Fire Control Operator Kelly Oliver.
Kelly Oliver was a dental nurse in South Shields just five months ago.
Now (August, 2024) she’s helping to save lives as a Fire Control Operator with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS).
The 23-year-old joined the Service in March in search of a rewarding career where every day is different.
After undergoing around three weeks of initial training, Kelly found her new skills being put to the test earlier this month when she helped to provide vital fire survival advice to a woman trapped in her home when a blaze broke out in the kitchen.
“It all happened really quickly,” Kelly, from South Shields, said.
“I gave the woman fire survival advice where I asked her to shut the door between her and the fire.
“I then asked her to put something at the bottom of the door to stop smoke from getting in.
“I stayed on the phone for around eight minutes in total and kept talking to her until the crews got there.”
And it was Kelly’s partner, Firefighter Connor Clark, 23, who was one of the crew who attended the incident and helped to bring the woman to safety.
“When he found out I was the one who took the call he said I had done really well,” Kelly said.
“It feels really rewarding to know that you are helping someone.”
Kelly, who now lives in Blyth, continued: “Being a Fire Control Operator is a lot different from being a dental nurse.
“I had been in that role for four years and had become bored of it so fancied a change.
“Working in Control is really interesting and I am really enjoying it.
“I am learning every single day and my colleagues on White Watch are so supportive.”
