Meath youngest Retained Firefighter hopes to inspire the next generation
'I had no interest in becoming a firefighter until I became one. I said to myself 'you wouldn't know if you don't try,' Ms Weldon said.
'Myself and my dad just went down just to see what the story was and if it would suit me at all.'
Sarah applied when recruitment opened at the Nobber station last year. Just a few weeks later, she was called for her very first interview.
'It was my first ever interview for anything, I was really nervous, I didn't really think I'd do very well but I was happy with my results.'
'You always doubt yourself a little bit as you don't know if you'll be able to do it but as you get through the courses or talk to other people, it helps. No matter what, you get to be working in a team.'
One year into the role, Ms Weldon who also continues to work in a deli, reflects on her favourite part of the job - teamwork.
'Everyone picks each other up and carries each other through. Mentally that is so important,' she said.
A standout moment for her was completing the BA (Breathing Apparatus) course — 'It was probably the most mentally and physically challenging course I'd had throughout my firefighter training.'
To get started and out in the field, Ms Weldon completed three weeks of intensive recruit training.
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'There's so many opportunities out there, with a lot of people to help you through. You learn so much on the courses but the real learning is done out on calls.'
'To any young girls or young boys - there is no reason why you can't do these things, believe in yourself. Don't close any doors.'
With women still making up less than 10pc of Irish fire services, Ms Weldon is one of just six female firefighters in Meath.
'I feel so blessed that everyone has been so accepting. When I put in my application, I didn't expect anything would come back but it did and here I am - a year in already.'
Since September 2023, Fire and Rescue Services across Ireland have trained 562 new retained firefighters, but some stations still face staffing shortages.
To address this, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) launched a national campaign to boost recruitment and raise awareness of the vital role retained firefighters play in their communities.
There are 27 Fire Services in Ireland operated under local authorities. Each service handles its own recruitment, including Meath County Council, which is currently inviting applications for retained firefighter positions in Nobber and Ashbourne.
Applicants must be able to respond to the fire station within 5–8 minutes of a call — typically requiring them to live within one mile of the station. Retained firefighters are expected to be on-call for at least 24 weeks per year, with flexibility to provide additional cover.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
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