21 January 2010

Do you have what it takes to combine your working and home life with being a firefighter in Brill, Haddenham or Waddesdon?

That’s the question Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is asking as it launches a recruitment drive for Retained Duty System firefighters at three of the six fire stations in Aylesbury Vale.

Denis O’Driscoll, Area Manager Response, said: “Retained Duty System firefighters, who are sometimes called on-call or standby 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 and Milton Keynes, part-time firefighters mainly provide cover in rural areas, but there are also units located in the busier urban areas to provide fire cover alongside wholetime colleagues.

“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 214 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.

When they are on call, they must be able to reach the fire station safely within five minutes.

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.