The Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) captain is looking to fill five vacancies for on-call firefighters.

Mr Dawson said residents from all walks of life should consider the opportunity.

”Retained firefighters are on call – from home or work – to respond to fires and other emergencies.” Mr Dawson said.

“It is a paid position, but of course we rely on people from the community to put their hand up.

“Without that support from the community, regional fire stations like ours cannot survive.”

Mr Dawson said retained firefighters were on-call on a part-time basis and needed to find the right balance between work and family commitments.

He said training was provided and included advanced first aid, heavy vehicle driving, and dealing with emergencies such as fires, road accidents, and hazardous material spills, and helping educate the community on fire safety and prevention.

Despite being on call, Mr Dawson said retained firefighters did not have to be available every minute of every day.

“Sharing availability with other retained firefighters can reduce any potential impact on work and private life,” he said.

“We have a tight-knit community here at the station, and it is a great way to stay in shape.”

FRNSW commissioner Paul Baxter said retained firefighters played a critical role in the delivery of fire and emergency services across regional and rural NSW.

“You don’t need to be superman or superwoman to be a firefighter – we want people who are reliable and keen to help others, especially local residents who are available to respond to emergencies during the day,” he said.

“If you’re a local employer, think about encouraging your staff to become firefighters. Not only will you be helping the community, but your staff will be trained in a whole range of skills.”

For more information on becoming a retained firefighter, contact the FRNSW Zone Office on 4472 3042 or visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au.