A new recruitment drive to find volunteers who are willing to help make their communities safer is being launched by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.
The service is looking for new members for its Community Volunteers Team - who help deliver the safety message across Cumbria.
Volunteers can be trained to get involved in a range of activities, including:
- Organising or even carrying out free home fire safety checks and fitting free smoke alarms
- Spreading the message on fire hazards by distributing information locally
- Assisting at events and community days
- Becoming involved in campaigns and speaking to local residents about community and road safety issues
- Helping to clean up and make homes habitable after they've been hit by fire or floods
- Helping older and vulnerable people carry out preventative activities,such as helping to clean ovens and grills
Each member of the Community Volunteers Team will be given training, a uniform, paid out of pocket expenses and will operate within a formal structure to ensure high standards of service.
One such volunteer is Workington-based David Tattersall - who has been delivering the road safety message in schools and at community days after being involved in a traffic collision in 2002 which left him seriously injured and unable to speak without a microphone pressed to his larynx. He said:
"I have been actively involved in community safety issues and road awareness training with Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service. My involvement grew through my interest in community issues and I also enjoy meeting the public and listening to their concerns. It's an important job to get the safety message across and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Cumbria's roads."
Cllr Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member responsible for community safety, said:
"Volunteering is about doing something positive and the message here is people can make a difference. Whatever your skills and knowledge, the most important thing is you and how you can make a lasting impact on your community. Please get in touch and make Cumbria a safer place."
To receive further information and an application pack please call 01900 820 247 or email volunteers@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Notes
The attached jpeg shows David Tattersall giving a presentation on road safety.
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Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Follow this link to view more information on Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service