Need more? Become an on-call firefighter!

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is working with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) as part of a national campaign encouraging people to become on-call firefighters.

The “Need More” awareness week runs from 7th January and aims to highlight opportunities available in the fire and rescue service, while busting myths about what it takes to be a firefighter. The campaign is supported by a national website – www.oncallfire.uk – which encourages people to get in touch with their local fire and rescue service, in January or anytime throughout the year.  

 An on-call firefighter is someone who responds to a range of fire and rescue service jobs; these range from emergency calls, working at open days, carrying out work with their local communities and acting as an ambassador for the fire service.  

On-call firefighters come from every walk of life, including homemakers, shopkeepers, builders, farmers, office workers and directors of companies, together with people who are not currently employed.  

 Full training is provided on an ongoing basis, therefore previous experience is not needed. An on-call firefighter could be called out two or three times a week, for a few hours at a time. The on-call hours are based around people’s availability and other commitments.

 To be an on-call firefighter, you must:

· Have a strong desire to support the local community.  

· Be enthusiastic about working as part of a team.  

· Have a reasonable level of personal fitness.  

· Live or/and work within five minutes of your local fire station.  

Group manager Andy Cole said, “On-call firefighters are an integral part of our service and community. We are keen to encourage anyone with the right skills to find out about what they can offer us – and in return, what we can offer you.”

For more information about becoming a firefighter please visit www.oncallfire.co.uk – the website also gives advice to employers about how having on-call firefighters within their business can bring advantages. These include health and safety and medical response training, as well as developing situational awareness, leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure.  

Alternatively, check your local fire station’s Facebook page for recruitment event details.