WITH the largest intake of oncall trainee firefighters, recently taking place across the county, stations in north Hampshire believe more is needed.

As previously reported in The Gazette Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service recently recruited 26 new retained firefighters, the largest number since the Second World War.

In the latest drive six new recruits were taken in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.

However, the north Hampshire group, which takes in Basingstoke, Tadley, Hook, Whitchurch, Kingsclere, Odiham and Rushmoor fire stations, believe more brave men and women are needed to help run this vital service.

Retained watch manager at Basingstoke Fire Station, in West Ham Close, Rob Voller, said becoming an on-call firefighter is ideal for those looking for more out of life.

He told The Gazette: “In the last year, we have had more than 100 calls and it is an exciting environment to be a part of.

“People sometimes don’t understand what it is to be a retained firefighter, but people can fit it around their every day life and get out as much as they put in.”

New trainees undergo a rigorous training regime, but also get on the job experience.

With many cuts to the fire service, retained firefighters act as a back-up, yet have the same training and take the same risks.

Mr Voller added: “A lot of retained firefighters still have fulltime jobs, but they sign up as they want to work outdoors, be part of a team or just help others.”

To be eligible people must live within a certain radius of their local fire station and be able to get there within just a few minutes, with some employers such as Morrisons relieving on-call firefighters when they are on duty.

For more details about the retained fire service or to sign up visit hantsfire.gov.uk/work-with-us/ about-our-careers/ on-call-retainedfirefighter-vacancies.

Below are what the retained firefighters think of their new positions:

Tim Copani, 37 (pictured) 

TIM is one of the new recruits who is based at the Whitchurch station and fits his work around his full-time job working in a warehouse. For the 37-year-old, it was an opportunity to work outdoors and be part of a team.

He said: “Even in the short time since starting the training there is a real sense of comradery among everyone.

“Even though there is a group of us who started the training together you may not see each other all the time, but when you do there’s this great community feeling among everyone.

“It may sound silly but it is like we are all brothers and sisters all working towards a common goal.”

Angel Martinez Perez, 28 (pictured)

ANGEL is currently studying to be a nurse, but has always wanted to be a firefighter.

After trying to apply a few times and not succeeding, he thought the opportunity had passed him, until the latest recruitment drive for the retained service.

He said: “My girlfriend heard that the retained fire service were looking for people and she really encouraged me to sign up.

“Since starting the training it has been really exciting and when you get that first pager there is a huge rush, there is just no other feeling like it.”

Angel fits being a retained firefighter around his studies, and said finding the balance is worth it as “you can make a real difference on a person’s life”.

Charlotte Cope, 32 (pictured)

FOR Charlotte, becoming a retained firefighter was a dream come true.

She said: “I have always wanted to be a firefighter, but where I used to live I was told they weren’t recruiting.

“When I moved to Basingstoke, I made a phone call to see how I could get involved and I spoke to Rob and had the opportunity to become a member of the retained service.”

For the 32-year-old, being part of the retained service is ideal as she is able to fit it around time for her daughter.

She added: “I just feel like this is something that I really wanted to do, and I know there are people who say they don’t have the time.

“But it is really flexible and if I am able to working it around my daughter I am sure others can arrange a similar schedule for their lives.”