Essential requirements What is involved? What can I gain from being an RDS? Videos Priority stations

Do you live or work within five minutes of your local fire station?

Would you like to be a retained firefighter and:

Serve your community? Be part of a team? Learn new skills? Do something different today? Earn between £5,500 and £11,000* *Average earnings for 2006/07 £7,609. Earnings of between £5,500 and £11,000 per year dependant on station.

We receive on average around 100-120 applications per year for RDS. With resources and time we can train a maximum of 40 per year.

• Be able to reach the station within 5 minutes
• Aged 18+
• Fit enough to carry out the role of a Firefighter
• Have enthusiasm to work in a team environment
• Willing to support and serve the community

Our selection process then considers our fire stations that are in need of RDS to ensure cover at all times. These are known as priority stations and applicants applying for these particular stations will be prioritised.

Priority stations do change from month to month depending on existing employees and changes in circumstances. If an applicant is unsuccessful with their application due to no vacancies we keep information on file until the next recruitment process.

We need at least 4 Firefighters to keep the fire appliance available to respond to one emergency call, we also realise that everyone needs to balance their working life with their private life and that means being able to enjoy some quality time off.

Currently there are 2 types of cover option:

• full cover which is a commitment of 120+ hours per week to be available to respond
• ¾ cover which is anything less than 120 hours

There is also a requirement to attend a weekly drill night for 2-3 hours at your local fire station for training and maintenance of essential equipment. When on call, and alerted by your pager you will need to stop whatever it is you are doing and report immediately to the fire station.

Firefighting is not like any other job, it can be unpredicatable, exciting, rewarding coupled with the satisfaction and respect that comes with providing a crucial service to the community. You will learn new skills such as first aid, road traffic collision procedures and fire safety.

You will receive an annual retaining fee (paid monthly) disturbance fees and hourly rates fro work undertaken, training session fees and reimbursement for 4 weeks annual leave (5 weeks when completed 5 years service). Depending on the station you are based at you can receive between £5,000 to £9,000 per annum.

Video: 'Behind the scenes at Clun fire station'
2 minutes 21 seconds | Opens link to BBC in new window

Video: 'Clun retained firefighter diary'
1 minute 35 seconds | Opens link to BBC in new window

The above video links are courtesy of BBC Shropshire TV

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Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting retained firefighters at all of its retained stations, however, current priority stations are:

• Albrighton
• Craven Arms
• Hodnet
• Much Wenlock
• Prees

If you think you can help please contact 01743 260 223 or 01743 260 212

Alternatively you can go along to Hodnet, Craven Arms or Much Wenlock fire stations on a Tuesday evening between 19.00 - 21.00 or Albrighton fire station on a Wednesday evening between 19.00 - 21.00.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to equality and diversity at work. We positively welcome applications from disabled people and under represented groups. For the health and safety of our employees, we operate a no smoking policy