WHETHER you are a company director or a factory worker Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is looking for men and women who are interested in becoming retained firefighters.

Retained staff are vital to the Gloucestershire service and nationally provide fire and rescue cover to around 60 per cent of the UK.

The only criteria is they must be more than 18 years old, physically fit and living or working within five minutes of their local fire station.

Gloucestershire’s chief fire officer Jon Hall said: “This is an opportunity to become a member of a highly-skilled team and to contribute to the safety of the communities in which we all live.

“It’s an important job which requires great energy and dedication but it’s also a highly rewarding role.

“Retained firefighters come from all sections of the community, so anyone who thinks they can do something extraordinary should step forward.”

Successful applicants will be given full training in attending emergencies and paid a monthly retainer fee including additional pay for call-outs.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said: “We are all in the business of making sure communities and individuals are as safe as they can be and our retained firefighters are a vital cog in the wheel.

“Anyone who thinks they have what it takes to be a firefighter should take this chance to find out more about the role.”

Recruitment nights are being held between 6.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday, October 16 at Stroud fire station in Paganhill Lane, on Thursday, October 17 at Tetbury fire station in New Church Street and on Thursday, October 24 at Nailsworth fire station in Station Road.