New Tyne & Wear fire service recruit urges others to follow suit

Paul O’Neil swapped flogging trainers for tackling fires and he has now urged others to follow their ambitions and try a career as a firefighter.

Firefighter O’Neil spent more than 20 years in the retail industry, working for some of the largest companies in the world and dealing daily with the general public.

When the Covid crisis struck and shops closed, he spent his days taking part in virtual learning and confidence-building talks from some inspirational figures.

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But when the restrictions eased, and the world began to open back up, he considered his working life and decided it was time for something new.

He discovered Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) was recruiting, even though it was not a career he had considered.

By then aged in his late 30s, with limited experience of the fire service, he was concerned that it may be too late in life to try something so different.

But he took the view if it wasn’t going to be then, he was never going to take the chance, and, so, submitted an application.

The now 40-year-old father-of-two described it as, “a shock to the system” when he came to his first “familiarisation” session to start the firefighting training course.

He expected it was going to be much more challenging than he thought and if it was not for the prompting of his wife Helen. urging him to keep going, he said he may have given up.

Instead, he ended up thriving on the course, making lifelong friends, and he began his first firefighter shift at Newcastle Community Fire Station, on Boxing Day.

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He has now called on others who may have never considered the career to think twice.

“You’ve got to really want it to do this job.

“It’s going to be tough, not just on the training course, but on station everyday where you are working hard to push yourself.

“When I went back to retail after the pandemic, I really struggled.

“I knew it wasn’t where I wanted to be anymore, the work life balance wasn’t what I wanted and I was clock watching on each shift.

“I decided that I wanted to become a firefighter and that I was going to go for it, no matter what.

“Helping people is one of the main reasons I wanted to join this job, so. for me to help someone every single day no matter how big or small is a great feeling, and exactly what I wanted from a career.”

One of TWFRS’s most senior firefighters has praised the recent recruit for his determined attitude and adaptability when faced with adversity.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay said “There is no typical background for a firefighter.

“Paul brings a wealth of experience working with the public, so he knows how to talk and interact with people.

“Community engagement is a large part of what our firefighters do, they are interacting with the public all day every day.

“Knowing that Paul kept going and pushed himself further than before to achieve his dreams is inspiring and is exactly what we want from our firefighters.

“You never know what this job is going to throw at you, you’ve got to be able to get up and get on with the role no matter what’s going on around you.”

Read next:

               New firefighter jobs approved at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue

               Fire service to recruit new firefighters for first time in six years

               Fire chiefs warn lives are at risk in County Durham and Darlington amid funding crisis

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TWFRS is now recruiting for whole-time firefighters on its website and is encouraging people to apply.

Applicants from all walks of life are welcome, with anyone with compassion, empathy and adaptability urged to consider giving it a go.

The deadline for applications is 23.59pm on Tuesday (January 31) with further details on the TWFRS website.