1. What made you want to become a rep?
I didn’t want to become a rep. I had just returned from maternity leave and the reps in North West Fire Control had stood down. I was passionate about the issues we were facing and nobody else was coming forward. I’m glad I did though!
2. What is your proudest moment as a rep?
There have been lots; laying a wreath on behalf of control staff at the Firefighters Memorial is up there. Shifting the EC at conference from qualified support to full support over closing the control staff pay gap is another one!
3. Who are your ultimate heroes?
My big sister. She’s a paramedic in Northern Ireland. Despite the things she has seen and done, she has remained resilient and it was she who inspired me to join the emergency services. And my son, because he’s ace.
4. What was the last conversation you had that made you think differently about something?
Not a conversation, but listening to debates at conference. There were a few resolutions that I read in the agenda and I was sure I knew how I felt, but hearing the arguments changed my mind. The debate on 24-hour shifts was one that made me think differently.
5. Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate. Caring. Fun.
6. Which TV show could you not live without?
Naked Attraction. Stop judging me, its great night shift viewing!
7. If you weren’t a firefighter, what would you be?
If I wasn’t a firefighter control, I would have loved to work in the field of psychology.
8. If you could travel back or forward in time, where and when would you travel to and why?
I would go back to July 2015 when my son was born and I would tell myself that I can do it. I would tell myself that it’s OK to ask for help when I’m struggling. And I would tell myself to enjoy every second because time goes so fast and you can’t get it back.
