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A firefighter has provided an insight into the job and why he is "proud" every day to put on his uniform in the hope of convincing islanders to consider the career.
John Le Cornu joined Jersey Fire and Rescue Service in 2003, working as an operational Firefighter, Crew Commander and now Watch Commander.
He has worked as part of operational teams dealing with incidents, as part of Technical Fire Safety and the Training Team, and currently works in Headquarters Support.
He says: “I’ve been very lucky that I have had a varied career and worked in every department of our organisation as well as in a specialist team in the UK. Having a varied perspective has let me really appreciate what a great career this is, and how proud I am to be able to wear my uniform every day.”
This month, Jersey Fire and Rescue will be launching a recruitment campaign to find more people like John. Ahead of that, he shared five things he loves about his job with Express...
I’m lucky to work with skilled people from incredibly diverse backgrounds, from the military, building trades, finance industry, fresh from college or even the entertainment business.
Pictured: "I’m lucky to work with skilled people from incredibly diverse backgrounds."
Everyone has skills and knowledge to offer the team and we are constantly learning from each other.
It gives all of us a great sense of pride when you see people’s faces lift as you arrive, and you realise they have complete trust in you to make whatever has happened, a bit better.
Pictured: "They have complete trust in you to make whatever has happened a bit better."
The community have always been appreciative of our efforts and I’ve always felt supported at incidents, whether it’s the offer of a cup of tea or a simple thank you after a tough job.
Working in Jersey Fire and Rescue lets you interact with all parts of our community, from the young to the old, the rich to the poor. Fire doesn’t discriminate and neither do we!
Pictured: "Fire doesn't discriminate and neither do we!"
It’s an incredibly diverse role that has positive influences on many areas of island life, from education in schools, helping to design safer buildings through fire safety, to saving lives at incidents.
Educating was an element I hadn’t considered when I joined, but it has been a part of the job I have found really rewarding.
Pictured: Teaching children about fire safety is one of the aspects of the job.
Children really enjoy it, they ask some interesting questions and really engage with us when we talk about safety.
In the time I have worked for Jersey Fire and Rescue, I have never had the same day twice!
Pictured: "Every task is different," John says. (Last week, for example, islander Kieranne Grimshaw spotted this pair of firefighters attempting to rescue a pigeon stuck under a bench on Broad Street. "Thank you to our amazing local Fire Service who don't just put out fires!" she said.)
Every incident is new, and every task is different, and so you are constantly challenged to keep learning, keep growing and keep getting better.
I believe my job brings out the best in me, and it has definitely kept me fit!
