Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is launching a new recruitment drive to find additional on-call firefighters to serve their communities.
On-call firefighters are needed to join crews at 32 fire stations across the county.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is recruiting on-call firefighters needed at the following stations:
West – Workington, Whitehaven, Aspatria, Cockermouth, Egremont, Maryport, Seacale, Silloth and Wigton.
South – Barrow, Bootle, Broughton, Coniston, Millom, Ulverston, Walney, Kendal, Ambleside, Appleby, Arnside, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Milnthorpe, Sedbergh, Shap, Staveley and Windermere.
East – Alston, Brampton, Lazonby, Longtown and Patterdale
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is looking for men and women from all walks of life and all ages who can work as part of a team and are prepared to commit to the role. Qualifications aren’t necessary, applicants must be at least 18 when their contract starts and be physically and medically fit.
On-call or retained firefighters are ‘on call’ to respond to a range of emergencies. They can still have another job until the call comes, then they become a professional firefighter. Call-out rates and workloads vary across the stations.
To apply people will need to complete an application form, carry out nationally recognised fitness and practical tests, and complete an interview and medical check.
Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer, Steve Healey said: “On-call firefighters play a crucial role in our communities and are called upon to attend the full range of incidents, from fires and floods, to road traffic collisions and chemical spills. I would urge people living and working in the areas where we’re recruiting to consider applying to become part of the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service team.”
Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue, said: “On-call Firefighters are an integral part of our service and community. We are keen to encourage anyone who thinks they may have the right skills to find out what they can offer – and in return, what we can offer you.”
On-call Firefighters come from every walk of life, including homemakers, shopkeepers, builders, farmers, office workers and directors of companies, together with people who are not currently employed. Full training is provided on an ongoing basis, therefore previous experience is not needed.
An on-call Firefighter could be called out two or three times a week, for a few hours at a time but at some quieter fire stations they may only be called once or twice each month. The on-call hours are based around people’s availability and other commitments.
To be an On-call Firefighter, you must:
- Have a strong desire to support the local community.
- Be enthusiastic about working as part of a team.
- Have a reasonable level of personal fitness.
- Live or/and work within 5 minutes of your local fire station.
Cumbria currently has approx. 370 on call firefighters based all over the county.
For more information, visit cumbria.gov.uk/oncallfirefighters
