Mark, who has worked for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for 12 years, is originally from Northern Ireland. He is married with two children, Manus (9) and Carmen (1), and currently lives in Rutherglen.

How did you come to work for the fire service?
I joined straight from university in 1996 because I thought it would be a career in which I could stay physically fit, as well as having a worthwhile role within the community.
The first station I worked at was Polmadie in the south of Glasgow, and then I switched to Pollock Fire Station. After that, I moved to Calton in the east end of Glasgow.

Was the training difficult?
I found the training very challenging, but at the same time enjoyable.
To join the fire service, there is a lengthy recruitment process, which involves passing tasks, sitting exams and having medicals.
If accepted, you are sent to Scotland's Fire Service Training College for approximately 12 weeks and in all remain a trainee for 2-3 years.

In 12 years service, you must have seen Strathclyde Fire and Rescue undergo many changes...
There have many changes, the most significant being that we are now more actively involved in the community.
In the early days, we would sit about until we were needed, although we would do some training. We weren't as involved outside of the station as we are today.
Now, we take measures to prevent fires, road traffic accidents and other incidents.
It is a statutory duty to not just save a situation but to work within the community to promote a safety message.
Today, all emergency services aim to go round schools to help make pupils more aware of the impact of hoax calls or the impact violent incidents against staff can have.

Do you ever consider the potential dangers of your job?
I don't think about any potential hazards because there is no point in doing so.
We receive training to cope with the dangerous situations we attend and we understand the command structure.
Also, I am physically fit enough to be able to do the job and am confident in my own ability that I am not intimidated.

How are you settling into your new job?
Very well. I'm working with an excellent watch and crew commanders, as well as the firefighters themselves.

What advice would you give to anyone who is keen to become a firefighter?
I would advise anyone who is thinking about joining the fire service to do so.
It is a very worthwhile and enjoyable career, and I think any firefighter you speak to would endorse that.
When I joined, there was only one female firefighter at the station and although now there are more, there is still a disproportionate number compared to male firefighters.
This could be down to the fact that the public perception is that firefighting is male-dominated. I would encourage any female who is interested to join because they are equally capable of doing the job.

What is the biggest incident you have attended?
The Stockline Factory incident in 2004 in Maryhill was like no other blast I have attended because of the sheer scale of the site and the large number of personnel that were involved. I've never seen so many firefighters.

What does being a station commander entail?
My job involves managing the station, assisting the watch commander and co-ordinating activities for the organisation as a whole.
I also have to liaise with our headquarters and represent the fire station when working with our partner agencies, such as the police and ambulance service.
A station commander is a more office based role, but I would still be mobilised if the incident required it.

Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
I have less time for hobbies now since the birth of my second child, but I used to compete in triathlons.
I would say I am sporty and have to keep physically fit for my job.

Getting to know you
First car: Fiat Punto
First record: Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA
Book currently reading: Two Caravans, by Marina Lewycka
Favourite holiday destination: Portugal
Famous person most like to meet: Ben Johnson