Fires trump schoolbooks
She splits her day juggling English assignments and attending the scenes of motor vehicle accidents.
At 16, Nicole Davey is one of few female volunteers at Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade and the youngest firefighter in the unit.
The year 12 student has been volunteering since November last year.
‘‘I have always wanted to join up. I like to help out with the community. My uncle ( Colin Davey) is in it as well,’’ she said.
There are about seven female firefighters.
Nicole loves the experience and comradeship.
‘‘It has been good. They are easy to get along with,’’ she said.
‘‘ You get a lot out of it – especially the teamwork.
‘‘You feel like you are doing things for the community and know that you are making a difference.’’
With the job comes the responsibility of attending each call-out, which means Nicole has to leave Putaruru College during schools hours.
‘‘It is good of the school,’’ she said.
Nicole trains every Monday night and said the work can be challenging.
‘‘I am not always up the front where everything happens but sometimes you are and you need that strong team. They will always tell me that if I don’t want to see a particular scene, to just yell at them and they will put you back.
‘‘Like if it is a car accident and you don’t want to be up the front. Because usually I am doing the traffic sides of things,’’ she said.