North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is extending the deadline for its recruitment campaign to attract Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters to Monday 6^th October^, 2014.

Ruth Simmons, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, explained: "We have had an extremely positive response to our campaign so far and extending the deadline will not impact on the current status of the applications already received.

"But we are keen to encourage more applications from across the region - and in particular for specific fire stations for which we have received a low number of applications. These are Betws y Coed, Corwen, Denbigh, Tywyn, Chirk, Llangefni and Aberdyfi.

"We are also particularly interested to hear from individuals in the areas of
Dolgellau, St Asaph, Rhosneigr and Llangollen.

"In addition, we will be hosting two 'positive action' events, one at Rhyl and one
at Dolgellau, to encourage more women to apply for the role of RDS firefighter
- we have a duty to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve and
to improve under-represented groups at all levels to better understand the
needs and expectations of our communities.

"We therefore remain keen to hear from enthusiastic people interested in
working as part time firefighters at their local fire station to provide
essential fire and emergency cover in their local area.

"We are looking for candidates in particular who are 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, stay at home parents 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 on the following dates;

Open Evenings  6.30pm-9.30pm

Corwen Fire Station, Monday 22^nd September (also open to those in
the Chirk and Llangollen areas)

Betws y Coed Fire Station, Tuesday 23^rd September

Rhosneigr Fire Station, Wednesday 24th September (also open to those in the Llangefn iarea)

Denbigh Fire Station, Tuesday 30^th September (also open to those in
the St Asaph area)

Dolgellau Fire Station, Thursday 2^nd October (also open to those in the Tywyn
and Aberdyfi areas)

Positive Action Events 9.30am-12.30pm

Rhyl Community Fire Station, Tuesday 30^th September

DolgellauFire Station, Thursday 2^nd October

If you are interested in attending one of these open events 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 Monday 6th October 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.

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