Nick Naber Photo by:Brandweer Flevoland

After I graduated in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and I was looking for work, volunteering seemed like a good idea to me. I saw an ad for volunteer fire fighters in a local paper. After having spent so much time in front of the computer during my studies, doing something out in 'the real world' sounded like a welcome change of pace.

I took a fire fighter training and, sure enough, I experienced the real world, including not only fires but also accidents and stormy nights. The formation of a single safety region for the six municipalities in the province of Flevoland resulted in a list of job vacancies.

I decided to stay with the fire brigade, and after my training at the fire service academy, I was given the position of ‘risk and safety specialist'.

In this job, I am part of the Knowledge Centre team assigned to the specialist risk management tasks of preventing fire-related accidents and minimising the effects in the event any should occur. In addition to advising on safety in urban planning and  infrastructure, the team's advisory task also covers the environment and hazardous materials, complex buildings, major events and risk analysis.

Probing and critical

The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences programme made an important contribution to my professional life. Although the subject matter I learned may not apply directly to my fairly pragmatic tasks, the attitude and analytical framework I acquired do.

The multidisciplinary approach taught me how to approach issues from every possible perspective. For example, during zoning plan consultations I work with numerous other parties, each of which has a specific interest and outlook.

At University, we learned how to adopt an analytical and critical attitude, which has proven particularly useful, even though it often tends to cause friction with the pragmatic and administrative nature of the job. The best idea does not always win in the light of the current situation and political agendas. My investigative attitude has led to a role in the 'fire risk profile' project. This project entails analysing fire-related accidents and gaining an impression of the types of risk present at the regional level. It is becoming increasingly important to adapt measures to reduce these risks.

Applying knowledge

The Urban Studies specialisation helped me to get acquainted with the urban planning process as an observer. Now this specialisation, in addition to other skills, is also helping me as a participant. Thanks to my major, I am also well-prepared to take on the fire brigade's preventative tasks, for example doing more to influence behaviour, and being able to propose possible solutions.

These are interesting times; fire brigades everywhere are facing an increase in scale, and cooperation with the other emergency services is on the rise. Various national research firms are involved in the field of safety, too. In short, I would say that the fire brigade and the world around it still have plenty of challenges to offer me.

http://www.brandweer.nl/flevoland/