RECRUITMENT to find new retained firefighters in the local area is due to start at the beginning of July.

Retained firefighters are part time Fire and Rescue service staff, who work alongside their wholetime colleagues, and attend the same incidents. They carry a pocket alerter, which is activated when they are required – and they should report to the fire station within five minutes of a call.

The criteria for applicants is that they should be over 18 years old, physically fit, and live or work in close proximity to a fire station.

Gloucestershire's Chief Fire Officer, Stewart Edgar, commented: "This is a chance 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 required great energy and dedication. But it is also a highly rewarding role, working within a tight-knit team of like-minded individuals.

'Retained firefighters come from all parts of the community, so anyone who thinks they can do something extraordinary should step forward."

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for communities, 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."

Cinderford Fire Station hold the first local recruitment evening on Tuesday July 1, with Lydney Fire Station hosting a similar event the next day, Wednesday July 2. Both events run from 6.30pm to 9pm.

Interested applicants can email for more information to: [email protected]">[email protected]. The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service are also on http://www.facebook.com/glosfire">www.facebook.com/glosfire or www. twitter.com/glosfire.