Firefighter recruitment drive in Dungannon, Cookstown and Magherafelt

It’s part of a province wide move to encourage more females and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to apply.

The positions are for Retained (part-time) firefighters.

NIFRS wants to recruit people who live and work within a five minute radius of Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt Fire Stations to become Retained Firefighters and help protect their local community.

Retained Firefighters respond to emergency incidents including fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist service calls such as chemical spills, collapsed buildings and other types of rescues.

They also play a crucial role in providing safety advice and assistance in their local community.

“Simply put, NIFRS could not operate without our Retained Firefighters as they provide the emergency fire & rescue services to the communities in which they live and work,” explained Trevor Ferguson, Western Area Commander with the NIFRS.

“Retained Firefighters make up over half the total number of Firefighters in Northern Ireland and in this recruitment campaign we are encouraging more females and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider this as a viable career option.

“We currently have 21 Retained Female Firefighters and Retained Firefighters from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds and we are keen to see more females and ethnic minority groups applying.”

Trevor continued: “It is an extremely rewarding and interesting job and Retained Firefighters must be able to quickly respond to emergency call outs by making their way to their local Fire Station within 5 minutes, where they will meet the rest of their Crew.

“Local employers have an equally important role to play in the success of the Retained Firefighter system by allowing their employees to become Retained Firefighters.

“Hundreds of local employers across Northern Ireland employ Retained Firefighters, benefiting by having someone on site professionally trained to respond to a range of emergency incidents and who can advise on fire safety in their own business. NIFRS greatly appreciates the support of local employers in helping provide the best possible fire and rescue service.

Retained Firefighters are paid an attractive monthly retaining fee, plus drill night attendance, emergency call out fees, as well as annual holiday leave.

Those successful will be trained to the highest standards and throughout their careers attend a weekly drill night (2 hours per week) to receive continuous safety and operational training ensuring we have the most highly skilled Firefighters to help protect our local communities.

NIFRS is an equal opportunities employer and looks forward to receiving applications from men and women from all sections of the community who are interested in becoming a Retained Firefighter in their area.

Fire Stations will be holding information nights to give interested applicants more information on the recruitment process and what the job entails.

Mid-Ulster Information nights

Cookstown Fire Station, Information Nights, Monday 11 February 7.30 -9.30pm and Saturday 23 February 1.00 -5.00pm.

Application Packs are available from:

Cookstown Fire Station, 36 Chapel Street, Monday nights, 7.30 -9.30pm

Cookstown Leisure Centre, Fountain Road

Cookstown Library, 13 Burn Road

Cookstown District Headquarters, Unit 4 Kilcronagh Business Park

Dungannon Fire Station, Information Nights, Wednesday 13 February 7.30 -9.30pm and Sunday 24 February 1.00 -5.00pm.

Application packs are available from:

Dungannon Fire Station, 8 Thomas Street, Wednesday nights, 7.30 -9.30pm

Dungannon Library, 36 Market Street

Dungannon Leisure Centre, Circular Road

Cookstown District Headquarters, Unit 4 Kilcronagh Business Park, Cookstown

Magherafelt Fire Station, Information Nights, Saturday 9 February 1.00 -5.00pm and Wednesday 20 February 7.30 -9.30pm.

Applications packs are available from:

Magherafelt Fire Station, 12 Fair Hill Road, Wednesday nights 7.30 -9.30pm

Magherafelt Library, The Bridewell, 6 Church Street

Meadowbank Recreation Centre, Greenvale Park

Cookstown District Headquarters, Unit 4 Kilcronagh Business Park, Cookstown

NIFRS website has further details on the recruitment process and application forms can also be downloaded from www.nifrs.org or you can contact NIFRS Western Area Headquarters, 10 Crescent Link Londonderry or telephone 028 7131 1162.

Closing date for applications is Friday 8 March 2013 at 3.00pm.