Staffordshire Fire Service launches recruitment drive for part-timers

The service is looking for more retained crew members for stations in the west of the county.

Stations at Rising Brook, Brewood, Eccleshall, Gnosall, Penkridge, Codsall, Cannock, Wombourne, Kinver and Rugeley are all looking for new staff to join.

Retained firefighters can be called upon to tackle a range of incidents including fires, floods, road traffic collisions and chemical spills. They can also get involved in community fire safety initiatives in their local area, including free home fire risk checks and school visits.

Retained support officer, Gary Fox said: "Retained firefighters are an integral part of the service and undertake the same training as full-time firefighters.

"Retained firefighting is a great option for those wishing to put something back into the community whilst also supplementing their current income. More and more local employers are now willing to release employees from their duties to attend emergency incidents."

Part-time firefighters provide emergency response cover from either their home or work base, which needs to be within five minutes of the fire station.

After completing a training course, retained firefighters attend weekly drill nights to maintain their skills.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and many have a full-time job outside of the service. Some have an agreement with their employer that they can leave work if they are alerted to an incident, while others provide cover to fit around their hours of primary employment.

Anyone who is interested in applying must complete an application form, pass written literacy and numeracy tests, physical tests, an interview and a medical.

People should also check the travel time from their base to the station using a route planner to ensure they are within the turnout area.

The recruitment drive comes on the the back of recent investment in the service.

Last year the £2 million new Bilbrook and Codsall Community Fire Station was unveiled in Duck Lane. The station replaced the old base built in 1971 and was the seventh to have a major upgrade in Staffordshire, with Chase Terrace, Rugeley and Stone also being spruced up.

To find out more contact retained support officers Gary Fox on 07528 983190/01785 898702 or email gary.fox@staffordshirefire.gov.uk or Damian Armstrong on 07794213478/01785 898723 or email damian.armstrong@staffordshriefire.go.uk

The closing date is March 4 and people can apply online at www.wmjobs.co.uk