First recruitment drive in five years begins for fire service

RECRUITMENT to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is now open.

For the first time in five years full-time crew are being added to the county contingent.

In the run-up to the recruitment drive, stations across Leicestershire have held taster sessions offering people the chance to take part in real-life exercises and get to grips with the sort of work a firefighter does every day.

A video was also produced to inspire people to consider a career with the fire service.

Service chiefs are particularly hoping for applications from less represented sections of the community including women and ethnic minorities.

Recruitment is only open for a week for the 25 full-time positions available.

A fire service spokes- man said: “The application process officially opened on Monday April 10 and will close on Monday April 17 at 9am.

“Although we expect huge demand for the 25 positions available, there is no need to rush to register or submit applications on the first day.

“We will not be work- ing on a first come, first served basis and we will not be putting a cap on the number of applications we receive.

“This means that everyone who submits an application, whether it is on the first day or last, will have an equal chance of being shortlisted.

“This being said, we are advising people not to leave submitting their application until the very end of the submission period as this is a Bank Holiday and there will be no online or telephone support available during this period.

“We will, however, try to supply all supporting documents on the website for people to view and/or download at their own leisure.”

Those successful will take up their new roles from September.

There is no detail yet as to where in the county the new recruits will be stationed.

Steve Lunn, chief fire and rescue officer, said: “This is a real opportunity for members of our local communities looking for a new job or even a change in their career.

“We hope to be in a position by late September to welcome a new intake of 25 firefighters of the highest calibre, hope- fully better representative of our diverse local communities.

“We wish everyone the best of luck throughout the recruitment process.

“I’m sure everyone in the service will look forward to welcoming the first set of whole-time firefighters we’ve had in five years into the service to join our family.”

■ For more information on the recruitment campaign and to apply for a whole-time firefighter position, visit www. leicestershire-fire.gov. uk/recruitment and follow the steps taking you through to the recruitment portal.