COUNTY fire chiefs have confirmed that a new recruitment round for prospective firefighters is opening.
Applications will go live on 28th September with 16 positions available with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The posts are to fill those created by existing firefighters retiring.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Michelle Hickmott, who joined the fire and rescue service 19 years ago, said:
"The role of a firefighter has been in the public eye more so than ever this summer and although fighting fires is what most people see, there is so much more to the role than just emergency response.
"Visiting vulnerable people in their homes, attending community events, helping protect businesses through fire safety and educating school children take up a large proportion of our firefighters' time, along with training and exercising for when our communities need us most.
"From a career perspective, all new recruits will complete an apprenticeship, and development is encouraged and supported for those who wish to progress into leadership positions or further develop their skills in specialist areas."
Firefighter Thea Millward joined the fire service during the most recent recruitment drive two years ago. She said:
"It was a childhood dream of mine to become a firefighter.
"In this role, I’ve got to meet and work with incredible people from all different backgrounds, and I love engaging with the community through initiatives like home fire safety visits and school visits which are really rewarding.
"Being a firefighter means that every day is different, you’re always learning and pushing yourself to strive for excellence."
Applications will close on 11th October. To find out more about the role, recruitment process and FAQs visit the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service website.
