Meet Glossop's newest firefighter

Joining the team at Glossop Fire Station is Reece Barker.

Reece is one of 11 firefighters who passed out of training school to take up positions across Derbyshire. 

Aged 23 and living in Dronfield with girlfriend Fern, Reece says he had always wanted to do something in public services and went to college to gain some relevant qualifications.  

However it was a chance meeting that led to him becoming a firefighter.

He explained: “After I’d finished college my dad happened to bump into Mark King, who he knew and who was watch manager at the on-call fire station in Dronfield and is now station manager in Glossop. They got chatting and Mark mentioned that he was recruiting – and the deadline for applications was that week.  

“I’d never really thought about the fire service as a career, so went to see Mark to find out what it was all about. I remember him saying ‘You’ll either love or hate it – but you won’t know until you give it a go.’

“So, I applied, got through the assessment and started my on-call training back in 2017.  

“It didn’t take me long to know that this is what I wanted to do as a career and have been looking for the opportunity to apply to become a wholetime firefighter ever since.  

“Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service provided that opportunity and I’m now looking forward to working with Blue Watch in Glossop and getting to know the community.”

Reece added: “I  always wanted to have a job that I am proud of. My mum and dad have always inspired, supported and encouraged me to work hard to achieve my goals and I know that being a firefighter has made them very proud.”

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper