Appeal for on-call firefighters

Appeal for on-call firefighters

29 January 2025

A NUMBER of local fire stations are looking for more firefighters.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is calling on those who want to make a real difference in their community to become on-call firefighters.

On-Call firefighters work part-time and carry a pager to alert them to emergencies in their local area.

A recruitment campaign is underway across 43 stations in Northern Ireland, including Ballynahinch, Carryduff, Portaferry, Newcastle and Downpatrick.

NIFRS Western Area Commander David Doherty said: “Our on-call firefighters are the cornerstone of our fire and rescue service.

“They are crucial in how we deliver our service to the community. They provide emergency response to their local communities 24/7, 365 days a year.

“The role of an on-call firefighter is ideal for people who live or work within five minutes of their local fire station. They have a strong sense of community 

and desire to help others, they are physically fit and eager to take on a new challenge.

“No previous experience or training is required to apply, just dedication and a willingness to learn in order to be there when your community needs you most.

He added: “Our on-call firefighters are trained to the highest standards and take part in 12 days of training each year to ensure we have the most highly skilled firefighters to help protect our local communities.

Application forms are available at www.nifrs.org. The closing date for applications is Friday, February 14, at 12 noon.