Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 05/08/2004 15:48

Cornwall County Fire Brigade is currently recruiting for retained firefighters to help protect their community.

Stations recruiting include: Penzance, Camborne, Redruth, Perranporth, Mullion, Helston, Truro, Mevagissey, Newquay, St Columb, Padstow, Fowey, Polruan, Lostwithiel, Delabole, Bude, Launceston, Liskeard and Callington.

The stations are interested in anyone who would like to consider becoming a retained firefighter. To be a retained firefighter you need to be physically fit. You should also be at least 18 years old and live /work close to the fire station.

“Retained firefighters are paid volunteers who do the same job as full-time firefighters. The difference is that they are not based on a fire station waiting for an alarm, they are on standby waiting to be called out” said Public Relations Officer Davinia Grist

She cont: “They may be at home, working for themselves or for a company that is committed to helping the community. On average they may be called out two or three times a week for a couple of hours. Employers will benefit from having employees who are professionally trained to deal with emergencies and provide first aid”
Retained firefighters, like their full-time colleagues, are trained to deal with a wide range of situations and incidents. These include fires, road traffic accidents, dealing with hazardous materials and floods, and protecting the community through fire safety work.

Other training includes Large Goods Vehicle Driving (LGV), Emergency Fire Appliance Driving (EFADS), First Aid and Co-responder training.

Retained firefighters are paid a basic annual payment (a retainer) and fees for emergency response, fees for training sessions and for duties like equipment maintenance.

Davinia Grist added: “We hope that anyone interested in becoming a retained firefighter will contact our recruitment line and arrange to visit their nearest station to find out more. They can arrange to visit the station to sample some of the physical fitness and practical tests that all potential recruits must undertake. Those interested should ring 01872 323758 for more information”