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HELPING keep your local community safe while learning some valuable skills are at the heart of recruitment drive in Buckie.
The town's on-call firefighter team have launched a campaign to swell their ranks. On-call firefighters are fully trained professionals who, instead of providing cover based in a fire station do so from home and/or their place of work, usually being summoned to a call-out by means of a pager.
In Moray, on-call stations such as Buckie provide the backbone of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's (SFRS) cover, with Elgin being the only full-time station in the region.
Watch Commander at Buckie fire station, Colin Forbes – a full-time firefighter who serves locally on an on-call basis when off duty – said the optimum crew complement was 22 but that they were currently seven shy of that mark. However, having more than the optimum number on the books would, he said, be a boost, giving the station a greater pool of firefighters on which to draw.
He went on to outline some of the many benefits of becoming an on-call firefighter.
He said: "A lot of people don't realise that this is a paid position.
"On-call firefighters are paid a monthly retainer plus for call-outs at an hourly rate. They're also paid for attending the weekly training nights as well as for attending courses – at an hourly rate – with travel and accommodation included.
"There's also 28 days paid holiday, too and there's a chance to pay into an attractive pension scheme.
"Another popular misconception is that on-call firefighters are expected to be available 24/7, which isn't the case. Each firefighter is contracted to do a certain number of hours and you can book yourself off if you've work or other commitments – it's very flexible.
"One of the biggest skills – and most satisfying – is teamwork. It builds people's confidence and challenges them.
"You learn a whole range of skills which are transferable to the workplace and elsewhere, for example risk management, first aid, trauma care, health and safety, LGV training, team working, leadership, self-discipline, all of which they can bring benefits back to the workplace.
"On-call firefighters are a part of their community. At Buckie fire station we're people from Buckie who're helping keep Buckie safe. It's an opportunity to help people in their hour of need."
Mr Forbes went on to say ideally the station was looking for people who are available to offer cover during the working day, although all applications were welcome.
Employers have a vital role to play in the functioning of the on-call system.
Mr Forbes explained: "There's an obvious community benefit to having an employee who's an on-call firefighter, but there are businesses benefits, too.
"The biggest one is the skills on-call firefighters bring with them, like teamwork, first aid and health and safety.
"With most call-outs we're usually back within the hour so most of the time you're not looking at losing an employee for hours on end.
"Most on-call firefighters come to an arrangement with their employer, which usually revolves around either not getting paid for the time they're called out or they make back the time they took for a call-out.
"We're more than happy to come out and speak to employers about the benefits of having an on-call firefighter on their payroll."
With 17 years of full-time and on-call service under his belt, Mr Forbes said he had no regrets about his choice of career.
"I'd always had an interest in joining the fire service and I enjoy working as part of a team.
"It's great being able to help the local community."
Potential recruits must be a minimum of 18 years old although there is no upper age limit, suitability for service being determined by passing fitness and medical tests.
Once a new recruit has passed successfully through the selection process and signed their contract they undertake a two-week initial training course which focuses on the core skills of the role. After this, they are given their pager and are part of the on-call training. It takes a minimum of three years of training before a new recruit becomes a fully competent firefighter.
Mr Forbes added: "Signing up to be an on-call firefighter can be a very beneficial experience for someone thinking of going full-time at some point, although the transition between the two roles isn't guaranteed.
"Anyone who thinks becoming an on-call firefighter could be for them is more than welcome to drop by the station during one of our training nights, which are on Mondays from 6.45pm to 9.45pm."
Buckie fire station are set to hold two recruitment information evenings.
The first session will be on Wednesday, October 18 between 6.30pm and 9pm which is open everyone.
The second session will be a female only session where any women who are interested in joining the fire service but may be apprehensive about applying. They will be able to drop in and speak with female firefighters about their experience in the fire service and ask any questions they have in relation to applying for the position. This session will run on Thursday, October 19 from 6.30pm and 9pm.
Anyone who is unable to attend either session but is interested in joining can drop by the fire station on a training evening or send the team a message via the station Facebook page.
More information on the role of an on-call firefighter can be found at www.firescotland.gov.uk/careers/on-call-firefighter and online applications can be made via https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/
