Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's RDS (Retained Duty System) recruitment campaign challenges you to Realise your potential, Do something worthwhile and Support your community.
14 January 2009
Do you have what it takes to combine your working and home life with being a firefighter in Amersham or Chesham?
That’s the question Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is asking as it launches a recruitment drive for Retained Duty System firefighters at the two stations.
Mick Martin, Area Manager Response, said: “Retained Duty System firefighters are a vital part of today’s fire and rescue service. They provide an efficient, cost-effective service that gives emergency cover to more than 90 per cent of the UK.
“In Buckinghamshire, part-time firefighters mainly provide cover in rural areas, but there are units located in the busier urban areas to provide fire cover alongside wholetime colleagues.
“Chesham is a standalone unit, while Amersham’s unit complements the existing wholetime crew.
“We are hoping that people who haven’t previously considered applying will stop and ask themselves whether they can, in fact, provide cover at critical times of the day or night.”
RDS firefighters are paid staff who do the same job as full-time firefighters. Many of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s 217 RDS firefighters combine this work with their day job.
Like their full-time colleagues, they are trained and equipped to deal with a wide range of incidents and situations. These include fires, road traffic collisions and protecting the community through fire safety work.
The difference is that RDS staff are not based in a fire station – instead, they are on standby waiting to be called out. They may be at home, working for themselves or working for a company that allows them to leave work to attend an emergency call.
Their on-call time can be a combination of daytime, evening and weekend hours. They are paid for being on call and called out, and are entitled to paid holidays, sick pay and membership of a pension scheme.
There are benefits for employers who release staff to be RDS firefighters too. The employee will be professionally trained to deal with emergencies, and an RDS firefighter on the staff could help save lives and property in the event of an emergency. Staff can also be trained for further qualifications such as health and safety and first aid, which could help the business as well.
To be a Retained Duty System firefighter you need to be at least 18 years old, physically fit and live and/or work close to the fire station. Just as important are qualities like common sense, commitment, enthusiasm and the ability to work as a member of a team.
If you would like to find out more about working as an RDS firefighter in Amersham or Chesham, or if you are an employer interested in allowing your employees to participate, ring the information pack hotline on 01296 744670, email rdsrecruitment@bucksfire.gov.uk or click here for an information pack and application form.
The closing date for completed applications is 2 February 2009.