New Year's resolution - be a Firefighter
Are you fit, need a challenge for 2012 and want to do your bit for your community?
Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service is looking for retained firefighters to work at a brand new station in the north of Gloucester.
Six retained firefighters are needed for the new community fire station currently being built on Cheltenham Road East in Churchdown and opening later this year.
Two drop-in events for potential recruits will take place at between 6.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday 25th January and from 10am until 2pm on Saturday 28th January at the current Gloucester Fire Station on Eastern Avenue in Gloucester.
Retained part-time firefighters combine their day jobs and duties with being 'on call' as a fully qualified firefighter. They are the backbone of the county's fire service with more than 80% of cover provided by them. Retained duty firefighters are 'on call' at home or at work, rather than on duty at a station, and ready to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day.
Successful applicants will need to be aged over 18, live or work within five minutes of their nearest retained fire station and be physically fit. They will receive full training and be able to use the most up-to-date equipment and the new heavy rescue vehicle which could be used if there are major accidents on the A40 or M5, both of which are close-by to the new station.
Chief Fire Officer, Jon Hall said: "Retained firefighters come from all walks of life and we welcome enquiries from all sections of the community. The successful applicants will be paid a monthly retainer fee plus additional for call outs. It's also a chance to become a crucial member of a highly trained and tight-knit team."
Retained firefighters help save lives by attending emergencies, including fighting fires, chemical spills, road traffic accidents and animal rescues. They are also trained in specialist skills such as cliff and water rescue and breathing apparatus support and can be called upon to provide these skills at major incidents anywhere in the county.
Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: "Being a retained firefighter is one of the most exciting and rewarding jobs you can do and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service couldn't operate without their dedication and commitment.
It's such a valuable service to provide to your local community and I would encourage people to apply if they feel it's a commitment they could make."
Information leaflets and posters will be distributed to all households and businesses within the 5 minute response time area, in the next week.
Further recruitment events have been arranged at Dursley and Chipping Campden fire stations between 6.30pm and 9pm on Thursday 26th January 2012.
The Gloucester North station is due to open in April 2012.
You can follow Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service on www.facebook.com/glosfire or www.twitter.com/glosfire You can also follow our Chief Fire Officer on www.twitter.com/glosfirechief
Issued by:Nicola Davies, Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 427432, email: nicola.davies@gloucestershire.gov.uk
4th January 2012