SWINDON College has received a special certificate from the Fire Service for allowing a member of staff to work as a retained firefighter outside his office hours.

Chris Howell, Staff Development Officer, is employed to do 100 extra hours a week as an on-call firefighter at the main Swindon Station, alongside his full time 8.30am-5.00pm contracted hours at the College.

Chris said: “Working as part of the Fire Service is something I have always wanted to do.”

As a retained firefighter, Chris has just four minutes to get to the station from his house at any point between his contracted hours.

Amanda Burnside, Executive Director Enterprise and Learner Services at Swindon College, said: “The college is proud to be able to support the service to the community.”