After tackling recent wildfires and a string of major incidents, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is stepping up its recruitment drive for on-call firefighters.
At present, 46 of the service’s 50 stations are looking for new recruits, with the call going out to anyone who wants to support their community, stay active and take on a rewarding paid role alongside their day job.
On-call firefighters don’t sit in the station waiting for an emergency. Instead, they go about their normal lives – working, studying or looking after family – until their pager sounds. When it does, they respond quickly to their local station and join the crew.
Area Manager Brad Stevens explained:
“We’re always looking for future on-call firefighters. Recruiting more people helps us keep the best availability of crews and equipment across the service. We encourage people from all walks of life to think about it – if you’re after a new challenge, enjoy helping others and like to keep active, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.”
Applicants need to be able to commit a minimum of 40 hours of on-call availability each week, which can be fitted around other work. Proximity is also key – you need to live or work close enough to your nearest fire station to respond quickly.
And for those now working from home, DWFRS raises an interesting question: could you base yourself at a fire station instead, turning your daily routine into a vital community role?
Recruitment runs throughout the year, and on-call firefighters are paid for their service. More details, including first-hand accounts from serving firefighters, can be found at dwfire.org.uk.
