Volunteers at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) are dedicated, motivated and compassionate individuals, who make a big difference to the people they help and support. 
 
And to start the new year, KFRS is looking for new recruits to join its growing team of volunteers to help saves lives and make Kent and Medway a safe place to live and work. 
 
Vicky Trinkwon joined as a seasonal events volunteer last year after her two children became teenagers and she found herself with extra time during school holidays. 

Vicky said: “I love being a volunteer. It’s fun, engaging and everyone around you just wants to help. 
 
“Interacting with the people you meet at events gives you such a good feeling that you’ve given back to the community in some way. It could be the simplest task of teaching a child how to call 999 in an emergency that can help to make a big difference one day. 
 
“If you’ve got the time and you want to give something back, then be a volunteer. It’s the best thing you’ll do.”  
 
The roles available include events volunteers, which will include playing a pivotal part at a range of occasions, from fire station open days and award ceremonies, to hosting pop-up stalls at shopping centre stalls and school fetes. 
 
There’s also the option of being a seasonal events volunteer, like Vicky, to assist during busier months, such as school holidays. 
 
The event volunteers provide valuable support by interacting with the public and delivering life-saving information to people of all ages. 
 
The other roles available are within the volunteer response team (VRT). 
 
Dedicated VRT members offer support 24/7, 365 days a year, at a range of emergencies, where they provide welfare to crews and invaluable support to people who have been impacted, such as someone who has had a house fire. 
 
The team provide reassurance and advice to people who have been affected by an incident, as well as working in partnership with agencies such as utility companies, charities and local authorities, to ensure the necessary assistance is available. 

KFRS Volunteering Manager Jess Antoniou said: “The range of volunteering opportunities we have is so varied, giving people the opportunity to use their skills, meet new people, gain invaluable experience, and help us to save lives through prevention and education in the wider community.
 
“It takes an inspirational person to be a volunteer and we’re fortunate to have a great team here at KFRS, which we’re excited to be expanding with these new vacancies. Our ethos is to love what you do, and that's exactly what we do as volunteers.”
 
Applications can be submitted until Tuesday, 6 February 2024.