Hi, I'm Caitlin

What made you want to become an On-Call Firefighter and join DFRS?

Since I was 7 years old I wanted to be a Firefighter. I enjoy working in jobs where I can make positive changes for those around me and where I get to work with people in my local community.  

Tell us a bit about how you found the role and your journey so far.

I currently work as a Sports Co-ordinator for Nottinghamshire YMCA, where I work with Sports England to run a programme designed to get young adults living in the hostel more active through sports, and wanted to continue supporting the local community.

Back in my home country, South Africa, I attended a Fire Service awareness day which peaked my interest in the role of an on-call Firefighter, but due to Covid I wasn’t able to attend one in the UK before applying for the role through the DFRS website.

Tell us what you’re looking forward to most in the role and what you think will be most challenging.

I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on station and getting out there to make a difference, big or small. I think the job in itself will be challenging but the support systems in place are unmatched.

What do you do outside of work?

We have a husky so most of our free time is spent outside or visiting new places. Any extra time I find is usually spent playing hockey! 

Tell us something unique about yourself.

When I was 14, I was injured playing hockey. I got hit in the face with a stick and broke bones in my face around my eye and shattered my nose.