COURAGEOUS people in Thornbury are needed as part of a drive for more part-time firefighters.

The town’s station is hiring Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters to help their fulltime colleagues.

RDS firefighters use the same fire engines and equipment as fulltime firefighters but are on call from their homes or places of work rather than a fire station.

As such, RDS firefighters need to live or work within five minutes travelling distance of their retained station during their hours of declared availability.

Applicants should be at least 18-years-old when their training starts and will need to be fit enough to pass a physical test and medical examination.

Station manager Shane Saunders said: “Becoming a retained firefighter is a really worthwhile way to make a positive impact on the place in which you live and work.

“The hours can be very flexible and there is a great sense of team spirit among the RDS firefighters, who are a vital part of the Avon Fire & Rescue Service family.”

Applicants will need to be available for a certain number of hours each week and able to attend weekly training nights on Mondays.

Mr Saunders said the station was particularly in need of cover on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.

RDS firefighters are paid an annual fee as well as call-out and attendance fees.

To find out more visit www.avonfire.gov.uk/recruitment-home/retained-firefighter