Crew Manager Gaby Banks.
Firefighting runs in the blood of Peterlee Crew Manager Gaby Banks.
The 27-year-old is the third generation of her family to serve County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) following in the footsteps of her dad and grandad.=
Gaby’s grandad Keith, was a District Officer in the Service until he retired in 2002.
Meanwhile, her dad, Steven, has been an On-Call Firefighter at Wheatley Hill Fire Station for 30 years - and, according to Gaby, is “still going strong!”
Before continuing her family’s firefighting legacy, Gaby completed a sports degree at Durham University and played football for Durham Women’s Football Club.
In 2015, Gaby started her career as an On-Call Firefighter at Wheatley Hill Fire Station aged just 19 and called it the “proudest moment of her life."
Two years later, she joined the Service as a Wholetime Firefighter.
Gaby was promoted to Crew Manager in 2022 and during her time with the Service she has worked at a couple of fire stations including Consett and Peterlee.
"As a Crew Manager, I support my watch manager and take charge at operational incidents,” Gaby said.
“In the absence of my Watch Manager, I am responsible for the day to day running of the watch.”
“The variation of the role of a Crew Manager is what I find most exciting, but my team and the people I work alongside are the best part about working for the Service.
“I spend just as much time with my watch as I do with my family, so it’s important to me that we all get along and enjoy coming to work.
“Becoming a Firefighter is one of the proudest moments of my life to date and I love that I am following in my dad and grandad’s footsteps.”
And the work never stops for Gaby. When she’s not on duty, she can be found in her new home which she is renovating - in between walking beloved Springador, Theo, and chasing after her 18-month-old nephew, Isaac.
