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

The fire and rescue service is looking to recruit RDS firefighters at a number of areas and is keen to hear from enthusiastic individuals interested in working as on-call firefighters at their local fire 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 minutes of being paged for a call out. This second phase of our campaign will provide an opportunity for those who missed out on the first phase to apply again.

"Our RDS firefighters represent a diverse range of people who may be builders, shopkeepers, nurses, factory workers, stay-at-home parents or homeworkers during working hours but we would ask that, in addition, they 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 and agricultural accidents.

"We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, physically fit and can demonstrate common sense, commitment and dedication – and we are keen to recruit those who represent the diverse community that we serve.

“We provide 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.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is keen to hear from interested individuals from across the whole of the North Wales region – although the second phase of the campaign will focus on fire stations at Aberdyfi, Abersoch, Barmouth, Beaumaris, Conwy, Corwen, Flint, Holyhead, Johnstown, Menai Bridge, Mold, Nefyn, Rhosneigr, St Asaph, Tywyn and Wrexham.

To find out more – the fire and rescue service is holding a series of open evenings at the following stations on the dates below;

21 June – St Asaph, Flint, Wrexham, Johnstown

22 June - Conwy

23 June - Aberdyfi, Tywyn (at Tywyn Fire Station)

27 June - Corwen, Mold, Menai Bridge

28 June - Abersoch, Nefyn

29 June - Holyhead, Beaumaris, Rhosneigr

30 June - Barmouth

The following Positive Action Days will take place to encourage applications from underrepresented groups within the Service, specifically; females, black and ethnic minorities and those from the LGBT community. 

15July - Rhyl Training Centre

19July - Dolgellau Training Centre

Spaces are limited so advance booking is required - contact Chelsey Hughes on 01745 535278 / chelsey.hughes@nwales-fireservice.org.uk.

For more details on opportunities for a career as a RDS firefighter in stations across North Wales, and details about open evenings and positive action events please visit our website www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk .

If you require more information please contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 01745 535250 or HRDesk@nwales-fireservice.org.uk

Please take a look at our video promoting this recruitment campaign which is on YouTube here.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 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.