Not many people can say they work for both the ambulance service and the fire service. But Connor Mallinson certainly can.
The 28-year-old helps save lives as an Emergency Care Assistant with the North East Ambulance Service and he also protects his community as an on-call firefighter with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.
“When I left college, I wanted to go into the fire service but getting into wholetime was difficult,” Connor said.
“I had always been looking out for an opportunity to join the service but had never lived close enough to a fire station to be an on-call firefighter until I moved to Barnard Castle.
“I came down and had a chat with the crew and they convinced me it would be something I would enjoy doing.”
More than half of the operational workforce is made up of on-call firefighters like Connor who continue their everyday routine but are paid to be on-call to respond to incidents ranging from house fires to road traffic collisions.
Connor joined the fire service as an on-call firefighter at Barnard Castle in 2021 and gives up his free time to be on call.
“Before I joined, I didn’t realise how much community safety the service does – from checking smoke alarms to engaging with schools,” he said.
“I love the camaraderie and working with a group of people who have the same mindset and want to try and help people.”
Connor, who graduated from university as a sports therapist before deciding to pursue his blue light career, stressed the role offers more flexibility than people realise.
“One of the most challenging things about the role for people is staying near the station, but you are able to book off an hour or so here and there,” he said.
Connor said his parents, who are both in the Royal Air Force (RAF), are very supportive.
“They are very proud of my emergency service career as they know that being in the fire service was something that I always wanted to do,” he said.
“I would say to anyone thinking of joining to absolutely go for it.”
The fire service is recruiting on-call firefighters, with a particular need at Middleton-in-Teesdale, and Barnard Castle among others. Applicants must live or work within five minutes of a fire station. The role is paid and training is given.
On-call firefighters commit to around 60-80 hours per week and attend weekly drill nights.
More details about how to apply from ddfire.gov.uk/call-firefighters-applications-now-open
