Reporter Alex Winter joined crews at Chippenham Fire Station to learn the ropes of firefighter training

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is desperate to attract new part-time retained recruits so I donned a uniform to find out what the training might include.

The day at Chippenham Fire Station started with an explanation of what it may hold, which included terrifying words like ‘dangle’, ‘lift’, ‘climb’ and ‘machinery that can crush a car’.

Then I put my size 4 feet into size 10 boots and turned a hose onto a building.

Although the exercise was just practice, Station Commander Dave Geddes knows next time it could be for real. Mr Geddes said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to give something back to your local community.

“If you work in Chippenham, it would be worth asking your employer if you could provide stand-by cover in the day, as that's when we really need the extra people. Potential recruits need to be aged 18 or over, and be able to pass the various recruitment and selection tests. They should either live or work within four minutes of the fire station.”

Firefighters are called to many road accidents and their quick action can save lives. On the training ground there were five scrap cars that are used for practice with dummies that weigh as much as a fully-grown man.

Firefighter Mark Miller said: “We do a lot of training with equipment designed to safely rescue people who have been trapped in their cars after a collision.”

That afternoon, I found myself dangling precariously from Black Dog Bridge as the fire crew demonstrated their winching equipment.

Open evenings are to be held at Chippenham fire station on January 31 or February 14 between 7pm and 9pm.

Recruits are also needed at Calne and Corsham. Visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk