Last month, our Year 2 Uniformed Protective Services (UPS) learners were privileged to receive an incredibly impactful guest lecture from Firefighter Richard Welch, who served as Lambeth Borough Commander during the Grenfell Tower fire.

As part of their course, learners are required to evaluate emergency response strategies, making Richard’s first-hand insights into operational decision-making and crisis management invaluable to their studies.

Our UPS learners often aspire to join the armed forces or emergency services, pursuing careers as Police Officers, Firefighters, or within the Royal Army or Royal Navy. These are highly disciplined and community-focused professions, and opportunities to learn directly from experienced professionals help our students understand the realities, responsibilities, and human impact of protective service careers.

Richard began by outlining his impressive career journey. Having joined the London Fire Brigade in 1996, he progressed through a range of operational and leadership roles across the capital before becoming the Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Service Delivery Support at Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

During his lecture, Richard reflected on his role on the night of 14 June 2017, when he led the response as Borough Commander to the Grenfell Tower fire. He described the procedures and protocols followed, the scale of the operation, the efforts to rescue residents, and the devastating speed with which the fire spread through the building.

This visit was particularly emotional and thought-provoking. Having spoken at the college previously, Richard tailored this talk to include more in-depth context about responding to major emergencies, focusing on the techniques and strategies used during high-pressure incidents and how to manage the emotional and mental health challenges that can follow.

He shared deeply personal reflections on what it was like to make difficult, life-saving decisions under extreme pressure, offering candid advice on how emergency responders can care for their own wellbeing while supporting others in times of crisis.

Nicola Stent, one of our Uniformed Protective Services Lecturer, expressed her appreciation for Richard’s honesty and the students’ professionalism, saying, “Richard’s first-hand accounts were incredibly powerful and moving and the learners engaged with maturity and genuine curiosity. His reflections on Grenfell Tower and his advice on resilience and emotional wellbeing offered invaluable lessons for the students. It is these honest insights and advice that make guest lectures so important for students personal and professional development.”

Learners left the lecture inspired, with a clearer understanding of what it takes to serve their communities with resilience and compassion. Many commented on how the session made their career ambitions feel achievable and meaningful, providing them with guidance on how to succeed and thrive in the face of future challenges.

A big thank you to Richard Welch for sharing his first-hand experiences, professional expertise, and personal reflections — offering our learners a profound lesson in leadership, courage, and humanity within the protective services.

This guest lecture forms part of the Protective Services Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

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