Firefighters cheer recruitment drive
MACCLESFIELD firefighters are backing the service’s first recruitment campaign after a six-year freeze.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service launched its drive for full time firefighters on Monday (September 12).
It follows years of painful cuts which saw tens of millions axed from the budget and waves of job losses.
Now after plugging gaps with on-call and part-time firefighters, fire chiefs are bolstering their full time contingent.
Phil Marke, watch manager at Macclesfield fire station, said becoming a firefighter was the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
He said: “I’d always wanted to be a firefighter. My family home in Lincolnshire, was very close to the local fire station and I would regularly see the crews going to work and responding to emergencies. I was working hard at college and literally waiting until I hit 18 to submit my application.”
Phil transferred Cheshire in 2003. to
He said: “I love being part of a team and working on the front line of an emergency incident where, with the experience, skills and training we are given, I can really help make a difference to whoever needs our help.
“The camaraderie and close working relationship in a Watch is a great envi- ronment to build confidence and succeed in potentially stressful and dangerous situations.”
Firefighter Matt Lloyd, also based at Macclesfield fire station, joined the fire service after serving nine years in the RAF.
He said: “It offered many things similar to the life I enjoyed in the RAF. I wanted to continue to work within a team of people while helping others and playing a vital role in serving the community. It has been a job that I love as it offers great job satisfaction and security.”
Over the last three months the service visited towns across the county, including Macclesfield and Poynton, to encourage potential applicants for full time positions, with a particular focus on women and people from black and minority ethnic communities.
If you are interested in joining the service you have until September 23 to complete an initial assessment via the website www. cheshirefire.gov.uk.
This initial online assessment will examine the qualities and basic knowledge required for the role. Successful applicants will then go through an interview process and physical assessment.