Date: 10th September, 2018
A ‘have a go’ event is being held at Swindon fire station on Saturday 15 September between 10am and 2pm to encourage local people to become on-call firefighters across Swindon and north Wiltshire.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service needs new on-call recruits to provide fire cover at locations including Swindon, Stratton, Cricklade, Marlborough, Ramsbury and Royal Wootton Bassett.
Contracted hours can vary, but on-call personnel usually make themselves available for between 48 and 120 hours per week. Between them, each fire station team will provide cover for weekdays, evenings, nights and weekends.
On-call support officer Paul Howell 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 to cut up a car, 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 cover you give, but it is fantastically rewarding to be a part of your community and be in a position to help people.”
To be on-call, you will need to be able to respond to the fire station in around five minutes once your pager goes off. This can be from home or work, and employers 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.
If you are interested in being an on-call firefighter but can’t attend this event, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/be-one-of-us for more information.
Alternatively, a team will be in the Wharf Green area of Swindon on Wednesday 12 September between 10am and 2pm to promote the recruitment event. As well as being available to chat about being an on-call firefighter, they will also be offering fire safety advice and accepting requests for Safe & Well visits.