Hi, my name is Susanne but please do call me Susie! I joined the Service back in 2019 as an on-call firefighter but, due to Covid, I was unable to start my journey till 2020. In January 2021, I joined the Corporate side of the organisation as Training Centre Coordinator so I could continue my on-call role and support the Service with my knowledge and experience from operational to Corporate and vice versa.
Before becoming a firefighter, I came from a leisure background as a swim teacher supporting young children between three and 14 years old to learn to swim.
I also enjoyed helping a mixed range of customers in the gym with their fitness journey – which, in turn, helped me pass the requirements to get into the Service.
In my spare time, I love to travel, go hiking and my new favourite hobby is yoga on the beach followed by a cold swim in the sea. I do try and drag my wonderful family with me but they’re not as keen on the cold-water swimming!
I like to think that I am an approachable person, I’m a very chatty, easy-going person and if I can make a difference and help someone to smile when they have been finding it difficult to do so then I will do my best to achieve this.
I have experienced many difficult situations throughout my personal and working life, and the support I received was what kept me going. I would like to give some of that support back to those that may need it and am ready to listen to anyone that may need someone to talk to.