Find out how The Fire Fighters Charity has supported beneficiaries across the UK and how you can share your story with the fire community. Click categories or regions below to filter the list of stories.
They’re there for us at the end of the phone when we need them, but many may not be aware of the mental toll working in Control Rooms can have. Here, Melanie Gibb shares why having our support available is essential for her and her colleagues. Piotr Gudan, an on-call firefighter with Scottish FRS, has received both physical and mental health support from us and says it’s a reassurance to have us there in the future, given the huge demands of his role. Scottish on-call firefighter, Hugh MacCormick, has received our support following back issues. Here he shares his story, both of our support and of the pressures he and others face working on-call. Scottish firefighter David Gartland began struggling with his mental health following a relationship breakdown, resulting in him heavily drinking and gambling. He says getting in touch with us as soon as he realised he needed help was the best thing he could have done. Firefighter Erin Brown shares why it's so important to strengthen ties between local fire crews and their communities, to highlight the incredible work done by on-call staff.
Melanie: “Control has exceptionally high stress levels – the Charity is more important than ever”
Piotr: “Not many people realise the toll of on-call firefighting – it’s tough but rewarding”
Hugh: “I was primarily receiving physio, but the mental wellbeing workshops were great”
David: “I was hiding from the world and isolating myself – the Charity was a lifeline”
Erin & Fionn: “Raising awareness is essential – you’re supporting us, while we support communities”
