COUNCILLORS heard efforts are constantly being made to recruit more female firefighters in Dorset after it was announced just two of Dorchester’s retained crew of 30 were women.

Craig Baker, area manager for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, announced the figures after a presentation to members of Dorchester Town Council’s full council meeting.

Mr Baker, who has worked in Dorchester for 10 years, told councillors that Dorchester Fire Station receives 400 calls a year, making it the busiest retained duty fire station in the county.

He added that the station has two fire engines and a crew of 30 retained firefighters.

During his presentation, Mr Baker said: “Across the county, we have an emergency response target to be out the door within five minutes of a call and we aim to get to the incident within 10 minutes.

“We also do a huge amount of preventative fire safety work; including youth engagement, 12,000 home safety checks a year, targeting vulnerable residents and more.”

After the presentation, councillors asked questions regarding the fire service in Dorchester, including rumours that the Poundbury office of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service could close.

Mr Baker moved to reassure councillors that there were no current plans to close the office.

Cllr Stella Jones asked how many of Dorset’s 350 retained fire staff were women, and Mr Baker said the figure stood at just five per cent.

Mr Baker added: “In Dorchester there are two female firefighters out of a retained crew of 35.

“We undertake so many recruitment events and this is something we keep trying as best we can to improve.

“For example, we have previously held events targeted at women - with a group of female firefighters - on various days and times so it may be easier for them to attend.”

Mr Baker also spoke about a ‘huge period of change’ within the fire service due to Dorset’s fire merger, which was given the green light by government earlier this month.

Dorset and Wiltshire fire authorities will merge from April 1, 2016 to create the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

At the meeting, mayor of Dorchester Peter Mann thanked Mr Baker for his presentation, adding: “We have all been very impressed with your professionalism.

“I hope the service to towns and villages in Dorset will be unimpaired after the fire merger.”