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

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is in urgent need of on-call firefighters, particularly in rural areas where fewer people live and work.

Stations such as Monmouth, which has two fire engines, would ideally have 10 firefighters on call at any one time - allowing five fire fighters per fire engine.

But dwindling numbers have meant that almost all fire stations are experiencing shortages.

To experience a glimpse at what firefighters are expected to do, the Beacon was invited by Monmouth Fire Station Watch Manager Darren Cleaves to come along for a taster session.

As part of weekly training sessions every Tuesday night, firefighters are expected to stay up to speed with their fitness and skills - some of which were tested last Wednesday (20th September).

Part time firefighters can contribute from 42 up to 84 hours per week, which can fit around night shifts and existing commitments, with the only criteria is that potential firefighters can get to a fire station within five minutes..

The On Call Duty System (OCDS) comprises on-call firefighters who live and/or work in the local community of a Retained Fire Station. They are individuals who may already have full or part time employment or may not work (for example, stay at home parents).

The on call firefighter fulfils the same role as the full time firefighter and provides a front line service. The individuals that serve as on call firefighters have a variety of backgrounds and include builders, farmers, administrators and stay at home parents. 

There is currently a shortage of people who will respond for South Wales Fire and Rescue on an ‘on-call basis’, particularly in small towns and rural communities such as Monmouth where there are fewer people who both live and work in the area.

OCDS Firefighters must live or work near an on call fire station and be able

to arrive at the station within five minutes of a call. Some employers are flexible and enable OCDS Firefighters to leave work to attend incidents and training. Self employed individuals who work in the local area are also welcome to apply to become OCDS Firefighters.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is currently short of people to fulfil OCDS Firefighter roles, especially during midweek daytime hours.

Successful applicants, who should be in good physical fitness, will go through six weeks training on station, and a two-week training course.

This training includes manual handling and first aid along with river rescues.

These training courses are paid for by the fire service, as is the necessary equipment.

The service is short of people around the clock, but especially during midweek daytime hours. On call firefighters could on average, will be called out only two or three times a week. Where possible there are more firefighters available than are needed for each call, so it is not necessary to attend each call-out. When you really cannot spare the time for some reason - for example, a holiday or deadline at work, you can ‘sign off’.

Firefighters, both on call and full time, are involved in lots of strands of work, not just firefighting.

You would be expected to go to medical calls, and be involved with community fire safety. This involves talks to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils throughout primary schools, and visit the comprehensive schools as part of the Domino Project, aimed at future young drivers to help prevent car accidents.

For more information, or to get involved, call into Monmouth Fire Station on Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 8.30pm or visit the open evening on Tuesday 24th October at Monmouth Fire Station from 6pm to 9pm.