Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's plea to business community

Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has asked businesses to help their communities by considering releasing their staff to become retained firefighters.

The request comes as part of the service's biggest recruitment drive yet.

Retained firefighters are an integral part of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Although not based at fire-stations, they usually live or work in their local community and carry a pager, so when they get the call, they are ready to respond to any emergency.

Currently, there are over 100 retained firefighters in Warwickshire, responding to the call to keep our communities safe. However, many more are needed, to provide cover at our retained stations during the day, nights and weekends.

Businesses and their workforces are protected 24-hours a day by the Fire and Rescue Service. So this is a great chance for the business community to give something back.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Risk Response Commander, Keith McDermott said: “Retained firefighters play a vital role in keeping communities safer. At present we really need more people to come forward to provide cover in the day time, especially in more rural areas of the county.

“By launching the new campaign, we are hoping to encourage more local businesses to sign up to support their local community by considering releasing their staff to become retained firefighters.

“We are looking to recruit people from all walks of life. No previous experience is needed, but common sense, self-motivation, compassion and the ability to work as part of a team is essential. You must also live or work within five minutes travel time of your nearest fire station and be over 18.

“The job is challenging, but it is also one of the most rewarding careers you will ever have.”

Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Councillor John Horner, said: “Retained firefighters play a crucial role within our communities. Not only do they provide an operational response across the county, but they are an integral part of the local communities they serve.

“If you are considering becoming a retained firefighter or if you are a local business thinking about releasing staff, then there is no better time to step forward and find out what it would mean for you and your business.”

If you are up for the challenge and want to be extraordinary, then log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/beextraordinary  alternatively, call our retained recruitment team on 01926 852223 for an initial chat.