Chichester’s chimney sweeping firefighter and stove installer

• Your career path has been very varied. Can you tell me about the different work you have done?

I’ve done lots of different jobs. Growing up I wasn’t particularly academic and I didn’t get any A-levels, but I always knew that I wanted to earn my own living and not be dependent on anyone else. After leaving school I ended up working for an outdoor activity company. I have also run a sweet shop, worked for a building firm, been a key worker in a primary school for a little girl with cerebral palsy and worked for a paddle boarding company. For many years I was also a swimming teacher at Chichester’s Westgate Leisure Centre.

• Today your work centres on fireplaces and fire prevention. How did that come about?

Another previous job was for a stove installation company. I decided to do a chimney sweeping course, as that went hand-in-hand with stove installation, and then I did a HETAS qualification [the formal qualification a stove installer should hold]. My name suddenly spread and people seemed to like having a qualified female installer. I do work hard to ensure that my customers get that finishing touch. But stove installing and chimney sweeping is seasonal, so once I was up and running I started looking around for something else. I applied to the Fire Brigade and started full time last year.

• Which fire station are you based at?

I am based in Worthing but I live near Chichester, so I also do retained work for Chichester. The stove and chimney work I fit in as and when I can. There’s only me and the dog and the cat so I can organise my schedule without worrying anyone else.

• For someone who wasn’t academic you have certainly achieved a lot. Have you always been ambitious?

Yes. And I love to keep learning. I also can’t sit still; I’ve usually got a project on the go and I’m always doing handy jobs for my neighbours.

• What is the most important fire prevention tip you can share with Observer readers?

Shut your doors when you go to bed. Shutting doors contains a fire and gives you valuable extra time. We recently attended a kitchen fire. A girl who had heard one of our presentations at school managed to save the whole house being burnt down by shutting the door on her way out. Oh, and test your smoke alarms weekly. Without fail.

• When should we sweep our chimneys?

Chimneys should be swept annually. If you book me to sweep you chimney then you’re less likely to need me as a firefighter.

• What is ‘down time’ for you?

Going for a mammoth dog walk with Crixus, my border terrier-Patterdale cross. And going to a decent local pub for a really good home cooked meal and a drink. Being fit is really important as a firefighter, so I love my fitness too.

• For more information visit www.facebook.com/TraditionalTwistandsweep80 or call 07792 035290.

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