New firefighter vacancies 'will suit modern life'

Reduced hours retained firefighter contracts hope to boost cover where it is needed

New contracts are being advertised with Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service to better "fit around modern life", it has said.

The reduced hours for on-call retained fire fighters mean people would have the option to only be available in working hours during the working week.

The change is part of an effort to encourage more people to join up.

A service spokesman said: "These are designed to fit around modern life and boost cover at the times we need it most, especially weekday daytimes and weekends."

The alternative contract options were especially aimed at those who could not "commit to the full on-call contract", he explained.

Applications are open to work with teams all over the island, at stations in Laxey, Ramsey, Peel, Port Erin and Castletown, and Malew.

Reduced on-call hours

Under the new contracts, recruits have the option to be on-call from between 45 hours per week Monday to Friday, to 120 hours per week from Monday to Sunday.

There are different options between the two extremes, including 100 hours per week Monday to Sunday, and 48 hours per week from Saturday to Monday.

While full training to become a qualified firefighter is included in the role, any applicant must live within two miles (3.2km) of, or within the town boundary of, their chosen fire station.

Various "pop-in sessions" are being held around the island this month to give people more information.

The first is in Ramsey on 10 September, the second in Rushen on 11, and third on 16 in Laxey.

There will be a further session in Peel on 17, Castletown on 18, and Kirk Michael on 22 September. They will all be between 19:00 and 20:00 BST.

These are "an opportunity to visit your local station and have a chat with the firefighters", the spokesman said.