NIFRS Launch Major Recruitment Drive

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has launched a major recruitment drive for Retained (part-time) Firefighters in 37 Fire Stations across Northern Ireland and is encouraging more females and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to apply.

NIFRS wants to recruit people who live and work within a 5 minute radius of their local Fire Station to become Retained Firefighters and help protect their local community. Retained Firefighters respond to emergency incidents including fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist service calls such as chemical spills, collapsed buildings and other types of rescues. They also play a crucial role in providing safety advice and assistance in their local community.

Chris Kerr, Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said: "Simply put, NIFRS could not operate without our Retained Firefighters as they provide the emergency fire & rescue services to the communities in which they live and work.

"Retained Firefighters make up over half the total number of Firefighters in Northern Ireland and in this recruitment campaign we are encouraging more females and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider this as a viable career option. We currently have 21 Retained Female Firefighters and Retained Firefighters from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds and we are keen to see more females and ethnic minority groups applying.

"It is an extremely rewarding and interesting job and Retained Firefighters must be able to quickly respond to emergency call outs by making their way to their local Fire Station within 5 minutes, where they will meet the rest of their crew.

"Local employers have an equally important role to play in the success of the Retained Firefighter system by allowing their employees to become Retained Firefighters. Hundreds of local employers across Northern Ireland employ Retained Firefighters, benefiting by having someone on site professionally trained to respond to a range of emergency incidents and who can advise on fire safety in their own business. NIFRS greatly appreciates the support of local employers in helping provide the best possible fire and rescue service."

(CD)