PEOPLE from all walks of life are being invited to attend a firefighter recruitment open evening at Taunton fire station, Lisieux Way, next Thursday, March 27 at 7pm.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is urgently seeking to recruit retained fire-fighters for Taunton fire station.

Station Manager Steve Brown said: "Fire-fighters are normal people who live or work in the community.

"They are builders, housewives, postal workers, and shop keepers - in fact they come from each and every walk of life. The only thing that they have in common is that they have all decided to put something back into the community by becoming trained as firefighters.

"The retained fire-fighters at Taunton regularly support their full time colleagues at operational incidents and are trained to operate all six appliances currently based at Taunton.

"In addition, the retained section at Taunton is specially trained to operate the high volume pumping unit and recent deployments have seen fire-fighters from Taunton tackling the Buncefield fire and the major flooding incidents in Hull and Gloucestershire.

"Fire doesn't discriminate and neither do we. We are keen to talk all members of the community.

"We know that there are many women that are capable of becoming fire-fighters and we believe they are reluctant to put themselves forward. Most people believe that the physical strength required to be a fire-fighter is much greater than it actually is.

"Whether you live, or only work in Taunton, as long as you can reach the fire station within seven minutes of being alerted - your application will be considered."

Applicants must be at least 18 and physically fit. Successful applicants will have a chance to attend First Aid courses and LGV driving courses.

1:42pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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