My
work experience week at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Monday:
On
Monday I was in Supplies with Carol, John and Mark. When I got there it
was a bit awkward, because I didn't know what to say, but after that it
was OK. I sent a fax in the morning for Carol, which was good because
I have never sent one before, then I laminated around 50 pieces of paper
for firefighters to use so that people don't park in front of their cars.
Then I looked around the Supplies room, which I thought was amazing because
some of the things that were in there, I would never have imagined that
firefighters use, it was really interesting and I loved it! I spent the afternoon
putting data into a computer about firefighters that have had kit damaged,
and then sent it to be repaired- I had to enter how much it cost. It was
a bit complicated at first, because Mark wasn't in the office, and he
had to explain to me over the phone how to do stuff, so I kept getting
it wrong, but after that I got the hang of it!
I learnt that each fire engine has to have a big pack of water on it every
time it goes out on a call, because the fire fighters get dehydrated so
easily. I also learnt the kind of problems firefighters have with all
their equipment. The best part of the day was looking around the Supplies
room, although I enjoyed it all!
Tuesday:
On
Tuesday I arrived late- at 9:30, because the bus was really late and we
had to walk all the way up the lane! I went up to Supplies, and had nothing
to do for a bit because every one was dead busy, but then I was helping
John with the S27 forms, and we had to get Carol 5 cap badges, and some
compliment forms, I found that interesting, because I found out how it
all works using the S27 forms. I did some photocopying for Carol, then
had a break. After lunch, I tried on a firefighter's uniform, that was
the best thing yet, and I really enjoyed it, although I got really hot
after wearing it for 5 minutes, so I don't know how fire fighters do it,
especially when they have to run around with the hoses, and stand in or
near a fire as well! I learnt what firefighters go through, and also that
they are expected to get dressed and be in the fire engine after 5 minutes
of there being an alarm for a fire.
Wednesday:
On
Wednesday i was in Fire Safety Training. As soon as I got there, I
went on a computer, and I was going through various activities, learning
all about health and safety, from how to lift things, to how to sit at
a desk, I had to do a questionnaire at the end of each chapter, and never
got 100%, although I did get 90% on one of them! After that, I did some
filing for Laraine, which was quite complicated, as I've never done it
before, but I soon got used to it, although it did give me a bit of a
headache, as there was so much of it. It was a good experience though!
After the morning break, I was working on the computer printing off certificates
for various training courses that the public have taken part in using
mail merge. It was quite interesting, as I had never heard of mail merge
before, so I learnt something new, as well as learning that some people
have very complicated names! Then I had my lunch- salad and turkey, before
going over to Control! Which was the most exciting thing ever! It was
nothing like I had expected, I thought there was going to be masses of
people all at desks taking the calls, but there was only 5 people. It
was an amazing experience though, and I learnt so much- like if you prank
call 999, they can chase your number straight away, locate you and disconnect
your phone! Everyone in there was so laid back, totally not what I expected!
Thursday:
On
Thursday I was in Document Production. When I got there, Oliver told me
that he wanted me to do a web page to go on the website, saying what I
had been doing all week (what I'm doing now). I thought it sounded like
an exciting task, and couldn't wait to get started! In the afternoon I
went over to Supplies to help Marietta get fitted up for trying on all
of the fire gear, I had to measure her , and then John and I found the
right sizes of clothes for her. At first, I couldn't use the tape measure,
and I measured Marietta as having a 20 inch waist, but I got it right
in the end!
Friday:
On
Friday I was in press. In the morning though, I took part in the car wash
for charity, which was good fun, even though it was freezing cold. Marietta
and I washed about 4-5 cars between us, before going back to Registry
to help Jo out. Then we went up to Audio Visual, and learnt how to use
a proper digital camera, and then we went around taking pictures of everyone
and everything! Then in the afternoon I went back up to Document Production
to finish of this web page, and then I went to Media.
Thanks very much for a very enjoyable week! I loved it!
On
Monday I was in Supplies with Carol, John and Mark. When I got there it
was a bit awkward, because I didn't know what to say, but after that it
was OK. I sent a fax in the morning for Carol, which was good because
I have never sent one before, then I laminated around 50 pieces of paper
for firefighters to use so that people don't park in front of their cars.
Then I looked around the Supplies room, which I thought was amazing because
some of the things that were in there, I would never have imagined that
firefighters use, it was really interesting and I loved it! I spent the afternoon
putting data into a computer about firefighters that have had kit damaged,
and then sent it to be repaired- I had to enter how much it cost. It was
a bit complicated at first, because Mark wasn't in the office, and he
had to explain to me over the phone how to do stuff, so I kept getting
it wrong, but after that I got the hang of it!
I learnt that each fire engine has to have a big pack of water on it every
time it goes out on a call, because the fire fighters get dehydrated so
easily. I also learnt the kind of problems firefighters have with all
their equipment. The best part of the day was looking around the Supplies
room, although I enjoyed it all!
On
Tuesday I arrived late- at 9:30, because the bus was really late and we
had to walk all the way up the lane! I went up to Supplies, and had nothing
to do for a bit because every one was dead busy, but then I was helping
John with the S27 forms, and we had to get Carol 5 cap badges, and some
compliment forms, I found that interesting, because I found out how it
all works using the S27 forms. I did some photocopying for Carol, then
had a break. After lunch, I tried on a firefighter's uniform, that was
the best thing yet, and I really enjoyed it, although I got really hot
after wearing it for 5 minutes, so I don't know how fire fighters do it,
especially when they have to run around with the hoses, and stand in or
near a fire as well! I learnt what firefighters go through, and also that
they are expected to get dressed and be in the fire engine after 5 minutes
of there being an alarm for a fire.
On
Wednesday i was in Fire Safety Training. As soon as I got there, I
went on a computer, and I was going through various activities, learning
all about health and safety, from how to lift things, to how to sit at
a desk, I had to do a questionnaire at the end of each chapter, and never
got 100%, although I did get 90% on one of them! After that, I did some
filing for Laraine, which was quite complicated, as I've never done it
before, but I soon got used to it, although it did give me a bit of a
headache, as there was so much of it. It was a good experience though!
After the morning break, I was working on the computer printing off certificates
for various training courses that the public have taken part in using
mail merge. It was quite interesting, as I had never heard of mail merge
before, so I learnt something new, as well as learning that some people
have very complicated names! Then I had my lunch- salad and turkey, before
going over to Control! Which was the most exciting thing ever! It was
nothing like I had expected, I thought there was going to be masses of
people all at desks taking the calls, but there was only 5 people. It
was an amazing experience though, and I learnt so much- like if you prank
call 999, they can chase your number straight away, locate you and disconnect
your phone! Everyone in there was so laid back, totally not what I expected!
On
Thursday I was in Document Production. When I got there, Oliver told me
that he wanted me to do a web page to go on the website, saying what I
had been doing all week (what I'm doing now). I thought it sounded like
an exciting task, and couldn't wait to get started! In the afternoon I
went over to Supplies to help Marietta get fitted up for trying on all
of the fire gear, I had to measure her , and then John and I found the
right sizes of clothes for her. At first, I couldn't use the tape measure,
and I measured Marietta as having a 20 inch waist, but I got it right
in the end! 
On
Friday I was in press. In the morning though, I took part in the car wash
for charity, which was good fun, even though it was freezing cold. Marietta
and I washed about 4-5 cars between us, before going back to Registry
to help Jo out. Then we went up to Audio Visual, and learnt how to use
a proper digital camera, and then we went around taking pictures of everyone
and everything! Then in the afternoon I went back up to Document Production
to finish of this web page, and then I went to Media.