When they’re not responding to emergencies, what are firefighters doing during their shifts? The Red Watch opened Finchley Fire Station’s doors to Leïla Davaud

“Fire!”

Dozens of high-pitched voices erupt in unison but instead of alarm, the word sparks a ripple of giggles and raises a smile from firefighter Rabi Rafi. With his comrades from Finchley Fire Station’s Red Watch, he’d taken a moment out of his morning routine to meet the students of Brookland Infant and Nursery School on Hill Top. “It’s important to teach kids how to react in case of a fire from a young age”, he explained.

“But if my house is in flames, I need to save my pet fish so it doesn’t burn”, one worried child cried out, finding the leave-your-pets-behind rule “horrible”.

“He is perfectly fine in the water, and it would be our job to go back in and get him for you while you get to safety,” Rabi answered reassuringly and the little frown turns quickly to awe.

The session, which included a brief Q&A, is followed by a demonstration of the station’s hoses, much to the little ones’ amusement.

“We ask the Fire Station to visit the school so the children can truly understand the meaning of our current theme: everyday heroes and heroines”, explains their teacher, Vikki.

Part of a major awareness campaign from the London Fire Brigade, this visit was possible thanks to a quieter morning, cut short by the first call of the shift.

“A fire alarm was turned on by food burning in a kitchen. Thankfully, no one was hurt,” explains station officer Chris Baldwin. “This is the kind of emergency we try to avoid by taking the time to educate people, sometimes even in their own house thanks to Home Fire Safety visits.” This program consists of assessing risks in vulnerable people’s homes. “We ask many questions, guide them on smoke alarm usage or how to plan an escape route free of obstacles”, Chris adds.

As soon as the team return to the station on Long Lane, leading firefighter James Hoad supervises a drill to maintain readiness for any upcoming emergency. Using the training tower, the participate in a simple scenario of a third-floor apartment domestic fire. Using the ladder and pump engines, the team practises in what looks like well-synchronised choreography.

This relatively quiet shift is not representative of the station’s normal level of activity. Finchley is the biggest of four stations in Barnet, “there is never a dull moment”, confirmed firefighter Jamie Miles. After seven years at the station, he knows his way around its halls “almost better than my family home”, he jokes while making his way to the storage room.

Surrounded by holey hoses and solar panel isolator sprays, the 30-year-old explains: “After a dry start of the season, our main concern is wildfires. Barnet has a large amount of open spaces, we will soon start bringing awareness about barbecues and smoking. Most of this will soon be put in the OSU.” The Operational Support Unit is what Jamie calls “the relief engine”.

He adds: “Because we have fewer calls than other boroughs, we often go out in support of other stations. We can assist with major floods or fires, like what happened last March at Heathrow airport.”

In a single day, Finchley’s firefighters have stepped into the roles of heroes, rescuers, educators, and community support. It’s a lot to take on for a watch of fourteen but, to paraphrase Borough Commander Peter Johnson, their ultimate goal is to help people put themselves at less risk, so the firefighters don’t even have to put on their uniforms…

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