From FM to fireman

QUAY FM presenter Andy Newman is gearing up for a new career as a firefighter in Guernsey.

Andy, 45, who has lived in Alderney for the past seven years, will join Guernsey Airport's fire and rescue crew later this month.

The father of three is currently a member of Alderney Fire Brigade and he says the training and experience he's gained here helped him get the job in Guernsey.

'Being a firefighter was something I thought about when I was in England but because I was in full-time employment, doing something totally different, it was a distant dream,' he said.

'Coming here and being able to do it on a voluntary basis allowed me to get on with my normal work and still be part of the fire service. To be honest, I didn't realise how much I would enjoy being on the fire service. It's been an absolute pleasure working with all the guys and girls and going through all the training. Everything I've done here has undoubtedly gone towards me gaining the job in Guernsey.'

Andy, who has spent much of his seven years in Alderney renovating his Stoney Lane home, applied for the job after seeing an advert in the Guernsey Press while sitting, appropriately enough, in Guernsey Airport.

'I got invited to a Christmas do last year and while I was sat in the airport I noticed the advert in the Guernsey Press. I couldn't believe my eyes because the age limit had been altered, which put me right on the limit.

'I applied for the job straight away and after passing the medical exam I found out I'd got it. I was absolutely over the moon.'

Andy went on to detail his most memorable moments as an Alderney firefighter.

'There've been so many things and every one has been different and exciting.

'From the moment your pager goes off, you don't know what to expect.

'We've had some emotional rescues. We rescued a puppy off the cliffs and a dog that had fallen down a well. We also had a number of fires at the Impot a few years ago, followed by a gorse fire and a house fire.

All three happened in the same week, so that was extremely taxing.

'However, every call-out has been enjoyable and a pleasure to do for the community.'

Away from firefighting, Andy is also a keen DJ and quickly became involved with Quay FM when he moved to Alderney from Leicestershire with his wife Julie and children Lewis, 13, Tommy, 12, and Rio, eight, in 2002.

'I've done the lunchtime show on Quay FM since I was here and I've really enjoyed it.

'It's unbelievable really that I've been a radio presenter, as it's not often a man off the street can get his own show.'

One of Andy's favourite Quay FM moments involved him entering the media pedal kart race during Alderney Week – and being disqualified after hopping off midway round and getting on to a powered go-kart.

'Obviously I did win but I was disqualified due to a technicality,' he said.

'The rules said you had to use a pedal kart with two pedals and I did – except my two pedals were a brake and accelerator...'