Apprentice Firefighter Summer Anderson.
This time last year Summer Anderson was making party decorations for her mum’s events company.
Now she’s an Apprentice Firefighter with our Service, helping to save lives and keep people in the community safe.
The 26-year-old from Seaham joined CDDFRS as an apprentice in August 2023 after spotting an advert on social media.
It was a dream job for Summer, who had a life-long ambition to join the fire service.
But before training could even begin, she had to pass a series of online, role-related and fitness tests, as well as undergoing an interview and medical.
Summer was then selected as one of 10 apprentices on Cohort 7 where she spent almost a year learning both the theory and practical side of the role before Passing Out in February 2024 in front of her family and friends.
“I enjoyed the training,” Summer said.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was hard, but once you do it and get to Pass Out, the feeling is amazing.
“It was a proud moment. My mum, boyfriend, cousin, and friends all came out to watch.”
Summer, who studied Sports and Exercise Science at Sunderland University, started working on station for the first time in March this year joining Darlington Fire Station on both Red and White Watch.
“My first day on station was quite daunting,” Summer said.
“I had done all my training, but I was now going out and doing it for real.
“So, at my first station I was apprehensive, but everyone made me feel really comfortable.
“The crew showed me the daily routine and helped me out with anything I was stuck on and showed me where all the equipment was on the engine.”
Summer is now on the station rotation part of her apprenticeship where she will spend around two months at six different fire stations in the service before being assigned a permanent station in March 2025.
After spending eight weeks at Darlington, she moved to Consett Fire Station and is now based at High Handenhold, remaining on Red and White Watch.
In that time, Summer has attended incidents including house fires and road traffic collisions but said her first incident was a fire in the open.
She said: “My first shout was nerve-wracking!
“But jumping on the engine and getting ready means you don’t have time to think about it.
“Your Watch Manager or Crew Manager will tell you what to expect or what you need to do.”
She continued: “Joining the Service has been the best decision I have ever made.
“I love the variety of the job and giving back to the community.
“I am learning every day, especially going through the apprenticeship, as I am still attending college to learn about the community safety side of the role.”
