My name is Craig Turner, I have been working at CUH since April 2020. I work within the Fire Safety Management Team as one of the Fire Safety Advisors. I'm sharing my CUH story as part of estates and facilities week and, as we share the week with Armed Forces Week, giving an account of my military background too.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all Estates & Facilities staff for your support in my CUH journey, you have all been fantastic.
My CUH journey
My journey started on the 26 November 1986, I remember standing on a cold damp platform at Cambridge railway station aged just 17. I had my ticket in hand to take me to Lincoln where I was expected to arrive by 12 noon to start my military career in the Royal Air Force. Being so young, I contemplated many times if I had done the right thing. However, I continued the journey and arrived being met by some military persons at the far end of the station. I still remember stepping off the train being so nervous walking towards the new group of military staff. It was here my nerves were whisked away when I was greeted by the warm tangy breath of the drill sergeant, barking directly into my ear asking me politely to ‘move quickly towards the waiting transport and that my life depended on it’. We were taken to the factory for basic training where hundreds of us were transformed into military staff, albeit wet behind the ears. Once this stage of training was completed, everyone starburst to other locations across the UK for operational trade training, my chosen career was to become part of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service.
Royal Air Force service
The RAF defends UK/NATO air space and delivers assets across the globe. The way this is delivered is by strategically located stations maintaining a fully functional operating base. Each base must be capable of operating with little notice for global deployment such as a natural disaster, other bases are capable of deploying with no notice in a defensive or strike role responding to hostile intent. To ensure Pilots and their aircraft can perform these functions, each base will have multiple trades working behind the scenes in isolation completing their jobs, but collectively deliver operational excellence. These trades include Air Traffic Control, Drivers, Engine Technicians, Armourers, Medics, Fire etc. basically everything required contained in a secure base.
Whilst in the RAF I had gained many qualifications specific to my trade, I also acquired many transferable skills that can be used in multiple environments. However, when I left the RAF, I quickly realised I had been institutionalised, something in my life was missing, I no longer had that sense of security, I was no longer making a difference or part of a bigger picture, this created a void which started making me feel anxious.
When I left the RAF, I quickly realised I had been institutionalised, something in my life was missing, I no longer had that sense of security, I was no longer making a difference or part of a bigger picture, this created a void which started making me feel anxious.
Finding purpose - Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
I then spent time not understanding why I felt the way I did unconsciously trying to fill the void. Then, in 1995 I joined Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service where I found my life’s purpose. I gained job satisfaction, felt valued and I certainly made a difference to many people’s lives. I worked mostly in operational response at multiple locations during my career, however by far my favourite time was working at Cambridge Fire Station on the legendary ‘White Watch’, working alongside some of the world’s finest people. I have many stories for the grandkids but not for today.
Unfortunately, in 2014 I was involved in a severe road traffic collision whilst I was returning home from work, my injuries although not life threatening were life changing. This resulted with the service deciding I could no longer perform operational duties and I was retired from a career that gave me everything. This was a game changing chapter in my life, unfortunately due to not having control over my departure from the brigade, it again opened a huge void and awoke my anxieties. Over time many of my physical injuries were managed, I tried lots of different jobs including working as a contractor to NATO under their resolute support mission in Afghanistan. Later I returned home and worked completing Fire Risk Assessments for multiple clients, but this role did not fill my void.
Unfortunately, in 2014 I was involved in a severe road traffic collision whilst I was returning home from work, my injuries although not life threatening were life changing.
Joining the Fire Safety Team at Addenbrooke's
In December 2019 I saw an advert to work at Addenbrooke's as part of the Fire Safety Team. I applied when Covid was not on the horizon, I must have said something right as I was offered the role of Fire Safety Advisor to which I obviously accepted. I started in April 2020 (not a good time to start) watching our clinical staff implement completely new ways of working to deal with Covid, observing their struggles and hardship, wearing multiple layers of PPE, external temperatures reaching 40 degrees all while looking after their patients was very inspiring and emotional at the same time.
Watching a large organisation like the NHS deliver such an operational response locally, I started to recognise the similarities of the RAF to the NHS, in the RAF we had pilots to support, in the NHS we have our clinical teams. They need trades working behind the scenes in isolation completing their jobs, but collectively deliver operational excellence. This time the trades are, Drivers, Carpenters, Heating Engineers, Security, Cleaners, Fire etc. all contained on one site. At last I could fill the void and feel accomplished when driving home from work. I’m feeling very valued and I know I make a positive difference every day.
Watching a large organisation like the NHS deliver such an operational response locally, I started to recognise the similarities of the RAF to the NHS, in the RAF we had pilots to support, in the NHS we have our clinical teams.
The best part of my role is educating staff, either face to face completing evacuation training or getting interaction during our mandatory lectures is always enjoyable. As a team we try to ensure the sessions are engaging, especially the 08:00 slot with staff coming off nights and with what can be considered a dry subject. I try to engage staff so they firstly remain awake, but also feel better informed about legislation and their fire safety responsibilities. Any questions staff have are generally answered by the time I’ve completed the training session. If not I always make time to stay behind, it’s more important to me that staff have answers to their questions to feel empowered and capably to deal with any fire related incident.
Since working at CUH I have been supported and mentored for future career progression, in addition I’ve attended multiple courses at Eastwood park adding new qualifications specifically in healthcare to my list. My experiences and newly acquired qualifications meant when a position in the team was advertised, I was ready and able to apply for one of the senior roles within the fire team. After successfully passing the selection and interview process, I’m pleased to state I am now a senior fire safety advisor and enjoying the added accountabilities.
Since working at CUH I have been supported and mentored for future career progression
My best day
My best day at CUH was the day my daughter joined the Trust and started her nursing apprenticeship. It was summer 2020 and her first day in the NHS. I felt so proud, I must have looked like a peacock in full plumage walking her into work to start her new career, and it’s a memory that will stay with me forever. It’s a time marker if you will, like the first time she crossed the road on her own, very emotional.
And finally, being ex-military and local authority Fire Service, I’ve spent a lifetime knowing people only called us when they were in peril, rarely did we get a thank you.
This was accepted and I have no complaints, however it has taught me to never underestimate the power of words. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all Estates & Facilities staff for your support in my CUH journey, you have all been fantastic.
To all the CUH clinical warriors, thank you, you do a fantastic job and you do make a difference every single day to every single patient.
Look after yourselves, and each other.
My best day at CUH was the day my daughter joined the Trust and started her nursing apprenticeship.
What does a usual day look like?
Despite having general roles to perform within the team, no two days are the same. Responding to fire alarm activations, completing Fire Risk Assessments and the many fall out works, carrying out multiple training courses, checking building plans, responding to fire safety questions etc. keeps everyday challenging and dare I say, enjoyable.