Burning desire ... Feeling the heat on training day with firefighters

REPORTER LAYCIE BECK GETS STUCK IN AND KITTED OUT TO TAKE ON TOUGH CHALLENGE TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ON THE FRONT LINE WITH LINCOLNSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE TEAMS

- LAYCIE BECK

FIREFIGHTERS have to be ready for almost everything. It's not just about fighting fires – floods, collapsed buildings, rescuing people from danger and dealing with hazardous materials incidents are among the call outs they receive.

Anyone wanting to train to be a firefighter in the county will end up at the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Training Centre in Waddington, which prepares the lifesavers for almost anything.

In addition to all of the courses and selection days that take place at the site, the service also holds a number of 'have a go' days.

These are a great opportunity to learn more about the role of on-call firefighters, try out some of the selection tests, and understand the fitness and strength needed for the role.

I decided to join in on one of these days, which are usually held on weekends but there are a few weeknight sessions each year as well.

Before I even got there I was dreading it. Not because of how hard I thought it would be, although it was even more difficult than I had ever imagined, but because of the heatwave we are experiencing.

The idea of running around in 26C whilst wearing full firefighter kit was not at all my idea of a relaxed evening, but I reminded myself that firefighters can't pick the weather when it comes to saving lives.