BUDDING firefighters are being urged to sign up to the on-call service in Dorset - after one station said it did not have enough staff to attend a car crash at a tourist hotspot.

A crew from Poole Fire Station had to stand in to help colleagues at Wareham Fire Station, which did not have enough firefighters to attend a crash in east Lulworth on Monday, January 24.

The Lulworth area is famed for being the home to Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Lulworth Castle.

A spokeswoman from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service (DWFRS), said: "We were called to east Lulworth at 1.09pm after a single vehicle road traffic collision.

"Two crews from Poole attended and were able to assist one person from the car before making the scene safe. The stop was at 1.51pm."

A spokeswoman from Wareham Fire Station said: "Sadly, we didn’t have enough on-call firefighters on duty at Wareham Fire Station to go to a road traffic collision at Lulworth.

"Our colleagues at Poole Fire Station attended. We need more firefighters at Wareham."

DWFRS is looking for new on-call firefighters.

Local fire stations, including Wareham, Maiden Newton, Bere Regis and Cranborne, have opportunities for anyone who could provide availability during the day or at weekends, and flexible contracts for those who work shift systems can be offered.

On-call firefighters are expected to respond to emergencies during whatever periods of cover have been agreed. A firefighter can be called to a wide range of incidents, such as commercial and domestic fires, road traffic collisions, rescues from height or water, animal rescue or flooding.

Station Manager Neil Tidball, the on-call development manager, said: "The role of a firefighter is very rewarding, and it requires determination, courage, motivation, and a genuine desire to serve the community. Successful candidates will become part of a well-trained workforce, earning additional income, and gaining transferable skills such as first aid, driving qualifications and health & safety knowledge – which can also benefit them in their primary employment.”

If you’re interested in applying to be an on-call firefighter – or you’re a local employer with staff who may want to offer availability – please visit www.dwfire.org.uk/on-call-firefighters or call Station Manager Neil Tidball on 07827 356549.