A firefighting mother is hoping to encourage others to sign up and help save lives.

Tania Rea, from Sheerness, has been part of the on-call crew at Sheppey for three years and fits it around her job as a learning support practitioner at Canterbury College Swale Campus.

The 43-year-old’s husband Terry is a firefighter in London and their son, 18-year-old Fred, has also recently joined Kent Fire and Rescue Service and hopes to work on the Island after he finishes training.

Sheppey and Eastchurch are among 27 stations across Kent which are recruiting.

On-call firefighters are paid for an agreed number of hours and during that time they can go about their normal life but must be able to drop what they are doing and get to the station if paged.

Mother-of-three Mrs Rea said: “There’s a great team spirit and you get lots of skills and training.

“It would suit other mums like me whose children have grown up or are at school.

“If you like working with people and in the local community then this is the job for you – it’s very hands-on.”

Sheppey station is holding an information session on Monday, September 9, at 7pm. Anyone who is interested in finding out more is welcome.