Meet Neil, Firefighter at Alfreton Fire Station and dad of two

I started my recruits’ course in September 2006, at that time it was a residential course, so I was away from Sunday evening until Friday late afternoon.

My two sons, Daniel and Ben, were 10 and 7 respectively, this meant that getting the children ready for school, getting them to school, cooking meals, taking them to swimming, Cubs, Beavers etc, all fell on my wife. I was worried for her as it was a lot of extra pressure as I wasn't around to help - I am very lucky to have had a supportive wife during my training course!

I think any parent always worries about their children, even when they are full grown adults as mine are now, at 24 and 21, but I was absolutely over the moon when Daniel was accepted onto the latest recruit’s course, that has just passed out of training. Unfortunately, they weren't able to have a Passout Parade due to Covid restrictions - both Daniel and Ben were able to attend my Passout, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

I am also delighted that my youngest son Ben will be joining the Service, sometime in July as a Firefighter Control.