WHAT IS THE RETAINED FIRE SERVICE?

It is a group of men and women who support their community by becoming firefighters, usually employed in other occupations or self-employed.

When an emergency occurs, they help their local community, friends and neighbours and get paid for doing it.

They are ready to go to any emergency at a moment's notice:-

• Fires
• Floods
• Road traffic collisions
• Chemical incidents
• Rescues

As you can see, firefighters deal with many incidents other than fires and may also be called upon to deliver Community Safety advice and guidance to the public, highlighting the hazards and risk of fire.

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE ARE RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS?

They might be builders, shop assistants, farmers, plumbers, typists, factory workers, managers or parents at home. Regardless of the job they do, they are:-

• Self reliant
• Confident
• Ready for anything
• Respected by the community

COULD YOU BE A FIREFIGHTER? - YES, YOU COULD!

• The minimum age is 18.
• We recruit men and women from the local community
• You need to live/work within a specified radius of a fire station, as you need to be able to get to the fire station within 4 minutes of a call.
• Enthusiasm
• Sense of humour

* specified radius = usually 4 minutes travelling time from receipt of call to the nearest station. However, this is subject to interpretation by the individual fire station and is dependent on the position of the fire station within the community - the road conditions for example are a factor.

N.B. Employees - you will require your employers consent to perform Fire & Rescue Service duties, whether or not you intend to provide cover during work time.