EFD840
02-04-2004, 10:38 AM
Here's a recruitment idea from across the pond that sounds great to me. I wonder if anyone over here is doing something along these lines? I know most vollie stations couldn't pay someone but you might could recruit some retirees. Whadda ya think? Would it work/help over here?
Here's the story on the BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3456071.stm)
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'999 nannies' to aid fire fighters
The nannies must live or work within four minutes of their fire station
Cornwall Fire Brigade is aiming to recruit more retained firefighters by employing a group of "999 nannies".
The county's fire service is putting free crèches in some fire stations to encourage more women and parents with young children to sign up.
And like the retained firefighters, the nannies who will run the crèches must live or work within four minutes of their fire station to ensure a quick response in the event of a fire.
The daytime childcare scheme will be run in a number of Cornish towns and villages as part of the £35,000 project, said to be the first of its kind in the country.
'Retainer salary'
The new nannies will receive a retainer salary and, in the event of a fire, an additional call-out fee and an hourly wage.
About two-thirds of Cornwall County Fire Brigade's staff are retained fire-fighters and the county currently has a 10% shortage.
The brigade says its recruitment problems are due to the rural nature of the county and its sparse population.
Cornwall's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mark Yates, said: "In Cornwall we try to encourage anyone to think about becoming a potential recruit, but perhaps single parents felt they did not have that choice.
"This initiative will not solve all our recruitment problems, but it will at least give single parents with childminding problems the opportunity to serve their communities." New retained firefighters are given training, a free uniform and personal protective equipment.
The free crèche facilities will be trialled at Helston, Newquay, Perranporth and Redruth from April.
If the trial is successful, stations across the county could get similar childcare facilities.
Here's the story on the BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3456071.stm)
---------------
'999 nannies' to aid fire fighters
The nannies must live or work within four minutes of their fire station
Cornwall Fire Brigade is aiming to recruit more retained firefighters by employing a group of "999 nannies".
The county's fire service is putting free crèches in some fire stations to encourage more women and parents with young children to sign up.
And like the retained firefighters, the nannies who will run the crèches must live or work within four minutes of their fire station to ensure a quick response in the event of a fire.
The daytime childcare scheme will be run in a number of Cornish towns and villages as part of the £35,000 project, said to be the first of its kind in the country.
'Retainer salary'
The new nannies will receive a retainer salary and, in the event of a fire, an additional call-out fee and an hourly wage.
About two-thirds of Cornwall County Fire Brigade's staff are retained fire-fighters and the county currently has a 10% shortage.
The brigade says its recruitment problems are due to the rural nature of the county and its sparse population.
Cornwall's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mark Yates, said: "In Cornwall we try to encourage anyone to think about becoming a potential recruit, but perhaps single parents felt they did not have that choice.
"This initiative will not solve all our recruitment problems, but it will at least give single parents with childminding problems the opportunity to serve their communities." New retained firefighters are given training, a free uniform and personal protective equipment.
The free crèche facilities will be trialled at Helston, Newquay, Perranporth and Redruth from April.
If the trial is successful, stations across the county could get similar childcare facilities.