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Shabana Kosar, community fire safety officer

My story...

How did you get into the Fire Service?
I did a health and community degree and initially tried to find a job in health care. I had no experience whatsoever and I couldn’t get my foot in. I was either overqualified or not qualified enough. When this job came up, I looked at the details and saw it was local and involved working with the community, so it was ideal. I have always wanted to do something different, so it caught my eye. I never expected to get the job, but lo and behold, here I am.

What is it like as a Muslim woman?
When I joined, I was the only Muslim woman in a uniformed role, although another lady has joined since. To be honest, there weren’t any issues. I had to find my place in the organisation. It was very male dominated but it has changed as the team has grown. For people coming in now, they will find it a lot easier as everything is in place for them.

What does your job involve?
It is about promoting fire safety, especially to vulnerable communities. In fire safety week, I went to talk to young children from Eastern European families, for example.

What did your family think?
Initially, they were pretty apprehensive. They couldn’t understand why I wanted to work for the fire service when I had a degree in health. Now they are really happy. It is very local, working in the community that I know. They are comforted to know I’m nearby and getting on with my job and that I am happy. Without their support, I probably would have quivered a bit.

What are your plans for the future?
I kept up with my studies, graduating last year with a postgraduate certificate in education. I would like to move onto the education and training side, perhaps getting involved in training and induction for new starters at the Fire Service. I enjoy the challenge of doing something different.

What would you say to girls thinking of joining the Fire Service?
Come down to the station, talk to people working there to get an insight into the job. They will accommodate visits and take people round. We’re very keen to get more women in.

It’s been a very good experience for me.