Earlier today (28 September), applications opened for full-time firefighters across Staffordshire.

16 positions are available and successful candidates will complete an apprenticeship, where development and career progression is supported.

Station Manager at Newcastle and Loggerheads, Mike Loader has two decades of experience working in different areas across the service.

Back in July, Mike was the Incident Commander at a large fire involving a derelict building on Stafford Street, Hanley.

He said: "Over the past 20 years, I have worked at many different stations across Staffordshire, from a firefighter to now as a Station Manager.

"Being a Station Manager means I am often the Incident Commander at large incidents, so I am essentially in charge of organising appliances, crews and ensuring the safety of everyone involved."

Six appliances and two aerial ladder platforms (ALPs) attended the scene on Stafford Street and crews worked for several days to extinguish the fire.

Mike continued: "I could see as soon as I got to that incident that the fire was spreading quickly, so it was crucial that it was brought under control.

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"The responsibility of running a large incident like the one on Stafford Street is huge.

"It's my job to ensure that everyone working there is safe, the public are protected and no local businesses are damaged.

"But when the fire is extinguished and nobody is hurt it's a great feeling, it's really rewarding."

Once new recruits are fully competent, there are many different specialisms available across the service including rope and water rescue, investigations, hazardous materials and learning and development.

Mike added: "I've had a varied and rewarding career in the fire service and no two days are the same.

"I'm very proud to look back at my career after two decades and still represent the service I started with and the communities I've always worked to protect."

Applications will close on 11 October, click here to find out more.