Ashleigh is geared up
Campbeltown’s Ashleigh Conner has just passed her ‘blue light’ training to allow her to drive the town’s 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. She is one of Argyll and Bute Council’s modern apprentice team.
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’s new skills were assessed as she negotiated unfamiliar terrain while describing the various potential hazards along the way.
‘I’m happy to have passed, but glad it’s over with,’ said Ashleigh. ‘I’m not used to driving in the city so I had to be quite switched on all the time.
‘I’ve been with the service for seven years now, having done five years as a cadet first. It’s something I enjoy and lets me help the community.’
As well as being a retained firefighter, Ashleigh is also a year-and-a-half into her modern apprenticeship, which she loves because ‘every day is different’.
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 seemed a logical step to apply.
Councillor Roddy McCuish, policy lead for roads and amenity services, said: ‘Well done, Ashleigh. Not only are you doing brilliantly in your training, you’re also making a valuable contribution to your community through your volunteering.
‘I’m sure it was a major achievement to pass your blue light assessment first time and please accept my congratulations on behalf of the council.’