Photo Jeff ‘Big Shiny Red Machines Go Vroom’ Dawson
Members of the public are being sought to help their communities at the Bangalow and Byron Bay Fire Stations, with paid positions for women and men on offer for on-call firefighters.
Byron Bay Deputy Captain and recruitment officer, Matthew Crisp, told The Echo that information nights are planned at Bangalow Fire Station, Tuesday February 18 from 5.30pm, and Byron Bay Fire Station, Tuesday March 4 from 5.30pm.
He says, ‘The information sessions give prospective candidates a chance to learn all about the role, meet the team, visit the fire station, see the specialised equipment, and ask any questions about the exciting and rewarding part-time role of on-call firefighter’.
Duty roster
According to Fire and Rescue NSW’s On-call Candidate Information Pack, ‘While our on-call fire stations respond to emergencies 24-hours a day and seven days a week, our on-call firefighters are not rostered on duty’.
‘On-call firefighters declare their availability to respond a week in advance. This enables the on-call firefighters to maintain their employment and advise the station when they are available to respond.
‘On-call firefighters are notified of an incident by pager and a mobile phone call’.
Matt adds, ‘Our firefighters are a diverse group of men and women who balance their work, study, and family commitments. They enjoy being part of a team, working with the community and other emergency services’.
On-call firefighters are paid on a fortnightly basis in accordance with the Crown Employees (Fire and Rescue NSW Retained Firefighting Staff) Award 2021.
Paid training, travel
All training and travel is paid. Applicants need to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, over 18, and hold a NSW drivers licence. Applicants must also live and/or work within a reasonable distance of their local station.
Comprehensive training is provided, covering all aspects of the work they do to keep your community safe.
For information, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au, search FRNSW on-call firefighter careers, or call Matt on 0421 498 340.
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