Call for more volunteer firefighters in Shropshire

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service receives more than 5,000 calls every year and deals with 1,500 fires in homes and businesses.

Shrewsbury, Wellington and Telford fire stations have a mix of full-time and on-call firefighters.

There are 22 full-time officers, 159 full-time firefighters and 341 on-call paid volunteers covering Shropshire, most of whom have full-time jobs.

Neil Grove, Assistant Group Commander for South Shropshire, said he estimated that about 90 per cent of the county's fire stations needed staff.

"We run three recruitment courses a year and try to get 10 people at each course," he said.

"For the last two or three years we have been filling them up. That's 30 people a year coming through, but a lot of them are simply replacing people who are leaving the service."

He added: "We are constantly trying to recruit staff who can provide a variety of cover periods although the main focus is usually of people who can provide week daytime cover.

"It is important to stress that to provide cover people need to be able to provide the minimum number of hours, 84 in a week, and be able respond within a five minute radius of the fire station."

Bridgnorth's fire station is holding a recruitment drive this weekend to increase its numbers.

Ian George, one of the station's firefighters, said there were about 14 people available, but the Innage Lane site needs between 18 and 20.

Station bosses will be holding the event on Saturday as part of celebrations to mark its half century.

Mr George said: "We're appealing for any member of the public who lives within a five minute radius of the station in Bridgnorth to come forwards."

He added: "We're desperate for people who can work in the day."

Anyone interested can go along to the fire station between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

Visitors will also be able to see some of the current appliances as well as retired machines. There will be fire drill demonstrations and the museum will be open.

For more details on becoming a retained firefighter visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk