Last updated at 17:04, Friday, 25 January 2013

TEACHING others to save lives, protecting people from the risk of death in their own homes and helping youngsters develop vital life skills and experience – it is all in a day’s work, a day’s volunteering, actually, for Derek Plumb.

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Mr Plumb has been a community volunteer for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service for the last three years, working mainly in the south of the county near to his Barrow home.

He is able to pick and choose how much time he dedicates to the role, and which activities and services he helps with. At the moment, his time is mainly dedicated to teaching others lifesaving skills.

Mr Plumb is one of a number of volunteers who help run the fire service’s regular HeartStart sessions, designed to train members of the public to act in emergencies.

At the moment, the former teacher is experiencing a blast from the past, as he is busy leading groups of school pupils through the training.

His sessions proved a hit with the fire station’s most recent visitors, a group from Furness Academy.

Vickie Wharton, a 16-year-old pupil, said: “I thought it was brilliant, it was fun, but we learned a lot as well.

“I feel a lot more prepared now for if anything does happen.”

When Mr Plumb is not busy putting people in the recovery position, showing off his CPR skills or administering first aid, he often finds himself carrying out home safety visits.

The fire service is looking for more volunteers like Mr Plumb to help out with these and a range of other responsibilities.

Those who are interested in becoming a fire service volunteer are asked to call Nicola Jackson on 01768 812550.

First published at 16:26, Friday, 25 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk