Full-time fire crews sought by service

THE fire service has opened recruitment for full-time firefighters at a number of stations across the county.

The role is described as perfect for anyone passionate about making their community safer.

Callum Faint, chief fire and rescue officer for the service, said: “This is an exciting and rewarding career with the opportunity to make a real difference to your community.

“Here at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, we pride ourselves on delivering our service purpose statement of ‘safer people, safer places’, and this role is at the heart of that message.

“You will respond to incidents but you will also take part in prevention and protection work.”

The recruitment website for applications for vacancies closes at midnight on Sunday, December 6.

There are various physical requirements for people hoping to become firefighters. Applicants also need to be living in Leicestershire or Rutland, be at least 18 and eligible to work in the UK.

People applying should have the equivalent of a C grade in GCSE English and maths and there is also a memory test as part of the qualification process.

Some of examples of other tasks listed on the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service website include: Rescues from water and height; Animal rescue; Road traffic collisions; Home fire safety checks; School visits; Threats of terrorism; Hazardous material spills; Gaining entry to properties; Dramatic picture shows fire destroying a charity’s van on a Leicester street.

Mr Faint said the ongoing pandemic made it more important than ever to ensure there were plenty of serving firefighters.