Issued on: Thursday 2 September 2021

Firefighter ‘Have a Go’ events

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are running a number of firefighter ‘Have a Go’ days, ahead of their next round of firefighter recruitment.

‘Have a Go’ events give you an insight into life as a firefighter, the opportunity to speak to current firefighters to find out more, and the chance to have a go at the seven job-related tests involved in the application process.

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 a range of measures allowed under the Equality Act 2010, which can be lawfully taken to encourage and train people from underrepresented groups to help them overcome disadvantages in competing with other applicants.  

Callum Faint, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “Safer People, Safer Places is at the heart of everything we do at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. We want to be more reflective of the communities we serve and believe that a diverse workforce will enable us to deliver a better service and demonstrate our approachability to those in our community. 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. Alongside our ‘positive action’ events we run ‘Have a Go’ days for everyone to attend.

“It is about creating a level playing field to enable people to compete on equal terms regardless of their gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. 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.”

The first ‘Have a Go’ day is taking place this Sunday (5 September) and is open to women only. Confirmed days are as follows:

  • Sunday 5 September – Central Fire and Rescue Station, Leicester – Women only*
  • Saturday 11 September – Market Harborough Fire and Rescue Station, Leicestershire.
  • Sunday 12 September – Central Fire and Rescue Station, Leicester.
  • Saturday 18 September – Coalville Fire and Rescue Station, Leicestershire.
  • Sunday 19 September – Central Fire and Rescue Station, Leicester.
  • Saturday 25 September – Eastern Fire and Rescue Station, Leicester.
  • Saturday 2 October – Highfields Centre, Leicester – BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds) only*
  • Sunday 3 October – Central Fire and Rescue Station, Leicester- LGBT+ only*

Callum added: “Whether you have desires of becoming a firefighter, or you’re looking for a career change, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to come and have a go.”

To book on a session and to find out more about the up and coming firefighter recruitment, visit www.leics-fire.gov.uk/wholetime.

The recruitment website for applications is currently closed. When applications open, it will be announced on the Service website and social media channels. In the meantime, the ‘Have a Go’ events can help you prepare.

If you would like to find out more about Positive Action, please visit www.leics-fire.gov.uk/recruitment where you will find our Positive Action Statement under the supporting information section.

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 2019/20, we attended a total of 8,541 emergency incidents, including 2,079 fires and 748 road traffic collisions. A total of 7,274 Home Safety Checks were completed and we fitted 4,720 smoke alarms. 305 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to 26,218 pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,218 community safety activities, totalling over 11,000 hours of time engaging with members of the public.

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 5592

Corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov.uk

Download a PDF version here

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