Could it be you?

People like Gavin Tillson, 32, and David Beal, 28, are part-time firefighters, on call for emergencies during specified hours. At any time during their working day, they could be called upon to leave the Everest RVI Products and Services in Tannery Yard, Burford, to head for the town's fire station.

There they will don their firefighting gear, and head out to whatever emergency they are needed at. And Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service need more people to join them.

Mr Beal, a repair technician, said: "Having worked here so long I was surprised when the fire service recruitment officers came over and said they were desperate for retained firefighters. We leapt at the chance."

Mr Tillson a customer service supervisor, joined the fire service in April, and Mr Beal joined in June. Both say they are enjoying their new roles.

One of Mr Tillson's first call-outs was to Cotswold Wildlife Park, to a pile of animal faeces which was on fire. He said: "There is all sorts, you never know what you'll be called to.

"It is interesting. In one week there was a gas leak in Burford, a road traffic collision nearby, then we were called on to a big fire in East Hanney and a big fire in Carterton."

Mr Beal said: "One minute you'll be talking to a customer and the next minute the bleeper goes so you come to the station and get dressed wondering what it is you will be called to."

In Burford one of the problems is many residents commute to work elsewhere, making it difficult for the retained fire station to get the right cover. Mr Beal and Mr Tillson, who both live in Witney, provide cover for Burford Fire Station during the working day, 8.30am to 5pm.

Mr Beal said: "That is our working day.

"We can offer more than that. Last night, we were here checking the fire engine, and the call came through, and off we went. People who do this try to give whatever they can."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager for Bampton and Burford, Nick Bateman, said: "Throughout Oxfordshire, most retained fire stations are short of retained firefighters, particularly for cover during the day."

Mr Bateman said the fire service is reliant on local employers to allow their workers to become retained firefighters.

John Farrow, site manager for Everest RVI Products and Services, said: "We have been here since March 1987, and it is an opportunity for us to give something back to the community.

"We are part of General Electric, and there is a company edict about working in the community. So we work it so that one week David's on call, and the following week Gavin's on call.

"We have an agreement that if an emergency call comes through, we'll send our chap.

"But if they have a full compliment of firefighters, he will come back to work. If they need him, then off he goes. It works perfectly, and there is no conflict of interest."

Last month, the Witney Gazette reported that 40 part-time firefighters were needed for seven fire stations in Oxfordshire.

Retained recruitment officer, Tony Whiting, said 35 are still needed for Bampton, Burford, Chipping Norton, Deddington, Thame, Watlington, and Wallingford.

He said: "We are interested in getting more females involved. Ten per cent of Oxfordshire's retained firefighters are female, and we want more. We desperately need more in Chipping Norton."

Anyone aged 18 or over, who is of a reasonable standard of fitness, can apply to become a retained firefighter.

The can earn between £350 and £400 per month, depending on the hours they can put in and how many times they are called out.

They need to live or work within a mile-and-a-half, or five-minute travel, of their local fire station. The service runs a family-friendly policy, so if mothers want to apply for the role, they can have flexible hours, and work only when their children are at school.

Anyone interested can call 0800 587 0870, or Mr Whiting, on 07796941341.