Issued on: Tuesday 13 August 2019

Saturday 17 August 11:00-16:00 hours

Highfields Centre, Leicester

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting wholetime firefighters across the Service this autumn.

Ahead of this, several ‘Have A Go’ days will take place over the next few weeks. The ‘Have A Go’ days give you an insight into the role of a firefighter, the required strength, fitness and aptitude levels needed. They also give you the opportunity to speak with current firefighters about the role, and ask any questions you may have.

To encourage people from groups that are currently underrepresented in the workforce, there will be a number of Positive Action ‘Have A Go’ days aimed at women, black and minority ethnic and LGBT+ communities. Positive Action is lawful under the Equality Act.

Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor, said: “We are pleased to be recruiting for wholetime firefighters again this year. We would however, like our workforce to reflect the gender, multicultural and diverse communities we serve. In order to do this, we are running some focused events, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, black and minority ethnic and our LGBT+ communities.

“At these ‘Have A Go’ days, underrepresented groups in our workforce are invited to come forward and have a go at being a firefighter. By attending these sessions it will hopefully encourage them to apply for the role in the future.”

The next ‘Have A Go’ day is taking place on Saturday 17 August and this is open to BAME only. Other confirmed days so far are:

  • Saturday 17 August, 11:00-16:00 hours, Highfields Centre, Leicester -BAME
  • Sunday 18 August, 09:30-16:00 hours, Central Fire and Rescue Station -open to all
  • Sunday 8 September, 09:30-16:00 hours, Central Fire and Rescue Station – open to all

Rick Taylor added: “By encouraging underrepresented groups to apply, it will not preclude applications from people who are not in these groups, but want a career in the fire service.

“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 to our objective of safer people, safer places.”

Where to find Highfields Centre:

96 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS

If media are planning on attending, please confirm your attendance in advance by contacting the Corporate Communications team on the details shown below.

For more information on our recruitment process or to register your interest in attending one of our ‘Have A Go’ days, please visit leics-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.

During 2018/19, the Service attended 762 road traffic collisions, of which 125 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to ­2,569 fires. We carried out 6,746 home safety checks and fitted 4,790 smoke alarms. 279 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 1,068 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 134 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project. 

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 over 30 percent. 

Contact:

Corporate Communications

Direct: 0116 210 5591

corporate.communications@lfrs.org

Download PDF version here.

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