Fire service recruitment “taster day”

A FIREFIGHTER “taster day” is to be held at Warrington Fire Station on Wednesday, August 17 as part of an autumn recruitment drive by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Similar taster days are being held at fire stations in Winsford, Crewe, and Ellesmere Port during August.
The aim is to encourage a more diverse workforce as the service is committed to ensuring that it has a workforce that represents the communities it serves.
However, more than 90 per cent of its current operational firefighters are white males. Therefore, the Service is encouraging women and people
from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who are LGBT to come along to a taster session to see if they have what it takes to be a modern firefighter.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin said: “We are proud of our staff, however, we are also conscious that we do not get many women or people from black and ethnic minority and LGBT background applying for firefighter positions.
“This is something we want to address in a positive way. I still believe that there are some misconceptions as to what it takes to be a firefighter in a modern service.
“I would really urge people to come along to one of the events. They are a great opportunity to discover more about the work we do. We may also be able to dispel any myths about what a modern Fire and Rescue Service looks for when recruiting.”
The taster day at Warrington’s Winwick Road fire station will be held between 10am and 6pm.
Taster days will include several workshops that will cover issues such as the application process and what personal qualities the Service is looking for when it recruits.
People will also get the chance to have a go at the physical tests that form part of the  entrance criteria and chat to firefighters to find out from them what the role is like.
Anyone interested can drop in to one of the sessions between the listed times, allowing an hour to an hour and a half to get the best out of the event or – and this would be really helpful – register attendance in advance on 01606 868308.