Join the Fire Family and help make a difference in your community by volunteering

Volunteers are being sought to help make a difference in communities by becoming part of the “fire family” at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS).

TWFRS currently has 60 volunteers assisting in a wide range of activities. Volunteers support us by attending a variety of community events such as Pride, Eid, Chinese New Year, Safe Ramadan and many more. Volunteers also help with open days at fire stations, an array of safety initiatives, leaflet drops, promotional events, home safety checks as well as recruitment events.

Grant Brotherton Head of Prevention and Education at TWFRS said: “Volunteers were introduced into TWFRS in 2013 and the programme has grown over that time to become a thriving network of capable and enthusiastic individuals who give their time selflessly to help our staff.

“Volunteers assist us in a number of key activities and initiatives and their contribution has allowed us to support even more members of the community and helped keep people in Tyne and Wear safe from the risks of fire.”

TWFRS offers volunteers both internal and external training – from fire safety in the home to Dementia Friends.

All upcoming events are emailed to volunteers on a weekly basis, and they can sign up to whatever suits them best. TWFRS is flexible, so volunteers can fit their commitment to the Service around work or other responsibilities.

Volunteers are asked to be able to commit to a minimum of 15 hours per month.

Louise Coulthard Crew Manager for the Newcastle Prevention and Education Team said: “Community volunteers are an asset to TWFRS and make a valued contribution to the service and the communities of Tyne and Wear. I regularly request the help of volunteers for home safety checks, community events, fire safety talks and many other activities. Their help and support is invaluable and they bring with them a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience that really adds to our team.”

Community Engagement Co-ordinator Anne-Marie Watson explains more:

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for TWFRS, please fill in an expression of interest form. If you prefer, you can pick one up from your local fire station.

Of if you’d like an informal chat with the team who support the volunteers and current volunteers within the Service you can come along to one of our upcoming drop-in sessions.