More firefighters needed in district

More firefighters needed in district

6 February 2013

A NUMBER of local fire stations feature in a major recruitment drive being spearheaded by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

The organisation is seeking part-time firefighters for a total of 37 stations across the Province and is encouraging women and those from ethnic backgrounds to apply for the positions.

Locally, the Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting retained firefighters for its stations in Ballynahinch, Newcastle, Portaferry and Carryduff and has explained those interested in applying should live and work within five minutes of the respective bases.

Retained firefighters respond to emergency incidents including fires, road accidents and other specialist service calls such as chemical spills, collapsed buildings and other types of rescues.

They also play a crucial role in providing safety advice and assistance in their local community.

Mr. John Allen, the Fire and Rescue Service’s southern area commander, said the organisation could not operate without its retained firefighters who provide the emergency fire and rescue services to the communities in which they live and work.

He continued: “Retained firefighters make up over half the total number of firefighters in Northern Ireland and in this recruitment campaign we are encouraging more females and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider this as a viable career option.

“We currently have 21 retained female firefighters and retained firefighters from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds and are keen to see more females and ethnic minority groups applying.”

Mr. Allen said the job is extremely rewarding and interesting, explaining

retained firefighters must be able to quickly respond to emergency call outs by making their way to their local station within five minutes where they will meet the rest of their crew. He said local employers have an equally important role to play by allowing their employees to become retained firefighters.

The fire chief said hundreds of employers across Northern Ireland employ retained firefighters and benefit by having someone on site professionally trained to respond to a range of emergency incidents and who can advise on fire safety in their own business. Mr. Allen said the Fire and Rescue Service greatly appreciates the support of local employers.

“Retained firefighters are paid an attractive monthly retaining fee, plus drill night attendance, emergency call out fees, as well as annual holiday leave,” he explained.

The information event in Newcastle is being held on Monday, February 18, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm and on Saturday, February 23, between 10am and 2pm. Ballynahinch Fire Station is hosting events on Tuesday, February 12, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm and on Saturday, February 23, between 10am and noon.

In Carryduff, the sessions are being held on Wednesday, February 20, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm and on Saturday, March 2, between 10am and 2pm.

Details of the recruitment process and application forms can be downloaded by logging on at www.nifrs.org or contact the Fire and Rescue Service’s southern area headquarters, telephone (028) 3833 2222. The closing date for applications is Friday. March 8 at 3pm.