Public services students gain real world experience with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service

Credit: DCG

Public Services students from Derby College Group recently had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a firefighter during a visit to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Hosted at Nottingham Road Community Fire Station, the visit provided students with valuable insight into the demands, responsibilities and teamwork required within the modern fire service. Working alongside the firefighters from Green Watch, the students were able to take part in a range of training exercises designed to replicate the type of scenarios crews encounter in real operational environments.

Throughout the day, students were put through their paces as they experienced a number of practical drills and activities. These included fitness exercises, virtual reality simulations, teamwork challenges and operational training designed to develop both communication and decision making skills. The group also had the opportunity to enter the smoke house facility, wearing full protective equipment and breathing apparatus, where they were tasked with locating casualties in a simulated smoke filled environment.

The experience gave students a deeper understanding of the physical and mental demands of the role, while also highlighting the importance of teamwork, leadership and clear communication in high pressure situations.

Mark Straw, Watch Manager at Nottingham Road Community Fire Station, praised the attitude and commitment shown by the students during the visit. He said: “We want to support Derby College students in their goal to become part of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, so having them onsite and being able to talk to the team about their roles is incredibly useful for them. They have applied themselves really well today and taken on board all of the information we have given them during the drills, so we hope to see them starting their career with us soon.”

In addition to the practical training exercises, students were also able to speak directly with both experienced firefighters and newer recruits about their career journeys. These conversations provided valuable insight into the recruitment process, the skills required to succeed and the realities of working within the service.

One particularly valuable aspect of the visit was the opportunity to hear from Morgan, a recent recruit to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, who shared her personal experience of applying and progressing through the recruitment process. Her insights helped students understand the expectations of the role and the preparation needed to pursue a career in the fire service.

Nik Henson, Curriculum Manager for Public Services at Derby College Group, highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn directly from industry professionals: “Whilst we can provide information about the service and develop certain skills in the classroom through practical activities and role play scenarios, there is no substitute for the specialist knowledge and experience that has been shared by Green Watch and the Community Engagement Team at the station.

Experiences like this bring learning to life and allow students to see first hand what a career in the fire service involves. For fifteen of our students, the day has reinforced their career ambitions and given them a clearer understanding of the pathway into the profession.”

The visit forms part of Derby College Group’s ongoing commitment to providing students with meaningful employer engagement opportunities that help bridge the gap between education and employment. By working closely with organisations such as Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, the college ensures that students gain practical insight into the industries they aspire to join.

For many of the students who attended, the experience provided both inspiration and motivation as they continue to work towards their future careers in the public services.