Scramble to apply for 60 new West Midlands firefighter jobs
Budding firefighters are being urged to apply for 60 new posts after a major recruitment drive began this week.
West Midlands Fire Service is bracing itself for an avalanche of applicants seeking to fill the vacant jobs.
They are largely replacements for firefighters who have recently retired or are coming up to retirement age.
And its most senior female office is urging women and members of minority communities to put their name into the hat.
Area commander Sarah Warnes said: "We're expecting thousands of people to apply for these much sought-after firefighter posts.
"The process is open to men and women, but we're actively encouraging applications from female candidates and members of the West Midlands' minority communities.
"We're proud of the services we offer to help make the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier, and want to ensure that our workforce is truly representative of the many different communities we serve.
"There are few other careers that provide such day-to-day variety and longer-term development opportunities. We're really looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues."
More than 3,600 people applied for 50 firefighter jobs when the service last recruited in January 2015.
But this time round, the jobs will be given only to candidates living in the West Midlands area in a bid to boost the local economy.
In previous recruitment drives, applications have come from across the globe.
Before last year's recruitment drive, the service had lost 275 firefighters in the previous four years as a result of £22 million cuts in government funding.
Applications opened on Monday and will close on October 17 at 12noon.
Candidates must be at least 17-and-a-half at the time they apply and will have two weeks to sign up. And, for the first time, applicants should have at least GCSE grade C, or its equivalent, in Maths and English.
Councillor John Edwards, Chair of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "I am very pleased that we are at the point where can restart recruitment for firefighters to work for West Midlands Fire Service.
"This is a great opportunity for us to ensure that the people we employ reflect the diverse communities we serve. Applications are encouraged from females and from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities who are looking for a great career in a great service."
Practical tests for those who are successful at the online stage will be in early November. Interviews for those who pass the practicals will be held in December.
