Administrative assistant Lorrain McCartney.
There’s no stopping Lorrain McCartney when she puts her mind to something.
Whether she’s booking in Home Fire Safety Visits, supporting her colleagues or manning reception, the Administrative Assistant gives it her all every day.
Lorrain, who works on both the Community Safety Team and at our Technical Services Centre, joined the Service in July, 2021 after spending years working in customer-focused roles for a wine wholesaler and a telecoms company.
As a child growing up in Newcastle, she dreamed of one day becoming a traction engine driver and while her career path didn’t take her down that road, she did fulfil her dream of driving a steam roller!
But it was Lorrain’s love of helping people that attracted her to the fire service.
“I know the work we do as a Service makes a difference and I’m proud to play my part as a small cog in a big machine,” she said.
“I have such a very varied job.
“I love speaking to people in my Community Safety role.
“Sometimes it’s simply making an appointment for free smoke alarms or a Home Fire Safety visit, but it’s always really important to be the reassuring voice at the end of a phone line.
“At workshops, I’m there to provide admin support to the whole team and I’m part of the implementation group for our new system.
“The Service is a lovely place to work and I really enjoy that two days are never the same.
“One day I’m counting stock at Workshops and the next I’m driving behind one of our Aerial Ladder Platforms to get them to Yorkshire for servicing.”
Lorrain, who lives in County Durham with husband Sean and their cat, also goes above and beyond to help others outside of work as blood donor who has made an incredible 111 donations and shows no signs of stopping.
And when she’s not helping to save lives through her donations, Lorrain can be found spending time with her English Civil War group.
The keen history buff enjoys getting dressed in authentic historical clothing sharing knowledge of life in the 1600s with the public.
“My involvement in commemorations of the Spanish Civil War saw me marching in the Durham Miners Gala again this year behind our banner,” Lorrain said.
“I also run an artillery crew at Alnwick castle firing their cannon.
“I love spending time off getting out and about visiting new and interesting places.”
