George Powell, from Diss, becomes fifth family member of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

With four members of his family already firmly established as firefighters, George Powell may well bump into a few friendly faces when his first emergency call comes in.

The 18-year-old, from Diss, joins his older brothers, Harry and Joe, his dad, Robert, and his sister-in-law, Kayleigh, in the role after completing an initial two-week training course to become an on-call firefighter.

For dad Robert, who has been with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service for 30 years, mostly as a full-time firefighter but now as on-call watch manager at Diss, it is a special moment to be working alongside so many family members.

“To have my third son join, and for my daughter-in-law to be in the service, too, is a really proud day for me,” he said.

“My wife is also very proud and has been really supportive of us over the years. At one time, Harry, Joe and I were all on-call firefighters at Diss, which has an impact on your family life.

“If we got an emergency call, we would all disappear together, so having a supportive family is hugely important.”

George, who will be based at Diss Fire Station, was only too happy to follow in the footsteps of his dad and two brothers.

“I started in Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at a young age, joining Diss Fire Cadets when I was 14,” he said.

“I have always been interested in it, and watching my family enjoy being in the service really made me want to join.

“I am trying out being on-call at the moment and will see how it goes before I decide if I want to become a full-time firefighter.”

Sister-in-law Kayleigh was a fire cadet in Wymondham, before working in fire control and is now a fire investigation and protection officer.

She said: “We do talk about work a lot, but it’s great. We are a family and then the fire service is also like a big family.”

Brothers Harry and Joe are both full-time firefighters based at North Earlham. Joe is also on-call at Hethersett.

In Norfolk, 39 of the county’s 42 fire stations rely on on-call firefighters to help protect their community, providing on-call cover to respond to fire and emergency calls.

George is among nine recent recruits to be welcomed into Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service as a part-time firefighter.

Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities and partnerships at Norfolk County Council, praised the nine people for joining the service.

“I would like to welcome our new on-call firefighters and thank them for the commitment they have shown to the people of this county by completing their training and taking on this important role,” she said.

“I would also like to thank their employers, who are helping everyone in our communities by releasing their staff to serve as on-call firefighters.”

The new recruits have spent the last two weeks doing their initial training at a specialist training centre in Bowthorpe.

They will go on duty in their local communities and will continue their training over the next couple of years with the aim of becoming fully competent firefighters.