CAMPAIGNERS have criticised fire service bosses after they appealed for more on-call firefighters in Dovercourt.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it is still “on the look-out” for on-call firefighters, who they said are a “vital” part of the service.

Last year Harwich Town Council said it was concerned about the service’s plan to replace full-time crews with retained firefighters at Dovercourt Fire Station.

It feared there would not always be enough people to crew the town’s four-man engines due to a lack of on-call firefighters.

Harwich councillor Garry Calver said: “When Harwich Town Council raised the issue about the difficulty of recruitment our concerns were dismissed as scaremongering.

“This appeal simply confirms what we have said all along that the Harwich peninsula must retain its full-time firefighters.”

To become an on-call firefighter you must live or work within five minutes of the on-call fire station, be over 18 and be physically fit, though support will be given to help you meet fitness requirements.

Terry Jewell, station manager at Dovercourt, said: “On-call recruitment can be difficult in small towns and rural areas, because nowadays there are fewer people who both live and work in small communities.

“On-call firefighters are a crucial part of local services and communities and the role is unpredictable, exciting and rewarding. I encourage anyone interested to apply.”

On-call firefighters have everyday jobs until their pager sounds - then they become professional firefighters.

The service said on-call firefighters are paid for their efforts and receive thorough training and learn all they need to know about emergency situations.

Anyone interested can drop into Dovercourt Fire Station on April 22 between 10am and 2pm or on a Thursday between 7pm and 9pm.

For more details call 01376 576698 or email oncall.recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk.