Crewing Levels
Leominster Station, like many other retained stations, has a problem recruiting and retaining new firefighters. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is currently reviewing the Retained Duty System, the recruitment of firefighters forms a big part of that review. Do the general public and companies within the service area know what the retained do?
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I think all retained stations face the same problems:-
Recruitment has taken a step up, our brigade now uses the “one point of entry” which is OK for those using the retained as a stepping stone to full time but not so good for the more traditional retained. The process is more complicated that needs be, used to skim down the large number of people wanting to become full-time.
I don’t think employers realy understand the retained. My boss used to think I “backed-up” the full time service until his misses had a bump in her car and we turned up. The same is true of some members of the public. This is not an easy one to overcome. Good luck to your Servise..
Trev - October 26, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hi Leominster
We had the same problem in Wales, the brigade went down the route of paying salary based on availability apparently. Needless to say it was a bit of a pigs ear. It pretty much left the recruitment issue well alone and ruined the morale. People were being paid if they went out or not so many didn’t bother.
David P - October 27, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Recruiting and retention will be a problem umtil brigades take their retained seriously. The brigade treats them like second class employees and this gets to some of the men, who will of course leave. Tell your bods to forget the recruitment issue until the top brass is sorted..
Pips - October 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm
We have just lost 3 crew members due to “natural” wastage. It will take 9-12 months to get replacements. Services nationaly need to get a grip real quick
Simon King - November 8, 2008 at 11:26 am