Issued on: Wednesday 19 September 2018
Ahead of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s upcoming recruitment process for Wholetime Firefighters, they are putting on several Have A Go days to allow those interested in becoming a Wholetime Firefighter a chance to have a go and find out more about the role. This includes fitness level requirements and what the job entails, the opportunity to speak with current firefighters about how they find the job, as well as one of their recruitment champions about any queries you may have.
The Service endeavours to reflect their diverse communities in their workforce, and consequently are appealing to those living in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area who think they would make a great addition to the Service and a real difference in their community. They are specifically interested in attracting women, those who are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, those who identify as LGBT+ or those who have certain disabilities (e.g. Dyslexia/ Dyspraxia), to consider a career with the Service.
Details of the Service’s planned Have A Go taster events can be seen below:
- Saturday 6 October, 10:00 – 16:00 hours – women only (Positive Action)
- Sunday 7 October, 10:00 – 16:00 hours – LGBT and BAME only (Positive Action)
- Saturday 13 October, 10:00 – 16:00 hours – open to all
- Sunday 14 October, 10:00 – 16:00 hours – open to all
To sign up for the Have A Go days, please visit www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/wholetime. Please note places are limited and are given out on a first come first serve basis.
Rick Taylor, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “We all know our workforce is not representative of the multicultural and diverse communities we serve.
“In order to begin to reflect our diverse communities, we will focus our recruitment campaign on encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, black and minority ethnic and our LGBT+ communities.
“To help, we will be holding a number of Have A Go days to allow members of our communities from the underrepresented groups to come forward and have a go at being a firefighter, which will hopefully encourage them to apply for the role in the future.
“Doing this will not preclude applications from white British males. Every applicant that successfully completes the application process will be judged on their merit – there will be no bias in favour of any particular group or individual.
“Whether you have aspirations of being a firefighter, or you’re looking to change career, this is the ideal opportunity for you to make a real difference.”
The Service asks that people interested in applying do not call them at this stage to find out when the opening date for applications will be announced. This will be published widely via their social media channels and local media. Alternatively, please check their website regularly where further information will be published.
For more information about the Service’s Wholetime Firefighter recruitment process, visit www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/wholetime.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.
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 43 percent.
During 2016/17, the Service attended 694 road traffic collisions, of which 148 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to 2,259 fires. 272 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,613 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 145 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project.
Contact:
Dominic Halliday
Media and Communications Officer
Direct Tel: 0116 229 2178
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
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