Recruitment drive for retained Staffordshire firefighters DESPITE £5m cuts and job losses

A recruitment drive has been launched by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to find 44 on call emergency crew members, amid a public consultation over the controversial cuts which runs until May 22.

A total of nine public consultations have been held after the service announced plans to cut £5.7 million from its budget over the next five years. Current plans would see spending reduced by £1.7 million over the next 12 months. A total of 30 full time firefighter posts are also at risk.

Fire engines could be withdrawn amid major downgrades of fire stations as part of the plans, which the Fire Brigades Union in Staffordshire claims will put lives in Staffordshire at risk.

The service is planning to take on 44 new retained workers despite the fact that the positions of hundreds of existing retained firefighters are currently under review.

In total, eight part-time crew members are being sought at Rising Brook, Brewood, Eccleshall, Gnosall, Penkridge and Codsall.

In the north of the county, 25 part-time crew members are wanted at Newcastle, Burslem, Longnor, Loggerheads, Ipstones, Hanley and Leek.

A further 11 part-time crew members are being sought at Burton, Tutbury, Abbots Bromley, Uttoxeter, Barton-under-Needwood, Lichfield and Chase Terrace.

Retained firefighters must be over 18 and will provide emergency response cover from home or work.

They must be within five minutes' travelling time of their station and will be trained to support full time crew members on emergency incidents.

They will also cover community initiatives, home checks and school visits.

Retained crew members could have a full time job outside of the service and will provide cover overnight or at weekends.

Anyone who applies will need to pass a literacy and numeracy tests, physical tests, an interview and a medical and will have to attend weekly drill nights.

The closing date for applications is April 20.

Damian Armstrong, retained support officer said: "We are looking to recruit enthusiastic and dedicated people, of all ages, who want to give something back to the community that they live or work in. Being a retained firefighter is a highly rewarding role which enables people to develop and utilise their skills and expertise in a really positive way.

"This role is hard work but extremely rewarding so is ideal for anyone who enjoys a challenge and embarks upon life with gusto. If you are a team player and want to be part of a very close knit group of colleagues, this could be the ideal opportunity for you and I would urge you to submit an application."