The National Employer Recognition scheme, which will be run locally by fire and rescue services, aims to put a spotlight on employers across the UK who allow staff to be on-call firefighters while they work their day jobs. Instead of working from a firestation, on-call - or retained firefighters - have full-time employment outside of the fire service but respond to emergency calls within their local area when required.

 

The first four certificates were given to firefighters at Skelmanthorpe Fire Station, in Yorshire at the scheme’s launch yesterday. Shahid Malik, who presented the certificates, said: “Without the support of the business community the protection available in more rural areas of the country could be affected. The recognition scheme enables fire and rescue services to say ‘thank you’ for that contribution.

 

“I am also glad to have this opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s admiration for all our on-call firefighters. They are ordinary men and women doing an extraordinary job for the fire and rescue service by protecting their communities and saving lives.”

 

As part of the national launch, the Government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, presented certificates at Billingshurst Fire Station in West Sussex to local employers Langrex, Peter Potter, Suters Butchers, and A& H Europe for supporting the scheme.

 

More than 14,000 on-call firefighters are employed in the UK, which represents around 30 per cent of operational firefighters.