IF you’re passionate about changing lives in your community and want to contribute to saving lives by reducing the risk of incidents, then being a firefighter might be the role for you.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service does not just fight fires and rescue people.

In fact, only around five per cent of a firefighter’s time is spent attending incidents.

They are actively involved in their communities, carrying out prevention work to reduce the chance of fires happening in the first place, delivering road safety campaigns to reduce the number of road traffic collisions and working closely with young people.

As a firefighter, you will have the opportunity to make a difference within your community, working as part of a team and enjoying a varied career earning more than £29,000 within 18 months when gaining competency. Other benefits include working in an environment where the health, safety and wellbeing of staff are key priorities, coupled with generous family friendly policies and opportunities to apply for flexible working arrangements.

For anyone considering a career as a firefighter you can attend a taster session try out the practical tests, speak to serving firefighters and learn more about the application process:

One will be taking place on Friday, July 20 from 11am to 3pm at Warrington Fire Station on Winwick Road.

The initial stages of the recruitment process will be undertaken online and will be made available on the service’s website from 10am on Wednesday, July 18, closing at 10am on Friday, July 27.

Chief fire officer Mark Cashin, said: "Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has transformed in recent years to become one of the best performing and innovative fire and rescue services in the country, acknowledged by many awards and accolades.

"We are looking for men and women with a wholehearted commitment and willingness to work hard as part of a team.

“The application process is designed to give everyone, irrespective of their professional or personal background, an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to be a firefighter.

“I would therefore urge anyone who wants to make a difference within their communities and to change and save lives, to come and talk to us or contact us via the website.”

The Service's on-call recruitment campaign will continue to run alongside the wholetime recruitment initiative.