County businesses praised for employing on-call firefighters

The companies have been recognised with awards from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for allowing the employees to dash off from work at a moment's notice to respond to 999 calls.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the many businesses and companies that support the fire service in this way,” chief fire officer, Rod Hammerton, said.

“Without the support of employers we wouldn’t have a fire and rescue service in Shropshire. In our rural county, 80 per cent of our firefighters on on-call and when their beeper goes off they have to drop everything and get to their fire stations within five minutes."

He was speaking after Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s annual Celebration of Success awards event which took place at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on Monday.

Among the firefighters and support staff due to be presented with a variety of awards were six companies that were nominated to receive an employer’s award in recognition of their commitment and support for employees who also serve as on-call firefighters.

The six companies are Muller from Minsterley, PGL Boreatton from Baschurch, M & J Services from Craven Arms, Endowed Leisure Centre from Bridgnorth, Carpetright in Oswestry, and Newtown Garage in Baschurch.

“As a proud local employer, with a long history of working with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, we are delighted to be able to help the local community,” said Muller’s chief engineer, Duncan Jones.

Another award-winning employer, the Boreatton Park Activity Centre at Baschurch, said it was happy for employee, Russell Bentick, to serve as an on-call firefighter.

“Our company is in a rural location and we really value the fact that we have an on-call fire station nearby and we are happy to do our bit to sustain it by supporting Russell’s firefighter role,” said manager, Steve Horne.

Mr Hammerton has also appealed for more employers to allow staff to become on call recruits across the county.

He said: “Work to recruit on-call firefighters goes on continually in every corner of Shropshire and the role played by supportive employers is absolutely crucial in helping us recruit the firefighters we need to help protect the community we serve.”

To become an on call firefighter call 01743 260200 or visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk for more details about Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.