Women encouraged to attend Shropshire fire service taster day
Women across Shropshire are being encouraged to attend a firefighter taster day.
Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service is offering women the opportunity to experience what it takes to start a career with them as an on-call firefighter with a taster session being held at Ellesmere Fire Station on Saturday, May 22.
Visitors will be shown around fire appliances, equipment such as breathing apparatus and watch a demonstration from the crew.
To be eligible to join as an on-call firefighter you must be 18 or over, live or work within five minutes of an on-call fire station – excluding Telford Central – and be physically fit enough to undertake the role.
There are currently vacancies for on-call firefighters at stations in Ellesmere and Prees, but recruitment for stations around the county takes place all year.
Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service has seen an increase in women applying to become firefighters, but they are still largely under represented within the service.
Natalie Parkinson, EDI officer said: “We currently employ 25 women on-call firefighters, which equates to almost 8 per cent of our on-call workforce. We are absolutely committed to being an inclusive employer and are passionate that the service is representative of the communities we serve, that is why these events are of great importance.
“There have been women firefighters in fire stations in Shropshire and across the UK for many years but it is still a career that many generally don’t consider.
“We provide training, support, promotion opportunities, excellent pay and conditions of service. If you want a rewarding career that is a little bit different then firefighting could be the job for you.”
A total of 63 per cent of Shropshire’s firefighters are on-call which means they have regular day jobs, but respond to incidents when they receive an alert. They play a vital role in making Shropshire safer for those who live and work in the county.
Booking a place at the taster day is essential due to Covid-19 restrictions. To book or for more information email edi@shropshirefire.gov.uk
