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 at a number of areas and are keen to hear from enthusiastic individuals interested in working as part time firefighters at their local station.

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 or six minutes of being
paged for a call out.

"These people may have other roles such as 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 accidents, 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."

Open evenings for potential firefighters are being held at the following stations across the region, between6.30pm - 9.00pmon the following dates;

Open Evenings

Corwen Fire Station, Monday 28^th July

Ruthin Fire Station, Tuesday 29^th July

Llangefni Fire Station, Wednesday 30^th July

Porthmadog Fire Station, Thursday 31^st July

Mold Fire Station, Monday 4^th August

Chirk Fire Station, Tuesday 5^th August

Beaumaris Fire Station, Wednesday 6^th August

Aberdyfi Fire Station, Thursday 7^th August

Llanfairfechan Fire Station, Monday 11^th August

Harlech Fire Station, Tuesday 12^th August

Betws Y Coed Fire Station, Wednesday 13^th August

Cerrigydrudion Fire Station, Thursday 14^th August

Abergele Fire Station, Monday, 18^th August

Abersoch Fire Station, Tuesday, 19^th August

Llanberis Fire Station , Wednesday, 20^th August

Barmouth Fire Station, Thursday, 21^st August

If you are interested in attending one of the open evenings or finding out more about a career as a retained firefighter please contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 01745 535250 or RDSrecruitment@nwales-fireservice.org.uk.

All applications must be received by 27^thAugust  2014.

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.

Please click here for more information on the role of retained firefighters.