SILSDEN'S retained fire station is one of seven stations across West Yorkshire hunting for new recruits.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service issued its appeal for additional retained fire fighters, now known as "on-call fire fighters" last Thursday. (Oct 9)

It needs people prepared to work on a standby basis to provide daytime cover at the Silsden facility, along with six other stations including Ilkley and Otley.

A spokesman for the service explained: "For the first time, we are in a position to consider more flexible on-call contracts in the hope that this will give people with family and other work commitments an opportunity.

"On-call firefighters are paid to work on a standby system, sometimes as a second job. They must live or work within one mile of the fire station, or be able to reach their station within five minutes of receiving a call.

"The recruiting stations need daytime cover between 8am and 5pm. On-call firefighters respond from either work or home."

The service has organised taster sessions at its Birkenshaw headquarters, so anyone interested in applying can try their hand at training exercises and meet current on-call fire fighters.

To register an interest in attending visit westyorksfire.gov.uk and complete the online form.

Chairman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, councillor Judith Hughes, said she hoped the flexible contract would attract a more diverse cross-section of the community.

“This is an exciting opportunity for someone who would like to become a fire fighter to serve their community," she said. "The fire service is traditionally seen as a male career and this is not the case anymore.

"I want to champion a change to this stereotype and appeal to women to have a go at one of our awareness sessions.”