A LUDLOW company, which has actively backed Shropshire’s on-call fire fighters for the past 25 years, has been praised for its support.

Chief fire officer John Redmond said Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service relied on businesses such as Ludlow’s DMS Plastics which allowed employees, who are also trained fire fighters, to 'drop tools' at a moment’s notice to respond to 999 calls.

The firm in Lingen Road currently has one of its 25 staff employed as an on-call fire fighter and has had five previous fire fighter employees over the past 25 years.

James Bond, a milling machine programmer, has been a fire fighter for the past 14 years. He turns out during the day to deal with fire and rescue incidents with colleagues from Ludlow and at night in Craven Arms, where he lives.

“I just drop everything and run when the alarm call comes in,” said James.

“Someone either completes the job I’m doing or I finish it when I get back. They are a really good employer.”

DMS Plastics, a leading global manufacturer and supplier in the plastics forming industry, was also praised for allowing crews from fire stations at Ludlow, Craven Arms. Clun and Bishop's Castle use the business premises for training.

"Without the goodwill of employers such as DMS Plastics, our fire and rescue capabilities throughout the rural parts of Shropshire would be in jeopardy," said John Redmond.

He presented Mr Draper with a special award to thank the company for its support over the past 25 years.

More than 300 county fire fighters - 80% of the brigade's fire fighting force - are on-call and live or work within five minutes of their local fire station.

"They all have other jobs in the community and give up their time to regularly train to be highly skilled fire fighters ready to protect their communities whenever the call comes through in the day or the middle of the night," said Mr Redmond.

"They get to work the next day even if they have a call out at 3am. I thank them all for their dedication and their employers too."

To become an on-call fire fighter call 01743 260200 or visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk for more details about Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.