I surprised myself...

Post by Apprentice Community Safety Advisor Ryan Williams

During my time as an apprentice with GMFRS I have attended a number of events - often centred around health and/or safety- but only in a supportive capacity as in the setting up and operation of a stall on behalf of the Service.

Recently however, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to take ownership of an event for the first time.

A young persons’ health day hosted by the fire service at Hyde Station on Tuesday, February 19, that I was tasked with organising.

Having never planned any kind of event previously I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

And this activity involving a number of other agencies certainly proved to be a challenge.

From booking vehicles and liaising with other agencies as well as a wide range of staff members at headquarters, Hyde Fire Station and many others to supplying refreshments to providing all the agencies with the necessary number of tables (harder than it sounds!).

It’s only now that I truly appreciate the magnitude of the planning and labour required to keep an event like this running smoothly.

Having said that, I was able to arrange a fairly commendable day of information and activities that at the very least appealed to the young people who attended.

I’ve surprised myself somewhat and hopefully proved what I and indeed any one of the apprentices is capable of.

Despite the stress and various obstacles that are inevitable in putting something like this together, I look forward to the prospect of any further involvement in planning an event that may come my way in the future.

Oh, and a big thank you to the five volunteers who helped out on the day and the agencies that were present who made it all possible.