Fire service to train driver

[Mikey3789]

Hi,

I’m currently a firefighter and I’ve been thinking about a change in the future and train driver has always been a thought. Is there any ex firefighters that have made this career change?

 

[whoosh]

Loads!! Legend has it it that a whole watch (including the Watch Commander) left Bedfordshire fire service and joined Thameslink some years ago!

I know of at least five where I work. Two have become Driver Instructors and one also became an Instructor and is now a Driver Manager.

Following instructions, working shifts, safety critical communication, dealing with emergencies, and having to learn equipment are all skills that transfer well.

 

[Sorcerer]

Maybe if doing service in the brigade as part of national service the 18 year olds that reach the new train driving age limit will finally have the transferable skills.

But otherwise yes, I think even a fair few people on the forums became train drivers after doing work in the fire service. It's arguably one of the best jobs to get some of the experiences needed for the role.

 

[Twotwo]

Quite a lot, I tend to find ex fire fighters a lot more approachable and nicer then ex police officers. Some of them strutt as if they've been here a long time....

 

[Efini92]

Loads!! Legend has it it that a whole watch (including the Watch Commander) left Bedfordshire fire service and joined Thameslink some years ago!

I know of at least five where I work. Two have become Driver Instructors and one also became an Instructor and is now a Driver Manager.

Following instructions, working shifts, safety critical communication, dealing with emergencies, and having to learn equipment are all skills that transfer well.

Ditto that for Greater Manchester

 

[RossMc]

Hi,

I’m currently a firefighter and I’ve been thinking about a change in the future and train driver has always been a thought. Is there any ex firefighters that have made this career change?

You won't be able to sleep or play ping pong at work remember, so be sure to take that in to consideration.

(Copper here currently going through the process )

Edit: this post did have laughing and winking emoji attached so you would know I'm pulling your leg, but for whatever reason they have vanished??

 

[Mikey3789]

If there is any ex firefighters out their who would kindly get in touch and give me there insight and thoughts about there career change would be appreciated

Loads!! Legend has it it that a whole watch (including the Watch Commander) left Bedfordshire fire service and joined Thameslink some years ago!

I know of at least five where I work. Two have become Driver Instructors and one also became an Instructor and is now a Driver Manager.

Following instructions, working shifts, safety critical communication, dealing with emergencies, and having to learn equipment are all skills that transfer well.

I’ve heard stories of firefighters making the move but wanted to know if they were happy they made that move. I’m at a stage where I’d like change in career but equally scared to make the leap and want to do more research into the job

You won't be able to sleep or play ping pong at work remember, so be sure to take that in to consideration.

(Copper here currently going through the process )

Edit: this post did have laughing and winking emoji attached so you would know I'm pulling your leg, but for whatever reason they have vanished??

Hahaha yes I’ve been told there is no time for ping pong haha.

You ex firefighter? How you finding the process?

 

[RossMc]

No I'm a cop. Done my first assessment day and waiting for result of my recent DMI. The job seems very well suited to ex emergency services. Maintaining focus, communication skills, safety conscious mindset, importance of following rules/procedures, remaining calm under pressure etc

 

[Kraken]

Good luck finding anyone on the railway who wasn’t once a firefighter, police officer, prison officer, soldier, sailor or airman. I sometimes think that the railway is just a grand scheme to keep retired emergency services and military personnel from getting too bored.

 

[whoosh]

I’ve heard stories of firefighters making the move but wanted to know if they were happy they made that move. I’m at a stage where I’d like change in career but equally scared to make the leap and want to do more research into the job.

Actually, I've just remembered yet another ex-Firefighter where I work. They all enjoy their new life on the railway, and not one of them wants to go back.

Researching is a good idea. It is a big deal (quite nerve-wracking) swapping a career.
Hopefully there will be some actual ex- firefighters along soon to give their first-hand opinions.

 

[12LDA28C]

I know several firefighters (as well as police, paramedics, prison officers etc) who have made the change in career and none of them regret it, only that they didn't make the leap sooner. In my experience it may be a cliche but ex-emergency services / armed forces personnel generally make good train drivers as they have plenty of transferable skills in terms of being used to shiftwork / weekend work and odd sleep patterns, working within strict guidelines, communicating effectively, following safety-related processes and procedures and so on. My advice would be not to hesitate and get applying for drivers' jobs in your area.

 

[richfoz84]

You won't be able to sleep or play ping pong at work remember, so be sure to take that in to consideration.

(Copper here currently going through the process )

Edit: this post did have laughing and winking emoji attached so you would know I'm pulling your leg, but for whatever reason they have vanished??

I regularly take naps and play darts at work.. we’re not driving trains for 8/9 hours all day, everyday.

 

[RossMc]

I regularly take naps and play darts at work.. we’re not driving trains for 8/9 hours all day, everyday.

Humour bypass alert .....

 

[baz962]

Good luck finding anyone on the railway who wasn’t once a firefighter, police officer, prison officer, soldier, sailor or airman. I sometimes think that the railway is just a grand scheme to keep retired emergency services and military personnel from getting too bored.

I know plenty of drivers that weren't any of the above and plenty that were. Not a single driver in my group when we were trainees that were.

 

[43066]

Good luck finding anyone on the railway who wasn’t once a firefighter, police officer, prison officer, soldier, sailor or airman. I sometimes think that the railway is just a grand scheme to keep retired emergency services and military personnel from getting too bored.

Plenty of us were none of the above.

 

[Kraken]

I know plenty of drivers that weren't any of the above and plenty that were. Not a single driver in my group when we were trainees that were.

Plenty of us were none of the above.

OK, I was exaggerating for effect. Obviously there are a lot of railway workers who were not emergency services or armed forces.

 

[BrokenSam]

Quite a lot, I tend to find ex fire fighters a lot more approachable and nicer then ex police officers. Some of them strutt as if they've been here a long time....

Have no issue with people who just be themselves to be honest. Instead of sitting meekly in a corner because they are newer.

 

[OllieWave]

You can probably do a search on here to find the endless numbers of police officers and other sectors who are looking to escape their current roles!

 

[Jimbo12345]

Yet another emergency services to train driver thread lol. To answer your question the railway is FULL of ex fire/pol/ambo/army etc etc.

 

[richfoz84]

Humour bypass alert .....

No mate, just outing myself for being lazy hahaha