North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is today launching a recruitment campaign for Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters  to help protect communities across the region.

We  are looking to recruit RDS firefighters for a number of areas  and are keen to hear from enthusiastic individuals interested in working as part time firefighters at their local station. We are recruiting at:

• Cerrigydrudion
• Llanrwst
• Corwen
• Denbigh
• Ruthin
• St Asaph
• Flint
• Mold
• Blaenau Ffestiniog
• Porthmadog
• Amlwch

Ruth Simmons, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, explained: "RDS firefighters  provide essential fire and emergency cover for their   fire station's area. We are looking for suitable individuals, in particular those available during the day, who can travel to their local fire station within five minutes of being paged for a call out.

"These people might be builders, shopkeepers, nurses, factory workers,  housewives or homeworkers during working hours but we would ask that, in addition, retained firefighters are available to attend emergency incidents as and when required.

"Firefighters are fully trained, highly skilled personnel, saving lives and property from fire. RDS firefighters provide expertise at road, rail and aircraft crashes, chemical spillages, flooding, forest, heathland and mountain fires, agricultural accidents and animal rescues.

"We are looking for both female and male recruits who are enthusiastic and can demonstrate common sense, commitment and dedication. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service provides close-knit, highly trained teams working with modern, hi-tech equipment. Recruits will also take part in the fire prevention work we carry out to prevent fires happening in our community."

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. They must possess a good standard of physical fitness and have the ability to pass aptitude tests. In addition to their monthly retaining fees, payments are made for turnouts, attendance and drill nights.

Many employers are aware of the essential role that retained fire and rescue service personnel carry out within their local communities and many release staff to carry out firefighting and other emergency duties.

Anybody who is interested in a career as a retained firefighter should contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 01745 535250 and ask to speak to their local county safety office. All applications must be received by the 15th of February.

For more details and opportunities for a career as a RDS firefighter in stations across North Wales, please visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk.