Luke Carr playing for Newcastle Blue Star FC ( by BC Photography) and during training as a firefighter.
A former semi-professional footballer has swapped his boots for fire kit as he embarks on a new career as a firefighter.
Luke Carr is one of 10 new wholetime firefighter recruits who have joined County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS).
The dad from Westerhope started an intensive 14-week training course back in September and is due to pass out as a firefighter on Friday, December 6 in front of his proud friends and family.
The 31-year-old joins the Service following a football career which saw him play for a number of North East clubs, including Gateshead, Newcastle Blue Star, Dunston and Morpeth Town, where he won the FA Vase Trophy in 2016.
Luke, who started out at Newcastle United’s academy, went on to play in Australia for the Holland Park Hawks in the Brisbane Premier League before returning home.
“I’m really proud of my football career but I am so excited to begin this next chapter,” Luke said.
But firefighting runs in Luke’s family, with his stepdad Warren Metcalfe working as a Crew Manager at High Handenhold.
Luke, who is dad to Ella, five, worked on a factory production line after returning from Australia and said it was his stepdad who inspired him to apply for the Service.
“It was seeing how proud he was to be a firefighter and hearing him talk about how much he enjoys the job was that made me want to go for it,” Luke said.
“Every day is different and the shifts also enable you to spend more time with family.
“The training has been tough as it is a lot to take on mentally and physically, but I didn’t expect it to be easy and I am getting better every day.
“I have loved the course and enjoyed doing the breathing apparatus (BA) training the most.”
Luke is now looking forward to starting work on fire stations across County Durham and Darlington before he his assigned a permanent station and watch.
His advice to those wanting to become a firefighter?
“Definitely apply for it and make sure you prepare properly," Luke said.
“It is going to be a hard course, but it will all be worth it in the end.
“I had a good level of cardio and upper leg strength from my football background, but the training has still been hard graft!”
Please note - Our apprentice firefighter recruitment has now closed.
