MORE Dorset and Wiltshire firefighters left the service last year than ever before, new figures show.

It follows a trend across England – where a record number of firefighters also left the industry last year – as unions remain embroiled in a pay dispute during the cost-of-living crisis.

The Fire Brigades Union said low pay alongside tighter budgets is to blame for workers leaving the industry.

Home Office figures show 124 full-time and on-call firefighters left the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2021-22 – up from 100 the year before and the highest number since records began in 2009-10.

Across the country, 3,359 firefighters left their jobs last year – a 28 per cent increase on 2,628 in 2020-21 and also a record.

Meanwhile, the total number of employees leaving the fire industry, which includes support and fire control staff as well as firefighters themselves, also reached a record high last year (4,640).

In Dorset and Wiltshire, 39 other staff left in 2021-22, meaning a total of 163 employees left the fire service – the most since records began.

Assistant chief fire officer at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Andy Cole said: “The number of firefighters employed at any one time fluctuates considerably, as people retire or move on to other jobs.

“Dorset & Wiltshire FRS is predominantly served by on-call firefighters – in fact, nearly two thirds of our operational workforce is on-call – and the most important thing for us is that sufficient hours of cover are provided to ensure a 24/7 response. How many people it takes to provide that cover can vary significantly, depending on how much commitment individuals are able to offer.

“46 of our 50 fire stations have on-call firefighters, and 38 are on-call only, so we are constantly recruiting in these areas.

"Anyone who wants to help their community and earn some additional income should consider applying to be an on-call firefighter – they just need to be at least 18 years old, live or work near to an on-call fire station, have a good standard of physical fitness, and have the right to work in the UK. More information can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/on-call-firefighters.”

Figures on fire service leavers cover the headcount, rather than the number of equivalent full-time workers – but FTE firefighters have also continued to decline across England.

The Home Office said it has "consistently given fire services the resources they need to keep people safe", including £2.5 billion in funding this year.

"We are committed to working in partnership with chief fire officers to ensure the fire service is fit to face the demands of the future," a spokesperson added.