The High Sheriff was delighted to visit Burton Fire Station on Wednesday 31st August. He was accompanied by Matt Hancock, Head of Burton Albion’s Community Trust and they met Jon Kitchener, Burton Fire Station Manager.
Following the meeting, firefighters are now teaming up with Burton Albion Football Club as part of a community-focus initiative and the partnership will provide wellbeing support, employment opportunities and work-related experiences to a diverse local community, with both the Fire Service and Football Club at its heart.
Jon said: “Serving our community is the Fire Service’s core focus, and with the help of Burton Albion we can continue to drive this objective forward and create positive outcomes for the people of Burton-on-Trent.”
The partnership will see joint open days at both the club and fire station, training opportunities for youngsters, joint-fire prevention sessions, community fundraisers and more.
It is also a chance for the Fire Service to identify potential new recruits.
As part of the scheme, young people will get the chance to chat with firefighters and representatives from the Burton Albion Community Trust – with the aim of boosting their confidence and help them to pursue careers within Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The High Sheriff, Ben Robinson MBE DL, said: “We were delighted to visit the fire station and we are excited about the plans for our partnership and what we can achieve working together.
“Supporting the community is at the heart of everything we do at Burton Albion and that involves working with a diverse range of organisations and pooling our expertise and resources.
“This builds on our longstanding relationship with firefighters and will see us make an even greater impact going forward.”
Now, both organisations hope to continue this relationship with Jon planning to participate in the Brewers 10k event, in full firefighter kit on Sunday 9 October.
Jon said: “Being in a community is about talking to each other.
“It’s about chatting with the person next-door, helping those who are vulnerable and making sure we look after each other as best we possibly can.
“I want to complete this run in my firefighting gear to remind the public that the service is here for them, and we always want to hear from you.”
The High Sheriff of Staffordshire with Jon Kitchener, Burton Fire Station Manager & Matt Hancock