Apprentice Firefighter, Melissa Jones.
Melissa grew up in Houghton-Le-Spring and throughout her childhood loved playing football and being outdoors.
Talking about her career aspirations, Melissa, 31, said: “I never really knew exactly what I wanted to be, but I have always been an active and sporty person.
"So I knew that whatever I did, it had to be something where I was physically active and that had plenty of variety."
On her career before the fire service, she said: “I studied Sport and Exercise Science at Teesside University and worked in a few areas of health and fitness.
"I then moved to Somerset for six years where I worked as an Enquiry Office Advisor at Avon and Somerset Police.”
Melissa joined the fire service in August 2023 when she was appointed as a Firefighter Apprentice joining our latest Cohort of Apprentice Firefighters.
Melissa said: “I have been training as an Apprentice Firefighter. This involves completing a Level 3 Community Safety Qualification and Risk Critical Training, which includes Breathing Apparatus, Road Traffic Collison, Working at Height, Trauma and Water Rescue.
"The training has been intense - both physically and mentally - but definitely worth all the hard work when you have completed the training and get out on station.”
Melissa successfully passed her training and celebrated along with the other Apprentice Firefighters from Cohort 7 at their Pass Out Parade on February 23, 2024.
Melissa has now been posted to Consett Fire Station and is working between Green and Blue Watch day shifts.
She said: “I am so excited to be on my first station, and on Green Watch with Watch Manager Thompson, who was also my lead instructor on Cohort 7 risk critical training.
"It’s been great to have a familiar face on my first watch!”
The role of an Apprentice Firefighter is a diverse one and sees Melissa do everything from drills in the yard, checking equipment, engaging with the community, responding to emergencies, and much more.
The best part of the job?
“Definitely the variety and getting out into the community and meeting a wide range of different people," she said.
"The dedication everyone at CDDFRS has for helping and supporting the people in our communities makes me so proud to work here.”
When not on duty, Melissa can be found playing football, enjoying a round of golf and keeping fit in the gym.
