Father and daughter help protect their local community as on call firefighters

Anthony Dowling and daughter Toni are part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crew at Killin Community Fire Station.

On call firefighters often juggle their role with primary employment and Anthony looks after the family farm in nearby Kinnell. He’s been a farmer for more than 30 years, the same time as he’s also been an on call firefighter.

Daughter Toni, who also helps at the farm, followed in her father's footsteps and trained to become an on call firefighter two years ago.

Toni, 27, said: “I was inspired to join by my father. I’ve grown up watching him and I have always been very proud of his job.

“When I was younger, I also took part in the fire cadets, which I loved.

“My experience so far has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the training and feel privileged to be part of the outstanding team at Killin. Their support has been instrumental in my development and growth, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me in the Fire Service.”

When Anthony first took on the farm, he was looking for some additional income. A friend suggested he consider being an on call firefighter. Anthony decided to join the ranks, and three decades later, he has no regrets.

He said: “You are working with a great crew and, while at times it can be stressful, at times it can be really good fun.

“It is a commitment. You need to have your family onboard unquestionably and there is a lot of training, but if I was starting now I would 100% do it all again.”

Dougie Morrison, Crew Commander at Killin Community Fire Station, said: “Farmers often bring valuable skills to the role. They can have excellent problem-solving ability and they bring common sense and practicality, and an ability to work with machinery and equipment.”

The Dowlings firefighting roles mean the pair keep fit and healthy and they can be quite competitive when it comes to fitness training on the farm.

As well as the physical benefits the role of on-call firefighter brings, it can also generate mental health benefits by helping to balance time away from the farm, developing team-working and a sense of pride in delivering a valuable service to the local community.

The father and daughter duo have made a video with the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) talking about their shared love of farming and the fire service.

Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI, said the Dowlings are a great example of the way farming families throughout Scotland very often play a vital role in their local communities.

“Anthony and Toni are also shining a light on the benefits of getting off the farm. Being part of a team doing something very different can bring lots of personal benefits in terms of both mental and physical wellbeing.”

For anyone considering the role of an on call firefighter, Toni said: “Speak to your local station, meet the crew, go to a couple of drill nights and see what it’s all about. It is a big commitment, but you will have so much support so absolutely go for it. Everyone has their strengths; you never know what you might bring to the crew.”

Anthony and Toni Dowling’s interview with RSABI is available to watch here: https://youtu.be/xyGAHdpwKZc

For more information about becoming an on call firefighter: On call firefighter | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (firescotland.gov.uk)