THE county’s fire service is calling on members of the public to sign up for its part-time cohort.

Officers at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) are seeking to recruit part-time firefighters in the Newton Aycliffe area.

The recruitment drive for retained duty system (RDS), or part-time firefighters, has been sparked after two RDS crew transferred to become full time firefighters with CDDFRS, one retirement and one RDS firefighter moved to a fulltime police role.

Phil Innis, district manager for Darlington district, covering Newton Aycliffe Fire Station, said: “RDS firefighters are trained to the same high standards as whole-time staff and they provide vital response cover across County Durham and Darlington.

“Several of our stations are operated only by RDS staff. It is crucial for the community that we have retained firefighters who live close to the station. We hope to attract people from all walks of life, who may not have considered taking up this important role in the past; we would urge them to apply and go through the training.

“We are particularly looking for firefighters to provide daytime cover in Newton Aycliffe.”

Retained firefighters are paid an annual fee of between £2,202 and £2,935 based on being available the standard 120 hours per week.

They also receive an hourly rate for time spent at an incident or in training, as well as a disturbance payment per call out.

For more information call Mr Innis on 01325 469128 or email pinnis@ddfire.gov.uk

Alternatively, visit www.ddfire.gov.uk