So you want to be a Firefighter?

This is why Blaina is available 100% of the time

So you want to be a Firefighter?

Well the chances of you finding employment as a "Full Time" firefighter are extremely remote, you know how the establishment likes to do things on the cheap, so your next alternative is to be a Retained Duty System Fire Fighter.

You will receive the same kind of professional training, you will use the same equipment and you will of course be prepared to risk your life, but of course not for the same kind of remuneration as your full time colleagues (it is not their fault, it is the system).

Well the good news, is that the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are currently looking for RDS Firefighters in the following areas of South Wales:

Cowbridge, Pencoed, Ogmore Vale, Pontycymmer, Maesteg (day cover only), Treorchy, Ferndale, Gilfach Goch, Pontyclun (day cover only), Pontypridd, Hirwaun, Abercynon, Llantwit Major, Tredegar, Rhymney, Abercarn, Risca, Abersychan, Brynmawr, Blaenavon, Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow, Usk, Caldicot.

The Job Description from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service's site is described as follows:-

The Retained Duty System (RDS) comprises on-call Firefighters who live and/or work in the local community of a Retained Fire Station.  The RDS Firefighter fulfils the same role as the WDS Fire fighter and provides a front line service.

RDS Firefighters must live or work near a Retained Fire Station and be able to arrive at the Station within five minutes of a call.  Some employers are flexible and allow RDS Firefighters to leave work to attend incidents and training.  Self employed individuals who permanently work in the local area are also welcome to apply.

Now the brighter lights out there will have noticed that although there are vacancies in Brynmawr and Blaenavon, there are no firefighters required in Blaina or Abertillery and you have to ask why?

Well before we can answer that, you have to ask first, why in this time of high unemployment are there no takers for what is a profession/vocation that is highly respected by all people?

Well take a look at the pay they are offering those people who are prepared to risk their lives on behalf of their local communities. 

A paltry £7,245, that can  rise to a slightly larger paltry amount of £9,660 per year.

So the standard contract is for 84 hours per week, which means that a person employed as an RDS Firefighter is paid just £1.65 per hour - not a lot for risking your life is it?

No wonder many of those stations above (no offence to them or insults intended) are so often unavailable for duty because of staff shortages.  Who wants to risk making their wives widows for a such a pittance?

So then, what is different about Blaina and Abertillery who have both managed to provide almost a 100% availability service for so long?

Well the answer is simple, they are both Community Fire Stations, where the crews are prepared to risk their lives to ensure the protection of their own families, friends and neighbours.

For them, their job is not about the money, it is about caring and protecting the community and people they love,

Mrs Margaret Griffin said it all yesterday, when she wrote that our firefighters have hearts.  Agreed, and big ones at that.