Today (5 December) is International Volunteers Day, and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is still recruiting community volunteers – people with a wide range of life experiences who support our protection and prevention work in local communities.
December 5 was designated as International Volunteer Day (IVD by the United Nations in 1985, as an observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.
If your vision for 2023 includes giving back to your community with some voluntary work, why not consider being a volunteer with the fire and rescue service?
With 25 fire stations across the two counties, from the Cotswolds to the mid-Wales border, the service tackles everything from fires to RTCs to animal rescues, making it an exciting and dynamic organization to be part of.
Our volunteers are people from all walks of life who want to do extraordinary things – actively supporting their local community as part of an exciting and dynamic organisation, and helping to reduce the risk to the most vulnerable, especially during these challenging times.
They get involved in a wide variety of activities, including station open days, youth education initiatives, such as Crucial Crew, Young Citizens Challenge and Dying2Drive, and many other community engagement activities to showcase the vital work of HWFRS.
“Their busy programme also takes in supporting our operational crews at training exercises and at fundraising car washes.
Watch Commander Jim Gough, of the Service’s Prevention Department, said:
“Volunteers are extremely valuable members of the HWFRS team who find the experience positive, rewarding and at times challenging. They come from all walks of life, genuinely wanting to make a difference in their communities, and now is the perfect time to join the team.
“Volunteers get involved with Prevention community events talking to vulnerable members of the community, and showcasing the valuable work of HWFRS, as well as supporting fire crews on service exercises and open days and even being covered in gory make up to play casualties.
“Volunteers receive full training, a service uniform as well as an enhanced DBS check and expenses.
“We are looking for people from all communities and backgrounds who are looking to give their valuable time making a genuine difference in their communities and be part of an already fantastic team. If you have always wanted to be part of the Fire Service, this is the time.
“It really is an exciting time to be an HWFRS volunteer and we look forward to welcoming you.”
Station Commander Sara Hall added:
“Today is a great opportunity for volunteers, and volunteer organisations, to raise awareness of the contribution they make to their communities and to celebrate their efforts.
“We are celebrating because Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have some amazing people who volunteer their time. We currently have 17 volunteers across the two counties, but we would welcome even more!
“Amongst the activities they’ve attended in recent years are Covid clinics, community events, station exercises and school visits to name just a few. Volunteers are invaluable in delivering our Prevention Strategy to the most vulnerable people in our areas who we may struggle to reach.
““The work they carry out for us, such as fire safety advice and gathering Home Fire Safety Visit referrals, can literally be life changing and we are very grateful and proud of the work they do.”
Apply by 31 December
You can apply at Community Volunteer in Hereford & Worcester – 67999 | WM Jobs where there is a full description of the activities that Community Volunteers take on. The opportunity is open to people aged 18 and over who receive an enhanced DBS check and you should apply by 31 December 2022.
More information about the role is at www.hwfire.org.uk/join-us/volunteers.