Matt Akers is a crew commander at Lydd airport.

What does your job involve?

Apart from being ready to respond to any emergency event, we are also trained to administer oxygen and entonox (gas and air) and to use defibrillators. We act as co-responders with the ambulance service, which means we can react quickly to 'Red Calls' if somebody in the local area around the airfield needs help.

How did you get this position?

I was a serving firefighter at the airport when I was promoted to the role of crew commander. I had to attend a two-and-a-half-week training course for the role at the International Fire Training College at Teesside Airport. Following my successful completion of this intensive course I returned to the station as a crew commander and am now in charge of Blue Watch.

What do you enjoy about your job? Are there any difficult areas?

I enjoy working in a team and you have to be a team player to work in our environment. I also enjoy the spontaneity of the job – you always have to think on your feet. No two days are the same and no two incidents are the same. The crews are great. too, just like an extended family. The down side is the paperwork. We have our fair share in the Fire and Rescue Service and it’s something you have to get used to. It doesn’t matter how much of it you do, there still always seems to be the same amount left on your desk!

Are there any personal qualities that help in this profession?

Like I said, it’s team work and the ability to adapt and be flexible at any given point in the day. You have to be self-motivated with a lot of common sense. A sense of humour is a must, too – you’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself.

What would your advice be to others interested in following a similar path?

Look in the local paper as airports often advertise firefighter positions there. Once you have completed the initial firefighter’s course then it’s just a case of gaining the experience in that role before moving up the ladder.