10
April
2014
|
13:01
Europe/London

Firefighters to visit every Goring household during recruitment drive

The Icknield Road station is run by on-call firefighters, who have main daytime jobs but are available to attend emergencies in the day if they work locally or at night if living nearby.

Presently 11 on-call firefighters are employed at the station, some of who work extra shifts to maintain appropriate cover levels. A further six staff are required.

Cover is mainly needed during the day, and perspective on-call staff may be asked to work evenings and weekends if they live in the village.

Over the next two months local firefighters will be speaking to residents and businesses explaining the benefits of the skills that trained firefighters learn.

An integral part of the community

Marcus Reay, Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service's Commander for Goring Fire Station, said: "We see ourselves at Goring Fire Station as an integral part of the community and we want to engage with locals who may think that a career as an on-call firefighter could be for them.

"This recruitment campaign is about ensuring that everyone in the village is aware of the need for more firefighters locally and to make sure that each household is visited to see if people can help or if they know someone who could.

"On-call firefighters learn valuable skills, such as keeping calm under pressure and being first aid trained to a high standard as well as obtaining health and safety knowledge, so they can be valuable assets to local employers."

Assessments

Candidates wanting to become on-call firefighters must be over 17 years and ten months old and have a reasonable level of fitness. They must pass a series of mental and physical exams, which will test basic numeracy aptitude, problem solving skills, strength, fitness and ability to work in the dark; at heights and in confined places.

Those who pass the assessments will also need to be available to attend drills at the fire station at least once a week.

Residents interested in finding out more about becoming an on-call firefighter can call 0800 587 0870.