YEOVIL NEWS: Open evening for would-be on-call firefighters

YEOVIL Fire Station is hosting an open evening on Tuesday (June 24, 2014) to provide an opportunity for members of the community to explore the potential of becoming on-call firefighters.

The event will be held at Yeovil Fire Station in Reckleford, Yeovil, from 7pm. People will have the opportunity to meet the crews, watch training sessions and find out just what being an on-call firefighter entails.

The Service is specifically looking for:

* People working in the Yeovil area that can be released by their employer to respond to the station during Monday to Friday.

* People who can give day cover during the week and live within five minutes response to the fire station.

* People with a full driving licence would be preferable.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service can offer 84-hour contracts and no previous experience of fire-fighting is necessary for this role; but the ideal prospective firefighter needs to have a commitment to the community, a positive attitude and a good level of fitness.

A Fire Service spokesman said: “This is an opportunity for men and women who live and/or work within five minutes response time to the fire station to potentially save lives in fire, flood and road traffic emergencies.

“Being on-call means that you provide a level of cover whilst at work or at home and when you are needed your pager will alert you to attend the station. People who can give cover during the day are particularly needed.

“On-Call firefighters come from a variety of backgrounds - they could be self-employed, full time parents, tradespeople, administrators, shopkeepers but they all share a common purpose to give something back to the community.”

You need to be aged over 18 and have a good level of fitness and strength, but sometimes people overestimate the levels required and this can deter them - particularly women - from applying.

The Fire Service will give people advice and help in preparing for both the written and practical assessments.

The application process is on line at the link: http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/workingforus/recruitment/?siteCategoryId=13&T1ID=47

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