A pilot scheme aimed at boosting the number of retained firefighters could be launched at three Cornish fire stations.

The project, costing £350,000 for a year, is to be put to the county council next month as a priority measure.

"We have exceptionally good firefighters in our service," said Ken Yeo, executive member for public protection on Cornwall County Council.

"What we are attempting to do is improve and enhance that."

The scheme, on the drawing board for more than two years, is an attempt to make the service more attractive.

Retained firefighters have to live and work within a few minutes of a fire station in order to answer call-outs promptly.

But as working patterns have changed, fewer people are available to fly out of the door at the drop of a hat, and fewer bosses are understanding about employees suddenly having to leave work.

In the past, retained firefighters have been paid an annual sum of around £6,000 plus a further payment for each call-out. They are contracted to answer 71 per cent of their calls.

The new scheme would essentially pay a higher retainer and put them on a rota, which means they would have to respond to a call at certain times.

Under the pilot system, the retained crew member would undertake three hours of training a week, rather than the two hours at present.

It is hoped this would attract retained firefighters who could not give their time during the day, but were free at weekends and overnight.

The three fire stations which will pilot the scheme have not yet been decided.

It is anticipated that those identified will include a retained fire station with one fire engine, a retained fire station with two fire engines and a day-staffed full-time fire station that has a retained response overnight.

Cllr Yeo said if accepted during next month's budget meeting, the scheme could start by the middle of summer.

Cornwall's Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden welcomed the innovation.

"A retained working group, made up of retained personnel and whole-time fire brigade officers, has developed a proposal that will provide flexible working conditions, emergency cover provision and a work-life balance suitable for modern society," he said.

Andrew Mitchell, who chaired the Single Issue Panel, which came up with the original plan for the scheme, said: "Every firefighter in Cornwall County Fire Brigade, whether full-time or retained, is a professional who serves the authority and the people of Cornwall extremely well.

"I believe the greatest threat to property and life in Cornwall is any failure in our retained system and I am glad the council is proposing putting money into this area."

Cornwall County Fire Brigade has 31 fire stations, 24 entirely staffed by retained firefighters with retained back-up to the remaining seven whole-time fire stations.

Last year, the WMN reported there were 33 vacant posts in the ranks of retained firefighters across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, mostly in the latter two counties.

Source: thisiscornwall.co.uk