Hannah Caulfield: Watch manager, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
I would recommend the fire service to anyone. It’s so diverse and no two days are the same. We respond to emergencies, train with the equipment, help people in need, give safety talks to the young and old, engage with our communities, help business and prepare for the risks of our station footprint. I myself am extremely lucky to be able to work a shift that allows me to spend six days out of eight with my children.
I gave up my full time job so I could provide the much-needed daytime cover for the station – and took on an array of other jobs to make up the rest of my salary. These ranged from cleaning, to a dental receptionist, chiropodist receptionist, bar staff, waitress and a sales assistant. Anything I could do, no matter how unglamorous just so I could be a firefighter.