“As long as we are given the training most of us will do anything.”

Those are the words of firefighter Simon Appleby, and a kind of motto at Caversham Road Fire Station, where they fight much more than just fire.

One of the oldest and largest fire stations in Berkshire, Caversham Road also has what is believed to be the largest inshore boat in the country.

The crew can be called to help out up and down the country. Last year, they went to Norfolk and Ipswich to help with floods.

The Fire Alpha II Rescue Boat also responds to fire and rescue emergencies on the River Thames.

Days at Caversham Road go from very busy to quiet and can involve both human and animal emergencies.

The team rescue cats and dogs, but also larger animals.

Simon said: “We go if someone is going to be put at risk. A woman got stuck on the roof trying to save a cat. She made us some good brownies that day. But we very rarely get cats and dogs. We get far more large animals, like deer and cows. “Cows are very inquisitive. They will just walk into the river. They swim really well.”

He added: “We get sent to so many things where we think ‘why have they sent us?’ but we get the job done. We train for a wide range of events.“If no one knows what to do they will phone the fire service.”

“It brings a different aspect to our job. The team is very popular because of our specialisms

Geoff Wright, crew manager at Caversham Road, added: “Morally, we all want to help animals.”

The team assist people who need cannot move house by themselves and even respond to medical emergencies.

Geoff said: “We do a lot of assisting people out of houses when they cannot move.

“We tend to so much more medical emergencies now due to how overworked the ambulances are.

“We all have training in treating patients.”

Simon added: “It is not so much treating; It is more like triaging someone so that, when a paramedic turns up, we can say they have got a punctured lung. We can say to them that there is pain here or there. We have done all those checks, so they can crack on with what they need to do.”

Dave Beards, another member of the crew, said: “We have waited an hour for ambulances.”

Simon said: “Most people do the job to help. As long as we are given the training most of us will do anything.”

Firefighters are regularly exposed to trauma - more than 5,000 visit the Fire Fighters Charity support centres every year and about 40 per cent go for psychological support.

Geoff said: “The watch is part of the first support network. We talk a lot about jobs.

Simon added: “Your support system is your watch. They are like your family.” Half the time I am at home and half the time I am here.

“They are the people you lean on. We do not focus on what has happened, we focus on something else.”

The team take it in turns to work on Christmas Day.

Geoff said: “It is one the of the downsides of the job.

“You have to be at work when you know all your family are enjoying themselves.”

Simon added: “It is quiet. More people are at home. Fires generally happen in the evening at unoccupied houses.

Advice for Christmas?

Neil Carter, group manager for West Berkshire, said: “Be careful with lighting candles and leaving them on. If you have got a real tree, make sure you water it.”