrew Butt, firefighter Dominic Wyche, firefighter Jonny Tyers, firefighter Chris Naughton and watch manager Jacob Smith at Stamford Fire Station

To become an on-call firefighter in Lincolnshire applicants must be aged 18 or over, live or work within five minutes of a fire station, provide work or academic history for the last three years, and contact details for two work referees.

Those interested can visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/firefighter-recruitment, call 0800 350204 or visit their local fire station on a training night.

The service also runs ‘have a go’ days at its training centre in Waddington, giving an insight into what an on-call firefighter does and the required strength, fitness and aptitude. Details are available at tinyurl.com/HaveAGoDays.



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