Fire services looking for new recruits

Fire services in the North East are staging ‘taster sessions’ for would-be firefighters.

The events – organised by Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Darlington and Northumberland fire and rescue services _ aim to provide an opportunity for anyone interested in a career as a firefighter to discover what the job is really like. The sessions are part of a new recruitment drive that all three services will be launching next month. They consist of a presentation that covers all aspects of the job, the chance to undertake role-related tests and firefighters will be on hand to answer their questions.

Paul Hedley, Chief Fire Officer at NFRS said: "I would encourage as many people as possible to book onto these taster session days and take the opportunity to understand what it's like to be a firefighter.

“It's about much more than fires - we attend schools, youth groups and love getting out into our communities carrying out work to keep people safe. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, Stuart Errington said: “The modern firefighter not only saves lives but they provide a vital role within the community to educate people on how to stay as safe as possible.”

Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer, TWFRS, added: “Afterrecruitingfirefighterslast year,wearekeentoencourage anyonewhowantstoworkfor theircommunity,isphysically fitandenjoysthecamaraderie ofworkinginateam,toapply.”

For details on the taster sessions, go to: www.twfire. gov.uk/firefighter