MARLOW fire station is hoping to fill its four vacancies for retained firefighters at an open evening on Tuesday.

Watch manager Richard Boast and his crew are hoping to meet men and women at their drill night at the station in Parkway on Tuesday between 7pm and 10pm who could join the crew and bring the station up to its full strength of 14 part-time firefighters. They will also be available today between 1am and 2pm.

As a retained service, Marlow crew members are not based at the station, but are on standby waiting to be called out, either from home or from a job that allows them to leave work to attend an emergency call. Assistant chief fire officer Andy Hickmott, director of personnel, said: "We are hoping that people who haven't previously considered applying will stop and ask themselves whether they can, in fact, provide cover at critical times of the day or night.

"For example, someone who can be on call for the six hours between the morning and afternoon school runs, coupled with some evening and weekend hours, can make the difference between Marlow being available or off the run'."

Last year Marlow fire crews attended 240 emergency incidents. Their busiest month was August, when they were called out 38 times. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically fit and live or work near the fire station.

To find out more about working as an RDS firefighter in Marlow, or if you are an employer interested in allowing your employees to participate, ring 01296 744670 or email rdsrecruitment@bucksfire.gov.uk