Four new faces join Cambridgeshire’s on-call firefighting ranks

24/08/2016

Four new faces are joining the ranks of on-call firefighting in Cambridgeshire.

The latest batch of on-call recruits passed out this month (August) and are now on the run following a three-month training course, serving their communities around their work and home life. 

Wisbech welcomes Simon Frampton, 44, to its on-call crew. The Emneth resident, who enjoys motor biking and fishing, will fit firefighting around his job as a motor vehicle technician.

Football enthusiast Dean Johnson, 23, joins Whittlesey Fire Station and HGV driver James Parish, 31, is a new addition at Huntingdon Fire Station.

Cambridgeshire’s only volunteer station, Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, will swell its ranks with the addition of Nathan Glover. The 26-year-old claims handler is now giving up his time for free to serve the community of Peterborough.

Group Commander Gary Mitchley, head of on-call at CFRS, said: “Being an on-call firefighter is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity and we wish this group of new recruits the very best as they start their journeys here in Cambridgeshire.

“Training is tough and these individuals have shown dedication not just to the fire service but to themselves and their communities. Our emergency service relies on the commitment and continued support of on-call firefighters and their families and we would like to thank every one of them who continues to give up hours of their time to serve the community.” 

The on-call firefighters are trained professionals who respond to emergencies in their communities alongside their day-to-day lives. They may be at home, work or out and about when they receive a pager alert and straight away they must jump into action and get ready to deal with any incident.

The new recruits are on-call after completing three months of training at the Service’s training centre in Huntingdon.

Some new recruits have other jobs and respond to 999 emergencies while they are at work thanks to the support of local employers, who recognise the importance of allowing their staff to respond to incidents. There are also benefits to the employer and employee as on-call firefighters receive new skills and training which they may be able to use in their full time jobs as well. 

On-call firefighters have to be aged 18 and over, have a good level of all-round fitness and live or work within five minutes travelling time of an on-call fire station. 

CFRS is recruiting on-call firefighters and to find out more call 01480 444500 or log on to www.cambsfire.gov.uk.