When semi-professional footballer Kory Whitfield isn’t on the pitch for Tow Law Town he’s running towards danger in his role as an on-call firefighter.
The 23-year-old midfielder spends his free time as an on-call firefighter based at Crook Fire Station where he responds to emergencies when alerted by his pager.
Kory joined County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) three years ago in October 2022 after spotting a recruitment advert on the fire service’s Facebook page.
“At that point I didn’t know what I wanted to do career-wise and was delivering parcels for Amazon alongside playing football,” he said.
“I went along to an open night at Crook Fire Station and spoke to the firefighters about the job and was shown around the station.
“I just thought, ‘Let’s go for it.’
“It is a well-respected job where every day is different.”
Kory said he was also encouraged by his uncle, a wholetime firefighter at Bishop Auckland, and some of his school friends who already worked at Crook Fire Station to apply.
He is now on-call for around 120 hours a week when he is not at football training or matches.
Kory also attends a weekly drill night at Crook Fire Station to maintain his skills.
“When my pager goes off to alert me to an incident, I feel an adrenaline rush because I know I am going to help someone,” he said.
“It is a really exciting job where you get to interact with the community and feel like you are giving something back.
“I would encourage anyone interested in applying to become an on-call firefighter to just go for it.
“Everyone is friendly, welcoming and supportive.
“If there’s any help that you need when it comes to your training, there is always someone there for you.
“Monday drill nights are also really social as we all go out for dinner afterwards, so it’s a good way to make friends where you live.”
CDDFRS is recruiting on-call firefighters at Crook Fire Station on Peases Way.
The paid job is open to residents aged 17 years and six months who must be able to attend the station within five minutes.
Applicants must be able to commit to a minimum number of hours per week, ranging from 40 to 120, and attend weekly drill nights at the fire station to practice their skills.
They will be paid a retaining fee every six months which is based on the number of hours they have been available to respond to incidents.
They also receive an hourly rate of pay for attending incidents and carrying out activities such as hydrant inspections and community safety work.
For more information about on-call firefighter pay, click here.
To apply, click here.
Caption: Crook on-call firefighter Kory Whitfield.
