Date: 8th July, 2019
A ‘have a go’ event is being held at Bradford on Avon fire station next Monday (15 July) for potential new on-call firefighters.
Anyone interested in becoming a firefighter can go along to the fire station – off Station Approach – between 7pm and 9pm.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service needs new on-call recruits to provide fire cover for the town and its surrounding villages. Contracted hours can vary, but on-call personnel usually offer availability of between 40 and 120 hours per week. Between them, each fire station team will provide cover for weekdays, evenings, nights and weekends.
Being on-call means that you are able to respond when your pager goes off. Although you have to be five minutes or so from the fire station, you can still do whatever you would normally be doing, as long as you can make that immediate response.
Employers who allow their staff to be on-call can benefit from a firefighter’s training – such as first aid, manual handling, a greater understanding of health & safety in the workplace, and enhanced team spirit.
Watch Manager Stuart Williams said: “The easiest way to see if being a firefighter is for you is to come along, have a chat with the crew and try your hand at different things. There will be opportunity try on breathing apparatus, climb a ladder and do the national firefighter selection test for carrying equipment.”
He added: “On-call firefighters receive the same training and development as wholetime colleagues, and we can be called to all manner of emergencies, including fires, road traffic collisions, animal rescues and flooding. The pay does vary, depending on how much availability you can offer, but it is fantastically rewarding to be a part of your community and helping people.”
If you are interested in being an on-call firefighter but can’t attend this event, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/bradford-on-avon