This in from the council. In their own words. Ed
On-call firefighters are an essential part of the Island’s fire and rescue team, providing retained duty systems, who work alongside their wholetime colleagues.
In reality, this means that in the event of an incident, you could be the one called in to help save the day, make a difference, and deliver a vital service for the Isle of Wight.
Dedicated team
The team are a dedicated team of men and women from across the Island who offer their time to support their local community, even though in their ‘day job’ they may do something entirely different.
The on-call team is made up of people who normally work in a variety of roles, including shopkeepers, builders, plumbers, farmers, secretaries, engineers and directors of companies, together with people who are not currently employed.
The role of a firefighter
During the fire at the Island Learning Centre on 17 July, approximately 60 on-call firefighters attended over the course of the incident (as initial firefighting crews and relief crews), alongside their wholetime colleagues to support the successful conclusion of the incident.
Anthony Westbrook (40), an on-call firefighter based at Cowes fire station, said:
“Attending an incident such as the one at the Island Learning Centre requires all our training and skills, both for firefighting and dealing with distressed members of the public.
“I embrace the varied and often rewarding nature of the job whether it involves firefighting, road traffic collisions or other incidents.”
Jordan: “You might be just what we’re looking for”
Councillor Phil Jordan, said:
“Our on-call team are essential to the effective running of the island’s fire and rescue service. They are the men and women upon whom we all rely to be there in the event of a crisis. They are trained to the highest level and give their time and commitment to support a most worthwhile cause.
“I’d encourage anyone thinking about becoming a firefighter to make an application. You might be just what we’re looking for! And I’d like to thank you very much for your interest in supporting your community and your fellow islanders.”
Firefighters needed in seven areas
We are currently looking for on-call firefighters at East Cowes, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Freshwater and Yarmouth. On-call firefighters must be able to access one of these sites very quickly in the event of an emergency.
If you live or work near any of these stations and are interested in joining our team, you can download an application form iWight.
Criteria
No previous experience is necessary. Full, comprehensive training will be given and continuous training opportunities are also undertaken.
On-call firefighters are paid for their service. They achieve a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence, a certificate in First Aid, plus all there is to know about emergency situations.
Image: © Richard Chantler
