MORE retained firefighters than ever before will be providing fire cover across Kendal thanks to a successful recruitment drive by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

The picture shows Kendal's six newest firefighters at Barrow fire station's training centre, where they took part in a passing out ceremony in front of Cumbria's chief fire officer Bernard Dolan.

The latest batch of recruits brings Kendal's compliment of retained firefighters up to a record 19.

Retained firefighters crew nine in ten of the county's fire engines, and before joining the service recruits must take part in an exacting fitness test during which they have to demonstrate their suitability for the service in a series of ladder, hose and breathing apparatus exercises.

Recruits who pass this stage then have to undergo an intensive training course that takes in firefighting techniques, different rescue procedures, theory tests and the full range of other skills essential in the modern fire service.

Only when recruits pass this phase are they accepted into the service. The training does not stop there, with retained firefighters required to undertake weekly training nights throughout their service.

Changes to crewing arrangements in Kendal, which come into force in April, will see retained firefighters taking over night-time cover from their regular colleagues in the town between 8pm and 8am.

The changes were agreed by Cumbria County Council last year and are intended to free up more investment for fire prevention work that has led to a two-thirds reduction in fire injuries across Cumbria over last four years.

In addition to their normal training, Kendal's retained firefighters have also been schooled in specialist skills like swift water rescue and the operation of the town's high-volume pump, which has the ability to transfer 7,000 litres of water per minute.

Anyone interested in becoming a retained firefighter can find more information by logging on to the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service website at: www.cumbria fire.gov.uk.