Supporting Reserves and Armed Forces Day
Posted by Jacob Collier on 22 June 2022
Oli Wright is a firefighter at Highfields Fire Station, a Royal Navy veteran, and current Army Reservist.
Before becoming a firefighter, Oli served in the Royal Navy on Trafalgar Class attack submarines. Their role is to conduct covert surveillance and reconnaissance, along with delivering special forces into combat areas.
He left the Royal Navy in 2009 to join the Prison Service before applying to become a firefighter with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Oli re-joined the military as a Reservist in 2016, joining the Royal Army Medical Corp attached to the Royal Yeomanry, whose role is to gather intelligence.
Being a Reservist has allowed Oli to continue to be involved in military life and the work with the Royal Yeomanry allows him to continue a reconnaissance role that he enjoyed back in the Navy.
The skills that Oli has learnt during his time in the military help him with his role as a firefighter, particularly medical skills which he uses at incidents.
As a Gold Award Defence Employer, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service offers one of the most generous employer offers in the East Midlands with 21 days of fully paid leave, plus further uncapped unpaid leave, for reservists and adult cadet volunteers.
Veterans and Reservists have recently come together to establish an employee network, which offers peer support for staff and an opportunity to discuss ideas.
The Armed Forces Day flag will be flown at stations and NFRS sites.
Chief Fire Officer Craig Parkin said: "As a veteran myself, I know the value of having veterans and Reservists as part of our organisation - in whatever role they do to keep our communities safe.
"We're proud to support our Reservists with dedicated time off for their training as we recognise the value that brings to people's roles here in Nottinghamshire.
"In celebrating Reserves Day and Armed Forces Day, I want to say thank you to all those who serve, and have served, and their families."