Press Releases >
County Council's fire and rescue service says thank you to employers
15 March 2010
Norfolk County Council's fire and rescue service is to say a big thank you to some of the people who play a particularly crucial role but who are sometimes overlooked - the employers of Retained firefighters.
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday March 16) Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is holding an reception at its Bowthorpe Training Centre for some of the employers who allow their staff respond to emergencies across Norfolk whenever they are needed.
The employers will be thanked by Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott and will then watch a number of demonstrations by several of the county's Retained crews including rescuing a casualty following a mock road traffic collision and carrying out a rescue from a 'smoke-filled house'.
Richard Elliott, Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk said:"In Norfolk we are heavily reliant upon our firefighters who work on a retained basis – in fact 39 of our 41 fire stations have at least one retained fire crew. These are people who live and work in their community and who carry a pager allowing them to respond to emergencies.
When our retained firefighters are alerted they must leave whatever they are doing for their main employer and turn out to crew our fire engines. This means we are hugely reliant on the goodwill and commitment of those employers, without whom our service would not exist. I am delighted to be able to hold this reception for representatives for a number of our employers."
Harry Humphrey, Cabinet Member of Fire and Community Protection said: "This evening is a chance to say a big thank you to the employers of our Retained firefighters. To allow employees the flexibility to leave their duties at a moment's notice takes a great deal of understanding. Having said that there are major benefits to employing a Retained firefighter such as having a members of staff who is first aid trained, fire aware and used to working in a disciplined team. I know not all employers are able to attend on Tuesday but I extend my thanks to them all and hope that those who are able to come have an enjoyable evening."
For further information -Contact Us
| 
