Council Modern Apprentice, Ashleigh Connor, has just passed her 鈥渂lue light鈥 training to allow her to drive Campbeltown鈥檚 fire engines in emergency situations.
Twenty-year-old Ashleigh has been a retained firefighter for two years. As the crew was short of drivers, and Ashleigh as an apprentice HGV mechanic already held a Class 2 Licence, she decided to go for it.
Training involved a week-long intensive course in Glasgow, comprising classroom and on-road work. Studies covered hazard awareness, motorway driving and understanding different types of roads.
At the end of the week Ashleigh鈥檚 new skills were assessed as she negotiated unfamiliar terrain while describing the various potential hazards along the way.
Ashleigh said: 鈥淚鈥檓 happy to have passed, but glad it鈥檚 over with. I鈥檓 not used to driving in the city so I had to be quite switched on all the time.
鈥淚鈥檝e been with the service for seven years now, having done five years as a cadet first. It鈥檚 something I enjoy and lets me help the community.鈥
As well as being a volunteer firefighter, Ashleigh is also a year and a half into her Modern Apprenticeship, which she loves because 鈥渆very day is different鈥.
Her interest in mechanics came after she took an engineering course at school and then enjoyed fixing her car when it developed faults. When the apprenticeship came up, it seems a logical step was to apply.
Councillor Roddy McCuish, Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, said: 鈥淲ell done Ashleigh. Not only are you doing brilliantly in your training, you鈥檙e also making a valuable contribution to you community through your volunteering.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure it was a major achievement to pass your 鈥榖lue light鈥 assessment first time and please accept my congratulations on behalf of the council.鈥