Can you take the heat?

THE Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has launched a major recruitment drive for retained (part-time) firefighters in 37 fire stations across Northern Ireland, including Glengormley and Ballyclare.

NIFRS wants to recruit people who live and work within a five minute radius of Glengormley or Ballyclare fire stations to become Retained Firefighters and help protect their local community.

Retained firefighters respond to emergency incidents including fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist service calls such as chemical spills, collapsed buildings and other types of rescues. They also play a crucial role in providing safety advice and assistance in their local community.

Gary Thompson, NIFRS Northern Area Commander, explains: “Simply put, NIFRS could not operate without our retained firefighters as they provide the emergency fire and rescue services to the communities in which they live and work.”

Both local fire stations will be holding information sessions to give interested applicants more information on the recruitment process and what the job entails.

Glengormley information nights - Thursday, February 21, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, and Sunday, February 24, 12pm - 4pm.

Ballyclare information nights - Tuesday, February 26, 7pm - 9pm, and Saturday, March 2, 10am - 2pm.

Application packs are available from Glengormley Fire Station, Ballyclare Fire Station, Valley Leisure Centre, Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballyclare Library and Ballyearl Arts & Leisure Centre.

Further details about the recruitment process are available online at www.nifrs.org, or by telephoning 028 2564 3370.

The closing date for applications is Friday, March 8 at 3pm.