WITH an increasing reliance on the use of on-call firefighters in Cumbria we spoke to the wife of one who has talked about the impact the role has on a family.

Proposals to restructure the spread of on-call and full-time firefighters in Barrow and Ulverston could see the full-time Ulverston crew only manning their station between 8am and 8pm.

In the evenings, Ulverston's on-call crew would be available for call-outs while a new on-call Barrow crew would be created to support Barrow's single full-time crew.

Fire bosses have said the changes would allow them to "move resources around to make our engines available more often" and with existing on-call crews already operating from 36 of the county's 38 stations the service is set to become more reliant on the 'part-time' firefighters.

Cumbria's chief fire officer Steve Healey said: "The retained firefighter is the backbone of this fire service. We are looking to use our resources differently. Part of this consultation is being able to move our resources around to make our engines available more often. Prior to 2014 we only had retained firefighters in Ulverston."

On-call firefighters must be available for around 90 hours a week and are paid a fixed annual retainer of up to £2,935 as well as a fee per call-out. Most also have full-time jobs.

Recruiting for the on-call crew on Walney has historically been a struggle and the wife of one firefighter has given her view on the job's impact on a firefighter's family.

Although immensely proud of her firefighter husband, mum-of-two Kerry Wilkinson said there are also some downsides to having an on-call firefighter in the house.

"What Mike does and is willing to do is inspiring and we couldn't be prouder of him," she said.

"But for a wife, partner or their children it does have its downsides.

"On-call firefighters have to be within five minutes of the station at all times when on call and on Walney that means you can't leave the island. They can't do the school run or pick up some shopping and everything has to be planned right down to the last minute.

"If I want to spend an evening with the girls it has to be planned with military precision so Mike is able to look after the children. We've been in church and in the middle of a school nativity when his alerter has gone off and it can be hard not to feel resentful at times."

The couple's two children, Enzo and Faith, "love having their dad turn up to their school playground with the big red engine and the elephant mascot".

But some of the incidents a firefighter attends - whether they are on-call or part-time, can be particularly difficult for parents to see.

"Mike loves the thrill of the job and not knowing what you're going to next but the thrill changed for Mike one morning when I was pregnant with Faith," Mrs Wilkinson recalled.

"Mike had been to a car that had crashed off a bridge into water. They pulled a gentleman out and got him to safety but what Mike found difficult was that there was an empty car seat in the car. Was there a child in the water? Was the car seat empty before the accident?

"I couldn't begin to imagine what a father-to-be or any dad would be thinking. When he came home he was white as a sheet and really quiet. That was just one of the incidents Mike has had to overcome emotionally and mentally."

A spokesman for the council said: "Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service values and appreciates the contribution made by on call firefighters, and their families’, to the service and to the county.

"The requirements of the role are made clear to anyone looking to apply and applicants do not become on call firefighters without understanding what is expected and how it may affect their life. We are grateful that so many choose to make that commitment."