Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are running a number of short virtual workshops ahead of their next round of On-Call firefighter recruitment.

The virtual workshops are designed to support and guide potential applicants through the On-Call firefighter recruitment process, covering topics such as what to expect with the application, fitness and nutrition, equality, diversity and inclusion.

On-Call Firefighters do not work full-time, but are paid to spend some periods of their time available on-call to respond to emergency incidents. Many have full-time jobs, others maybe self-employed or stay at home parents.

Callum Faint, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: "On-Call firefighters play a vital role at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and they help us provide the very best service to the local communities we serve.

"It's a real opportunity for those looking for a rewarding job where they are also able to give something back to their local community."

During these challenging times of COVID-19, the Service has been looking at new ways to reach out to potential new recruits. The virtual workshops, which take approximately an hour, gives people the chance to find out more about the role and speak to real On-Call staff from the Service.

Callum added: "If you are interested in applying to become an On-Call firefighter, but not sure what the job entails or where to start, I would encourage you to join a workshop to find out more and to give you a real insight into what to expect.

"We look forward to seeing and hearing from you and hope this will be the first step to you joining our family."

Virtual workshops are taking place on the following dates:

Wednesday 5 May; 6:45pm to 7:45pm

Wednesday 5 May; 8pm to 9pm

Wednesday 12 May; 6:45pm to 7:45pm

Wednesday 12 May; 8pm to 9pm

Wednesday 19 May; 6:45pm to 7:45pm

Wednesday 19 May; 8pm to 9pm

To book on a session and to find out more about the up and coming On-Call firefighter recruitment, visit www.leics-fire.gov.uk/on-call.

The recruitment website for applications will open shortly and will be announced on the Service website and social media channels, but in the meantime the virtual workshops can help you prepare.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.

During 2019/20, it attended a total of 8,541 emergency incidents, including 2,079 fires and 748 road traffic collisions. A total of 7,274 Home Safety Checks were completed and it fitted 4,720 smoke alarms.

Some 305 schools were visited as part of the Service's schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to 26,218 pupils.

Staff organised or took part in 1,218 community safety activities, totalling over 11,000 hours of time engaging with members of the public.

The Service's prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire-related incidents have reduced by over 30 percent.