Beth follows in the footsteps of her hero dad

Jon Stockley became a firefighter in 1990. Little did he know that exactly 29 years later his daughter Beth would follow in his footsteps.

Jon Stockley feeding ducks with his daughter Beth. Little did he know that she would follow him into the fire service

The pair now work together at Winsford Fire Station.

Jon said: “I went to a careers event with my friends at school and spotted these two blokes in uniform and decided to have some fun with them.

"During our banter, somehow they managed to get us to fill in the application form. We were all invited to attend the first part of the selection process. As the process went on and all my mates gradually got dropped, I decided I really needed to concentrate all my efforts into continuing and see if I could actually get on a course that so many people were applying for.”

Jon was successfully recruited as an apprentice firefighter in September 1990.

Jon Stockley became an apprentice firefighter in September 1990

He soon discovered he was expected to be ready for any task at a moment’s notice.

Failure to do so resulted in punishment for him and the rest of the team. They did drill every day and painstakingly studied all the manuals with regular tests - both physical and mental.

Jon Stockley, first on right, did drill every day

Jon said: “I have got to see some things that most people wouldn’t experience in their lifetimes. Not all of the job is as people would expect, blood, pain and misery.

"I have seen some truly amazing sights, situations and rescues that all outweigh the often unpleasant things we have to deal with.”

Now, 29 years later, Jon has been proud to see his daughter follow in his footsteps and embark on her journey as a firefighter and community safety apprentice.

“I was really pleased and excited for Beth to join the service," said Jon. " The job has changed massively over the past 30 years. If she was starting back in 1992 when I was first on station, I would have 100 per cent tried to discourage her.

Beth and Jon Stockley now both work together at Winsford

"The culture of not only the service, but firefighters themselves has changed tremendously and I truly believe now that everyone joining the service has an equal opportunity - not only with the recruitment process and promotions, but fitting in with what used to be a very male stereotypical job. I had absolutely no reservations about Beth becoming a firefighter.

“I find it incredibly humbling when colleagues tell me that Beth is an absolute credit to me and how focused on her work she is.

“There is no limit on how proud I am of Beth. She has set her sights high and as she moves up through the ranks over the next few years, or stays as a firefighter, I have no doubt she will continue to make me feel immensely proud as she faces some of the similar challenges, incidents, events that I have in my time with the service.”

Beth Stockley and her proud dad Jon

The fire service has always been a massive part of Beth’s life growing up. She watched her dad as he was involved in major incidents – some receiving national press coverage – that even if she may not have realised, could have subconsciously influenced her to follow in her hero’s footsteps.

Beth said: “Having grown up with my dad being a firefighter and wanting to have a career where I would be helping people, while also challenging myself – I decided this was the career for me.

" I started to attend drill nights at Winsford to see first-hand what firefighters did and what was involved. I really enjoyed watching and learning about the different drills they did.

"I chose to apply to be a firefighter and community safety apprentice as it involved working in the community as well as training to become a firefighter.”

Beth, who stands little over five feet, had some reservations. “There were a couple of things I was worried about before joining,"she said. "The main worry was my size as I am very petite!

"However having used some of the fire equipment on my course, I found that I just needed to change my technique slightly to enable me to complete the tasks.

"I also worked on my fitness and strength so that I was ready. Everyone I have worked with so far has been incredibly supportive and inclusive and I am really enjoying my time as a firefighter and community safety apprentice. It is a career that will not only change my life but also help save the lives of others – something I have always wanted to do.”

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Cheshire’s 36-month firefighter and community apprenticeship will equip Beth with the skills and knowledge she will need to be a firefighter within a modern fire and rescue service.

She will spend time learning about the work of the service’s various departments, including prevention and protection as well as experiencing operational work carried out by firefighters.

Beth will also have the opportunity to travel to Nepal in South Asia, where she will collectively raise money for Classroom in the Clouds, a charity that constructs schools to support education in rural areas.

As part of the trip, Beth will hike through the Himalayas in the autumn of 2021 to work on a project to provide classrooms for village children who previously had little or no chance of an education.

For more details visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/jobs/apprenticeships