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We were heading toward Portbury Dock and as we flew down the Portway, control were keeping the leading fire officer updated.

It was very exciting and my heart did not stop pounding.

When we arrived there were enough pumps from other areas at the scene and we were sent back. I will admit to being slightly disappointed.

The day flew by and was divided up by shouts and tasks the watch were required to carry out.

One of the projects they are working on at the moment is a survey of all the streets in their patch confirming whether each building is a dwelling or a business, as well as how many storeys it has.

This requires crews to go out for short periods of time. It isn't the most exciting part of the job but does provide diversity.

The biggest challenge of the day was yet to come. It was something I had been putting off since I had walked into the station - the fire pole.

It is this object which symbolises a fire station to us from when we are small children.

But now standing at the top of the pole 18ft up, on a platform a metre away from it, it didn't look so innocent.

I will admit, it did take two attempts to pluck up the courage to go down it and the crowd that had gathered at the bottom encouraging me was probably more of a help than a hindrance and eventually I did it.

I think that really summed up the day for me considering all the worries I had about not be strong enough in mind and body.

Everything I did was new to me and not all the challenges that were put before me I found easy but they were all achievable with training and encouragement.

To be honest I am not sure why more people don't want to have a go at becoming a firefighter.

There really is nothing to lose and you might surprise yourself. I did.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk