The recruitment process to apply for wholetime firefighter posts with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service opens on Monday 16 January.

It is the first time the Service has recruited for wholetime firefighters in eight years and applicants will have a week to register, with the initial process closing at midday on Monday 23 January.

The role of a firefighter has changed dramatically, even in recent years, with so much more to the role than putting out fires.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Glenn Askew said: “We expect so much more of our firefighters in terms of their ability to adapt to a huge range of incident types and community work. One day a firefighter could be rescuing people from fast flowing water and the next keeping our most vulnerable members of the community safe in their homes with our home fire safety checks.”

Firefighters play a crucial role in:

• educating young drivers to prevent accidents and injuries
• Proactively supporting businesses to help them comply with fire safety legislation
• rescuing people from road traffic collisions
• keeping our communities safe from fire and other dangers with home safety checks
• supporting the ambulance service with medical emergencies
• educating children in road and fire safety through school visits and community events
• rescuing people from fast flowing water and protecting properties from flood damage
• making people safer in their places of work by advising business owners on fire safety regulations
• rescuing people from height and confined spaces
• providing specialist animal rescue services

The Service aims to recruit a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we work in. We are firmly committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

Cllr Sara Randall Johnson, Equalities Champion for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, said: “We want to ensure that our workforce reflects both the community and the mix of skills and qualities required to do the job. For this recruitment process we particularly welcome applications from women as they are under-represented in our operational service.

"We also welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic as they are also under-represented in our workforce and encourage everyone to see what the fire and rescue service can offer in terms of a challenging and interesting career.”

To apply you must be able to evidence that you:

• are eligible to work in the UK
• are 17 years and 6 months old or over
• have no unspent criminal convictions
• have a full driving licence valid in the UK
• are able to swim 50m uninterrupted in a recognised effective stroke
• have four GCSEs at Grade A*-C including English, Maths and Science or an equivalent/higher qualification covering these subjects.

For more information visit www.dsfire.gov.uk