NEW RECRUITS WELCOMED INTO SERVICE

Monday 11 September, 10:30 hours
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters

Following our recent wholetime recruitment campaign, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is excited to announce that 25 newly appointed wholetime firefighters will officially join the Service on Monday 11 September. On their first official day, the new starters will be welcomed to the Service by Steve Lunn, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Nicholas Rushton, Chair of the CFA and Sir Peter Soulsby, Vice Chair of the CFA.

This is the first time in five years that we have been able to recruit wholetime firefighters. They are joining a great team and everyone is looking forward to welcoming them onto fire and rescue stations, just as soon as they have finished their initial training.

Steve Lunn, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “We are delighted to be in the position to welcome the 25 new wholetime firefighters.”

“They should be really proud of what they have achieved in being appointed. They had to fight off really tough opposition and they have proved that they are the best of the best.”

“Our recruitment campaign definitely proved to be a huge success as this intake of new wholetime firefighters is the most diverse the Service has ever employed. This is fantastic for the Service but more importantly, it is great news for our local communities.”

Nick Rushton, Chairman of Leicestershire Combined Fire Authority, said: “Well done to the 25 news recruits, who will be carrying out vital work saving lives and helping to keep our communities safe.”

“Competition was intense, as you’d expect for a professional public service, with over 600 responses, and I’m pleased this included applications from diverse groups and a mix of men and women.”

“Our hard work over the last year means that we’ve made bigger savings than anticipated. That’s why we’re able to invest in new firefighters and I wish them all the best in their new roles.”

Media are invited to the official welcome by Steve Lunn, Nicholas Rushton and Sir Peter Soulsby, where there will be photo opportunities and the chance to interview Steve Lunn, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer and speak to the new recruits.

Where to find Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters:
12 Geoff Monk Way, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 3BS

If you are planning on attending the official welcoming of the wholetime firefighters, can you please confirm your attendance in advance by contacting the Corporate Communications team on the details shown below.

For more information on Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, please visit www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors
Interview and photo opportunities will be available on the day with prior arrangement via Corporate Communications on the details below. If you are unable to attend, photos will be available via Corporate Communications.

About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.

The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.

During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org

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