Volunteering

The Fire and Emergency Support Service
The Fire and Emergency Support Service is a team of volunteers who respond on an 'on call' basis. They work via a rota which is compiled the previous month. Volunteers are asked which shifts they can cover, and once everyone has sent in their availability the rota is compiled and sent out. That way, volunteers know in advance which shifts they have been allocated, a pager is supplied.
They ask that volunteers do a minimum of 4 shifts a month. It's highly unlikely they will be called out every shift, they simply need to be available if required. Each shift is 12 hours long. 6am to 6pm, and 6pm to 6am. Whilst this may seem a lot of time to give up - if you were traveling to do a volunteer role once a week, then working there all day - not much difference. Only with FESS, you mostly spend that time at home, or doing what you would normally do.
As they use a vehicle based at South Woodham Ferrers, volunteers need to be able to get to that vehicle within a max of 45mins of being called out. So if not local, they will need a car.
If you wish for something more active, they also need people on the team to help at events, and attend exercises with the fire service, police, and councils. You could go to a centre each week to learn first aid.  There are also visits planned to the Coastguard, Environment Agency and various fire stations. They supply training and a uniform, and mileage is paid. If you are interested please phone Emily on 01702 356060.