FIREFIGHTERS in North Devon have launched a major recruitment drive for on-call firefighters across most of the fire stations in the northern part of the county, including Holsworthy.

A number of fire stations have held recruitment events in a bid to encourage members of the community to join the team in their local town or village.

Group manager, Mike Porter, said: “Most of the fire stations just need one or two more people to put themselves forward and provide cover at certain times, usually during weekdays.

“When there is an emergency incident, we want to be able to send the nearest available fire engine and we need the support of local people to help keep those fire engines crewed as often as possible.”

Fire crews will be delivering leaflets, talking to local residents, and are inviting anyone who is interested to come to their local fire station for a chat.

Applicants needs to be aged over 18, have a good level of fitness and be able to attend the fire station within five minutes from home or a place of work when they are on duty.

Contracts for full and part-time cover are available to help people tailor their availability around the needs of the home life and the requirements of the service.

More information about being an on-call firefighter is available on the service website, at www.dsfire.gov.uk/WorkingForUs