A FIRE chief who has completed 25 years of service is urging others to become firefighters.

Grahame Mitchell, Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Oxfordshire Fire Service, joined in 1992 and said he had never endured a dull day’s work.

Mr Mitchell started his working life as a plumbing engineer before taking fitness and aptitude tests to become a firefighter.

He said: “I decided to follow a long-term dream to apply to be a firefighter and felt a little daunted at the selection process that included psychometric testing, practical aptitude and fitness and strength testing.

“I passed each stage and was invited for a final interview, which was the first interview I ever had.

“The fire service builds team work and instils excellent values and demands that you are the very best you can be.

“ I found this a really rewarding environment to be in and learning something new every day became the norm.”

Mr Mitchell’s first official posting was with White Watch at Rewley Road fire station in Oxford.

The job has changed over the years with the introduction of new hi-tech equipment.

He added: “When I started we used to have to use very heavy and cumbersome equipment and relayed only on our senses to find our way through smoke filled buildings, we now have light weight breathing apparatus and thermal imaging technology.

Mr Mitchell urged people to consider joining to help serve the community.

Visit oxfordshire.gov.uk