ON-CALL heroes who risk their lives at a moment's notice are becoming a dying breed in rural areas.

Typists, plumbers, farmers, shopkeepers and the array of other workers who have, in the past, offered to fight fire at the sound of a beeper are no longer rushing to the front line.

Dedicated crews of retained fire-fighters currently man 33 of Cumbria's 38 fire stations.

They are still battling infernos, rescuing trapped animals and baling out flood-hit residents.

But recruitment has fallen.

Divisional officer Keran Stalker, of Cumbria Fire Service, who is responsible for recruiting locally, told the Gazette: "It is getting increasingly difficult to attract people, which is becoming a real concern."

A recent drive to bring fresh blood to local lifesaving crews failed to fuel many burning ambitions to serve the community.

Nationally, thousands of retained posts in England and Wales stand empty.

Latest figures show just under 12,000 firefighters were employed part-time last year - about 3,000 short of full strength.

Cumbria Fire Service, which has 277 'whole-time' personnel and 470 retained officers, has about 25 vacancies - 14 of which are across South Lakeland and Furness.

More than 40 people have applied for vacancies at fire stations in Coniston, Dalton, Grange, Kirkby Lonsdale, Staveley, Ulverston and Windermere.

But Mr Stalker said several of those could only offer their time at evenings and weekends.

The deadline for applications has been extended to the end of January.

Cumbria Fire Service has ten female fire fighters, and is striving to attract more women.

Other ideal candidates for the posts include shift workers and self-employed people, who tend to work in their local community.

"This county relies to a very large extent on retained fire fighters, and it is an essential service," stressed Mr Stalker.

"It is something that gives a great amount of satisfaction, because you are serving the local community and providing a valuable service which can mean life or death."

He added that modern day life had played a part in the downward trend in recruitment figures, especially in small communities.

Retained firefighters traditionally worked in their town of residence, he said, and were released by their employer when necessary.

But, increasingly, rural areas saw residents commuting to work, and today's competitive markets meant employers could not always spare their staff.

Mr Stalker urged employers to support the Fire Service and enable retained officers to attend emergencies, adding that without the co-operation of companies like Kentmere Ltd, where a number of retained fire fighters work, there would not be as many staff at rural fire stations.

l Anyone interested in becoming a retained fire-fighter should be aged between 18 and 55, have good eyesight without glasses or contact lenses, good hearing and pass a medical examination.

Successful candidates will attend a training course over 12 days in May at Barrow Fire Station.

A final interview will determine whether individuals are suitable for the role.

For an application form and further details contact 01900-820262 or write to Chief Fire Officer, Cumbria Fire Service HQ, Station Road, Cockermouth, CA13 9PR.

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