Conservative politicians are lobbying big business in an attempt to solve a shortage of volunteer firefighters in Pembrokeshire.
The part time firefighters are essential for keeping eight local fire stations in the county open.
But a combination of factors, including large firms not allowing staff to be on call as firefighters whilst at work, has led to a shortage of volunteer firecrew.
Now local parliamentary candidate Simon Hart and Assembly Member Angela Burns are lobbying major employers to ask them to be more supportive.
They learned about the problem during a tour of Whitland fire station – one of the many kept open thanks to retained firefighters.
In Whitland the firefighting crew also hold down jobs ranging from council driver and farmer to carpenter and shop keeper.
But to cover daytime shifts as retained firefighters they have to be able to reach the station within a few minutes of a call.
“That’s why we are especially short of crew to cover the daytime shifts,” explained Station Manager Simon Pearson.
“We may have enough people who live close enough to the station for night calls but we also need people who can get there quickly from work.
“We find that some of the larger employers are not very accommodating when it comes to allowing retained firefighters to be on call while they are at work.”
Carmarthen West AM Mrs Burns said: “I think it’s very short-sighted and disappointing that big companies won’t let their staff be on call in case they get called in.
“These major employers can surely spare one person for a few hours on the rare occasions they’ll get called out – and they never know when they themselves will be in need of help from the fire service.”
Mr Pearson also spelled out other reasons for the recruitment problems.
“We have also lost people when companies have centralised operations and closed local outposts,” added Mr Pearson.
In Whitland, for example, the closure of the milk factory led to the loss of four retained firefighters.
“I think there’s also less sense of public duty among youngsters these days which may have added to the problem,” added Mrs Burns.
Mr Hart was impressed by the dedication and professionalism shown by the retained firefighters.
“The crew obviously get a huge sense of satisfaction from doing something so worthwhile and the camaraderie in the team was great to see,” he said.
“It’s a pity that they don’t get more support from employers and I’ve now written to one of the biggest employers in the county to ask them to consider supporting retained fire crew.”
Firefighter David Lewis, who is a mechanic in a Whitland garage by day, has been a crew member for 11 years.
“I would never give it up now, I love the job so much,” he said. “I still get an adrenaline rush when the bleeper goes off, you just never know what it might be.”
To be a retained firefighter you must be at least 18. Check out www.mawwfire.gov.uk or visit your local fire station to find out more.
