New post to help employers support on-call firefighters

The Island's Fire & Rescue Service has appointed an 'Employers’ Liaison Office'r to provide advice and support to businesses with staff who are, or want to become, an on-call firefighter.

As being an 'on-call firefighter' is a part-time position, the majority of people who hold the post, also have a full-time job.

However, the service says releasing staff can be difficult for some businesses.

As a result, Divisional Officer Carl Kinvig has been appointed as the Employers’ Liaison Officer. 

Part of his role will be to provide advice to employers about on-call staff, the average call-out time and helping them make an informed decision on how it might work for them.

DO Kinvig said: ‘On-call firefighters provide emergency cover to more than 90 per cent of the Island. All stations outside Douglas are crewed by on-call firefighters, making them an essential part of the Island’s emergency response and for communities. The IoMFRS would simply not work without them.