"After a field fire I attended, one of the older members of the crew came to me to say how I impressed them with how hard I had worked and the skills I’d demonstrated.
"It was a good feeling to know that what I’d learnt at training school had paid off.”
At the time of Nicola joining, there were no female station facilities or uniform at the fire service.
Her first payslip even gave her role as firewoman. This, however, didn’t deter Nicola from pursuing a career as a firefighter.
She added: “While I was studying, I would often see the Wisbech crew practicing their skills in the station drill yard from the window of the isle college library.