Royal Wootton Bassett fire station is hosting a charity car wash and on-call firefighter recruitment event this Saturday (2 March).
Between 10am and 2pm, the crew will be washing cars to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
During the same times, there will also be the opportunity for anyone interested in being an on-call firefighter to ‘have a go’ and find out more.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service needs new on-call recruits to provide fire cover for the community in and around Royal Wootton Bassett, especially during the evenings and at weekends. Contracted hours can vary, but on-call personnel usually make themselves available for between 48 and 120 hours per week.
Temporary Watch Manager Tom McInerney said: “The easiest way to see if being a firefighter is for you is to come along, have a chat and try your hand at different things. There will be an opportunity to try on breathing apparatus, tour the station and meet our crew.”
He added: “On-call firefighters receive the same training and development as wholetime colleagues, and we can be called to all manner of emergencies, including fires, road traffic collisions, animal rescues and flooding. The pay does vary, depending on how much cover you give, but it is fantastically rewarding to be a part of your community and to be in a position to help people.”
To be on-call in Royal Wootton Bassett, you will need to be able to respond to the fire station in Station Road in around five minutes once your pager goes off. This can be from home or work, and employers can benefit from a firefighter’s training – such as first aid, manual handling, a greater understanding of health & safety in the workplace, and enhanced team spirit.
If you are interested in being an on-call firefighter but can’t make it to the fire station on 2 March, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/on-call-firefighters