Rural retained boost

The retained support officers will provide back-up service Photo: Shropshire FRS

Operationally, RSOs are all experienced firefighters and will be utilised to maintain RDS appliance availability across the county.  They will help to keep appliances up to strength and organise drills and station exercises, whether this is setting up a chemical exercise at a local factory or a drill at a scrap yard.

RSOs will also work on boosting recruitment with employers, monitoring their stations with regard to establishment levels and acting proactively in the recruitment of Retained Duty System (RDS) personnel. They will be involved at all stages of the process – from talking to employers, arranging interviews, carrying out selection tests and assisting with development.  RSOs will liaise and build up relationships with both current and potential employers of RDS staff, acting as the vital link between employers and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. 

This is all in addition to providing more general support, which may include liaison with headquarters departments on behalf of stations, or administrative support. The Ludlow RSOs are already involved in the organisation of an employers’ evening at Bishop’s Castle Fire Station, while others are arranging open days. 

More broadly, the RSOs will also be available to answer any queries from families or partners of RDS staff, and will be involved in the production of newsletters aimed at keeping people abreast of events within Shropshire’s retained service.  In particular they will represent Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership meetings, working in liaison with all of the major stakeholders in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.

Clun Sub Officer Trevor Williams was instrumental in their recruitment. He sent the fire authority a detailed diary of his long day from dawn until dusk working as a firefighter while running his family poultry farm business, Clun Farm Eggs.

“This is going to be a big help to all of Shropshire’s retained firefighters. It will take the pressure off us, especially when we have our own businesses to run. There were simply not enough hours in the day before.”

The RSOs will be based around the county’s rural fire stations at Ludlow, Oswestry, Market Drayton and Bridgnorth.

The new jobs were created following a recommendation in a national review of the retained service and the findings of a review by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

For further information contact Phil Clarke: 01743 260232 or email Phil.Clarke@shropshirefire.gov.uk