A tense 999 call of a terrified woman trapped in a Glasgow flat fire has been released.
The frantic woman can be heard begging for help after noticing black smoke leak into her home, after a blaze began in the stairwell of her building.
Firefighter Control Beth McInnes took the emergency call during a night shift at Johnstone Operations Control room in Renfrewshire earlier this year.
She remained calm and provided reassurance to the distressed caller until firefighters arrived to rescue her.
The caller, who remains anonymous, said: “I feared for my life that night.
"I'm incredibly thankful for all the help from Beth and all firefighters who helped me."
During the audio clip Beth can be heard telling the caller to use bedding or towels to stop smoke entering the room.
She then urges her to stay near a window to get fresh air and wait for help to arrive.
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Beth, who joined the Service in 2024, said: “It was a team effort. As much as I was the one on the phone, the rest of the team in the control room supported me.
“I’m glad that the caller was brought to safety.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is looking to recruit more Firefighter Control staff.
Roles are avaliable for Operations Control staff across its three sites in Johnstone, Dundee, and Edinburgh.
Firefighter Control across Scotland are the frontline in supporting emergency incidents and coordinating our resources across Scotland, yet often goes unnoticed.
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Speaking of her role as Firefighter Control, Beth said: “I find my job to be both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
“It's truly fulfilling to know that I could potentially be a source of reassurance and comfort for someone in their time of need and have the opportunity to make a positive impact every day.”
Beth’s transition to working as a Firefighter Control is a significant change in her career.
After dedicating nearly a decade to the hospitality industry, she made the bold decision to pursue a new career in the emergency services.
Reflecting on her choice, she said: “I was longing for new challenges in my career. When the opportunity presented itself, I seized it.
“Every moment in this job brings me great satisfaction.”
Area Commander Control Jacqui MacDonald said: “Our Firefighter Control play an important role in responding to various emergencies, from fires to water rescue.
“I encourage those who have strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills under pressure to apply.
“Our dedicated instructors will provide full support and guidance throughout the training to ensure that every individual becomes a skilled Firefighter Control capable of handling emergencies of all kinds.”
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