Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 08/11/2011 14:18

Calling florists, dentists, builders, housewives – in fact anyone who is willing to put something back into their community whilst learning different skills as they embark on a second career in the fire service.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are keen to hear from people who are interested in becoming on-call firefighters. CFRS has over 400 on-call firefighters who are on stand by and ready to respond to fire, road traffic collisions, flooding or any other emergency situations.

CFRS are always keen to receive applications from people all over Cornwall who are able to respond to emergencies, especially during the day, and is currently particularly interested in receiving applications from people in

· Camborne

· Fowey

· Launceston

· Liskeard

· Looe

· Lostwithiel

· Polruan

· Torpoint

CFRS area manager Derek Walker said: “Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s on-call firefighters are ordinary people who live or work in the community and who come from every walk of life. The thing they have in common is that they have made the decision to put something back into their community and become a trained firefighter.

As well as the huge amount of training they will receive to become a firefighter, they will also have the chance to attend first aid courses and LGV driving courses.

We can provide the station, appliances, equipment and training but the firefighters themselves have to come forward from the community.”

Stuart Parker became on call firefighter based at Bodmin Community Fire Station in June 2011 and says: “It’s brilliant… it is honestly one of the best things I have ever done. When my usual job changed my shift pattern, it gave me the perfect chance to fulfil my dream to become a firefighter. The training course was intense but the trainers are more than qualified and taught us what we need to know. Nowadays being a firefighter is all I want to do. CFRS has done so much for me and I just want to give something back.”

Derek adds: “Many people believe that the physical strength and fitness required to be a firefighter is greater than it actually is. You do not need any formal qualifications or previous training to become a firefighter as we use the National Firefighter Selection tests to assess applicants’ suitability.

We really want to hear from you if you can provide 24/7 cover and/or you can provide daytime cover between 7am and 7pm.”

To become an on-call firefighter you must be at least 17 years and 6 months old (as you must turn 18 years old before starting employment as a firefighter), be physically fit and live and/or work very close to your Community Fire Station (you need to get to the station within 4 minutes of an alerter-call).

If you are interested, you can:

· Visit our website www.cornwall.gov.uk/firerecruitment;

· Call our Human Resources team on 01872 323500; or

· Drop in to your local Community Fire Station on their drill night (please call Human Resources on the number above to find out the drill day and time of your local station).

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7389