A firefighter recruitment drive finishes on Friday and Redbridge residents have been encouraged to submit their applications.

The campaign, run by London Fire Bridge, aims to build on an increasingly diverse workforce and particular emphasis has been made on attracting more women from ethnic minorities.

Chairman and leader of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Cllr Brian Coleman, explained the role requires a wide range of skills and crews must be comfortable working with different communities and passing on safety advice in schools, businesses and homes, as well as fighting fires.

People interested should visit www.facebook.com/londonfirebrigade where they can complete a short quiz to see if they have what it takes and watch videos of firefighters who talk about the job.

Bobby Johal, who works at Ilford Fire Station in High Road, Seven Kings, applied to become a firefighter in 2005.

He was asked to come in for initial fitness, English and numerical tests before being selected to enrol on a 17 week training and development course.

The process took about a year and Mr Johal was intially posted at Whitechapel before moving to Ilford.

Mr Johal, 28, said: “I had wanted to be a firefighter since I was 12-years-old.

“The training was hard work and you must be committed but the benefits are worth it.”

For further information and to submit an application visit http://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/

See next week’s Recorder for a full interview with Mr Johal who gives an in depth insight into what its like to be a trainee firefighter.