SINGING firefighter Richard Donnell is spearheading a new recruitment drive, encouraging more people in Wyre Forest to combine an on call role in the fire service with another job.

On call recruits like Richard, from Kidderminster, make up more than 60 per cent of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue's operational firefighters, who dedicate a minimum of 40 hours each week to the emergency service, while also maintaining a separate career.

At the weekend, the 25-year-old X-Factor star tours the UK performing at weddings and private hire events, but during the week he dons his fire tunic, boots and helmet while supporting communities in Wyre Forest with fires and rescues.

Richard said: "I became an on-call firefighter in 2017 as I wanted a career that offered structure, but allowed the flexibility I needed to pursue my other job.

"I visited one of the drill nights at Kidderminster Fire Station, met some of the crew and officers and got hooked.

"My commitment to the fire service fits really well with my bookings and gigs – I can just book off-call and then make up the hours during the week as required.”

Richard carries a bleeper and has to be at the fire station within five minutes of the emergency call to join the rest of his crew.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

He gets called out between one and five times a week and attends a weekly drill night at the station, practicing procedures and learning new skills for fighting fires or dealing with road traffic collisions.

"My singing means I spend a lot of time on my own, travelling between gigs, but the Fire and Rescue Service gives me a team to belong to, keeps me fit, and gives me a sense of achievement as I develop my core skills and use them to help people in my community who are in a serious situation," said Richard.

“I’m amazed every week at the variety of the incidents we are called to attend – it’s not just fires, but making safe RTCs, helping to find missing persons, or rescuing large animals.

"We have training to ensure we’re skilled in doing all of these, or even identifying if someone has mental health issues which makes them vulnerable and in need of support. Genuinely, every call-out is different.”

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service is looking for more people like Richard to consider combining a role in the fire service with other careers.

A service spokesman said: "On call firefighters combine their roles with other careers, or roles at home, providing a vital service to the community in which they live and work.

"Some work for local businesses, others are self-employed, while others are home-makers - but all enjoy the balance of their firefighter commitments with their other responsibilities, and the extra income too, knowing that they are saving more lives."

For more information visit hwfire.org.uk/on-call.