THE Fire Brigades Union has called for a dramatic increase in the recruitment of retained fire-fighters as shortages are leaving many areas dangerously undermanned, according to a new report, reports Paul Duncan.

The FBU claims that the fire service needs to recruit at least 3,000 retained fire-fighters across the UK, which could have far-reaching implications for Cumbria, which is largely covered by retained crews.

The report also says that the 14,000 members of the FBU who work the retained duty system are seriously over-stretched at a time when the number of 999 calls received by the service has hit record levels.

Cumbria's chief fire officer Bernard Dolan echoed these fears: "We are becoming stretched in some areas and have been for some time. The difficulties in recruiting and keeping hold of retained fire-fighters have been on-going for a number of years."

He blamed the recruitment problems partly on "outdated" pay and conditions of service.

At the moment, retained fire fighters receive an annual fee and are also paid for each call-out they attend.

According to Mr Dolan, while this can be quite lucrative in busy areas, in quieter locations this method of payment is less attractive.

He also blamed changes in lifestyle expectations in that many people did not want to be tied down to having to be on call 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week in "full cover areas".

Because of the rural nature of Cumbria, many areas cannot sustain a full-time fire station and there are only five in the county.

The majority of fire cover is left to an estimated 465 retained fire officers, most of whom have full-time jobs or live within five minutes of the retained fire station in the community they serve.

The FBU claims that part of the recruitment problem stems from a culture within the service whereby retained fire-fighters are seen merely as a means of providing a fire service "on the cheap".

John Taylor, spokesperson for Lancashire Fire Service, refuted this claim. saying: "They are very important and, frankly, in rural areas using retained fire-fighters is the only workable way of providing a service."

He said that while there might not be as many fires in rural areas, there were often car crashes that required the specialist training and equipment of fire-fighters.

Mandy Walker, human resources officer at Cumbria Fire Service, said that it was a struggle to recruit retained fire-fighters, despite having regular recruitment drives every six months.

She believes that part of the problem could be that employers are unwilling to release employees for service despite the obvious benefits to employers of having a member of staff with valuable skills such as first aid.

According to Mrs Walker, there are many benefits in becoming a retained fire-fighter both for the individual and their employer.

"They are giving a valuable service to the community and the stringent levels of fitness required and training we provide improve health and build confidence."