Four new Firefighter Control Operators join Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s Joint Control Team

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recently welcomed four new Firefighter Control Operators to its Joint Control Room.

The Joint Control Team’s primary responsibility is to answer fire and rescue 999 calls and then to mobilise the most appropriate fire and rescue resources and personnel based on the type of incident.

New recruits, Leanne Heath, Lauren Clowes, Charley Kirk, and Freddie Norris (pictured left to right), are currently on an 8-week training course, designed to provide hands-on experience with the role of a Firefighter Control Operator.

Speaking about the new recruits, their training, and the importance of Joint Control, DFRS Watch Manager for Training and Development, Maddie Shaw said: “Call handlers are a vital part of our emergency response. When you're on the phone, time is critical. You need to quickly gather and process information while also offering reassurance to the caller — often in highly distressing circumstances.

“The initial training familiarises the recruits with our joint fire control mobilising system, the wide range of incident types that firefighters attend, the many stations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and the different specialist fire and rescue vehicles in operation.

“It’s such an essential and complex role, and we’re pleased to welcome Leanne, Lauren, Charley, and Freddie to the team.”

The arrival of the new recruits comes at a fitting time, as last week the Joint Control Team took part in International Control Room Week (October 27th to November 2nd, 2025).

This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness of the lifesaving and life-changing work of employees in emergency services control rooms who deal with stressful and traumatic situations on a daily basis.

To mark the occasion, they held a week-long ‘bakes and bikes’ challenge in memory of the late retired Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson and late serving Chief Fire Officer Rob Taylor. With support from the new recruits, different Control watches sold homemade cakes and bakes and cycled a combined 380 miles – the equivalent distance between all fire stations in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire – to raise funds for charity.

Thanks to generous cash and online donations, the Joint Control Team has so far raised over £1,000. Their JustGiving campaign page will remain open until Sunday 9 November, after which the final total will be split between The Fire Fighters Charity and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to congratulate the Joint Control Team on their fundraising success and look forward to celebrating the completion of the new recruits’ initial training at a pass out ceremony later this year.