From Stage to Service: LIPA Grads Forging Careers in the Fire Brigade

The careers of our graduates have evolved in remarkable, and at times, unexpected ways. After starting out in venues and providing entertainment on cruise ships, two of our graduates are now serving their communities as firefighters. As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we spoke to Billy Cripps and Joseph Whitlow about their career journeys and life on the frontline. 

Billy Cripps (Management, 2009) 

After you graduated, you began working in venues as part of the technical crew. Can you tell us more about that? 

I initially started in a west London venue, to get into the venue world as I did the Management course at LIPA, and that’s where I found myself interested in the technical side. After being made redundant and working freelance, I started working as part of the crew in the Royal Albert Hall. After a while of working there, I got into the show department where I was managing the crews as a whole and the projects within them. 

What was your motivation for joining the London Fire Brigade?  

I was managing a circus venue in west London and on New Year’s Eve I had stayed in the venue after the event with some performers and staff. One of the performers noticed that black smoke was coming up from the floor and after ruling out a small electrical fire, I tried to lead the way to the fire exit, however, they were both blocked by smoke, so I quickly made the decision to lead everybody onto the flat roof. From there, I tried to signal for help, but no one noticed, and the fire was getting closer. Luckily, there was a ladder that had been pitched up onto the wall by the neighbour. Apparently, it was used to collect footballs from the roof! We had no idea it was there, but using that, we got everybody down safely. 

I ended up going to counselling afterwards, and I felt like the fire had beaten me, I had felt so weak in its presence. I thought “I want come back, and I want to be in charge of the fire” and from there I decided to join the London Fire Brigade. I got through first time and I love it. I have since moved on to more managerial roles, which links back to LIPA and the course I studied!  

What's your favourite part about your role as a firefighter? 

I have recently moved on to be a lead firefighter, so I will now go out in charge of fire engines and prioritise the safety of the crew. My role is also all about developing and training firefighters. I really enjoy that side of things. 

You also manage the fire brigade events band. Can you tell me more about this role and what it means to you? 

It’s a new project of mine. I’ve never been very academic, but I do love to be creative. Music is a massive thing for me and one of my goals was to play with others. We have an intranet in the fire bridge and people sometimes got “hacked” by coworkers posting jokes on their profiles. One time, somebody had written that they were the best guitarist in the world and they wanted to be in a band, so I reached out to everyone who showed interest. Most of them said they were also hacked, but a small group were interested in a band. So now, I have taken my management experience from LIPA, and I am now managing the band!  

We’re playing national events now. Every gig we do, it’s all about raising money for charity, specifically the Firefighters Charity, and we’ve raised thousands! 

What was the best thing about studying in Liverpool? 

I was there during the capital culture years, and it’s very different to south London, which is where I’m from. I loved and admired the spirit of the city. It felt like such a creative and inspiring place. You felt supported. 

Joseph Whitlow (Performing Arts (Music), 2007) 

After you graduated, you worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a sound tech alongside your wife. What was that experience like? 

It was an incredible experience. My wife, Ariana, was a production cast singer, and I worked as a lounge technician. My job was to take care of sound and lighting in all the live music venues around the ship. It gave me an opportunity to work with a huge variety of musicians from all over the world. In our time off work, we could get off the ship and experience whatever port we were in. It's an unforgettable four year period of my life that I would enthusiastically recommend to graduates. 

Since you settled in Canada you’ve changed career. Why did you choose firefighting? 

Ever since I was a teenager I always thought I would be a musician or a firefighter. When it came time to settle down and start a family with Ariana, I decided it would be wise for at least one parent to have a steady paycheck! Since my wife is infinitely more talented than me, I pursued a career with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.  

The aspects of the job that I found appealing were the idea of serving my community, the camaraderie among the workforce and the emphasis on personal fitness. My mum was a nurse, my dad and sister both teachers and my brother a police officer so service to the community obviously runs in the family! 

What's your favourite part about your role as a firefighter? 

The family aspect of the job; my colleagues are more like brothers and sisters. When you rely on each other in life-threatening environments and experience tragedy together on a regular basis you form extremely close bonds. I can't imagine doing anything else.  

You also work with your wife in her corporate entertainment business. What does it mean to you to still have the opportunity to perform?  

It's incredible. I never thought I'd end up with both my dream jobs! Ariana has worked so hard building her business, A-List Entertainment, since we moved to Canada. She not only sings in a wide variety of shows but also directs event entertainment for large scale charity and corporate events. 

I help her with live sound and recording as well as singing, playing guitar or drums as required. We recently sang two duets with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Francis Winspear Concert Hall. As well as the big shows we still perform as an acoustic duo in intimate venues when we get the chance. 

What's your favourite memory of your time at LIPA? 

There are too many to choose from, so I'll give you the highlight reel! In no particular order: singing backing vocals for The Christians who I'd been listening to since I was eight-years-old; meeting Robin Gibb and listening to his masterclass - one of the most humble, down-to-earth superstars ever; meeting and falling in love with my wife Ariana; three am recording sessions with Andy Neve because that was the only slot we could get; taking Ain't Misbehavin' on a UK tour during the Easter break with my whole class; Tool tribute ensemble with Andy, DC, Jostein; the list goes on and on.