Bucks fire service want to recruit on-call firefighters - have you got what it takes?

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is working with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) as part of a national campaign encouraging people to become On-Call firefighters.
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An On-Call firefighter is someone who responds to a range of fire and rescue service roles; these range from emergency calls, working at open days, carrying out work with their local communities and acting as an ambassador for the fire service.

A "Need More" awareness week is running from Monday 2 March 2020 and will highlight opportunities available in the fire service while busting myths about what it takes to be a firefighter.

The campaign is supported by a national website - www.oncallfire.uk - which encourages people to get in touch with their local fire service at anytime of the year.

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Currently in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes the fire service is looking for people to come and work in On-Call roles at:

- Princes Risborough

- Brill

- Amersham

- Buckingham

- Olney

More details are available here, along with the opportunity to book onto one of two scheduled On-Call awareness evenings taking place on Thursday 26 March (Buckingham) and Saturday March (Princes Risborough).

On-Call firefighters come from every walk of life, including homemakers, shopkeepers, builders, farmers, office workers and directors of companies, together with people who are not currently employed.

Full training is provided on an ongoing basis, therefore previous experience is not needed.

An On-Call firefighter could be called out two or three times a week, for a few hours at a time.

The hours are based around people’s availability and other commitments.

To be an On-Call firefighter, you must:

- Have a strong desire to support the local community

- Be enthusiastic about working as part of a team

- Have a reasonable level of personal fitness

- Be within the postcode catchment area

Pete Skinner, Station Commander On-Call South, said: "On-Call firefighters are an integral part of our service and community.

“If you have the right skills, and live or work in Buckinghamshire or Milton Keynes, then why not visit our special On-Call area to find out more about the role, and the awareness evenings we are running later this month.”

If you live or work outside of Buckinghamshire or Milton Keynes and are interested in finding out about On-Call opportunities in your local area, please go to www.oncallfire.uk. This website also gives advice to employers and how having On-Call firefighters within their business can bring advantages. These include health and safety and medical response training, as well as developing situational awareness, leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure.