Issued on: Thursday 5 September 2019

Wholetime Recruitment Have A Go Day

Sunday 8 September 09:30-16:00 hours

Central Fire and Rescue Station

Throughout the summer, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have run a number of ‘Have A Go’ days ahead of their wholetime firefighter recruitment, which went live earlier this week.

With the last ‘Have A Go’ day taking place this Sunday (8 September), the Service are hoping more people will be encouraged to apply for the role of a wholetime firefighter.

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, the Service has held 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 have run 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 were 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.”

The recruitment website for applications for wholetime firefighter vacancies opened on Monday 3 September, and will close at 12:00 hours on Monday 16 September 2019.

The last ‘Have A Go’ day, is taking place on Sunday 8 September, 09:30-16:00 hours at Central Fire and Rescue Station and is open to everyone.* Please note, this ‘Have A Go’ day is now fully booked.

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 Central Fire and Rescue Station:

Lancaster Place, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HB

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 apply for the role of a wholetime firefighter, 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 CommunicationsDirect: 0116 210 5592

corporate.communications@lfrs.org

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