Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 13/07/2007 16:46

Camborne Fire Station is currently recruiting for retained firefighters.
Station Officer Stewart Whitworth is interested in anyone who would like to consider becoming a retained firefighter:
“We are holding an open evening at 7pm on 19 July at the fire station. Anyone thinking about becoming a retained firefighter is invited to come along and find out more about what it entails”

To be a retained firefighter you need to be physically fit. You should also be at least 18 years old and live and / or 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.

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) and First Aid 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.

Stewart added: ““Men and women from any background can train to become a retained firefighter. If you are interested please come along on Thursday 19 July to find out more. You will be able to sample some of the physical fitness and practical tests that all potential recruits must undertake – so wear appropriate clothing”

Anyone interested should ring 01209 712316 for more information.