Fire and rescue service volunteers reach an all time high

The 73 new Community Action Team members for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

This week a number of newly recruited volunteers have been out on the streets of Greater Manchester helping to keep people safe in the run up to Bonfire Night.

The 73 new Community Action Team members means that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) now has almost 200 volunteers - who support firefighters and other community safety staff to deliver vital prevention activities.

After completing training the new members headed out into the community to undertake a number of key activities such as delivering Home Fire Risk Assessments (HFRAs), carrying out arson patrols, which included looking out for unsafe bonfires, and engaging with local communities.

The training programme included an introduction to GMFRS, a background to volunteering and the wide and diverse range of activities involved. The new volunteers heard from existing members who gave a flavour of what they will get involved in and received presentations on subjects such as health and safety and HFRAs. They also took part in demonstrations with the fire dogs and acted as casualties in road traffic collision training delivered by firefighters.

Area Manager Dave Keelan, Head of Prevention for GMFRS said: “Since the civil unrest in August it is really pleasing to see the number of requests we have received from people wanting to join our team of volunteers. Our volunteers play an important role in delivering key safety messages across the diverse communities, which was demonstrated by the recent community reassurance and clean up activity following the unrest in Manchester City Centre and Salford.

The next volunteer intake is planned for the end of January 2012 so if you are interested in joining our team please see our website http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/working_for_us/become_a_volunteer.aspx