Escalating house prices and the changing social pattern in Chagford have left the town with a desperate shortage of retained firefighters. Now the Devon Fire and Rescue Service has put out an urgent call for more men and women to come forward and join them before the unthinkable happens. 'When you dial 999 and ask for the fire brigade you expect an engine to appear within a few minutes,' said spokesman, Janet Booth. 'Devon Fire and Rescue Service has been experiencing difficulty in finding sufficient crew in Chagford to ride the appliance, particularly during the day and are very keen to recruit new personnel to train as firefighters.' The service said that as house prices in the affluent moorland community continued to rise beyond the reach of many working people, and small businesses closed, so the source of retained firefighters diminished. 'Your firefighters are builders, housewives, postal workers and shopkeepers, in fact they come from all and every walk of life,' said Mrs Booth. 'The only thing they have in common is that they have all decided to put something back into the community.' Teignbridge MP, Richard Younger-Ross, has described the situation as 'absolutely terrifying' and said that having to rely on fire engines to come in from elsewhere was dangerous. 'The narrow roads in and around Chagford can be slow at the best of times and if residents have to rely on fire crews coming from places such as Bovey Tracey then we must expect there to be a significant additional risk,' he said. 'By the time they arrive a relatively minor situation could have deteriorated and developed into a major fire with the all too familiar and absolutely terrifying consequences.' He said he had urged the Dartmoor National Park Authority to adopt a policy used in some parts of south east England where new homes were created specifically for key workers. Retained firefighters receive a £2,585 per year retainer plus an hourly wage of £11.80 and disturbance payment on £3.39 when on duty. Those wanting to join the service should call 01392 872331 or drop into the Chagford station any Wednesday at 7pm.
