FIREFIGHTERS are considering legal action after their bosses began a controversial scheme to recruit full-time staff from retained ranks.

For the first time, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is offering 10 full-time jobs to retained crew members only. Usually, members of the public are invited to apply.

The move has led to a split within the service with some firefighters concerned it will compromise safety to save money.

The service has strenuously denied the charge, claiming there is no cost-cutting agenda. But it has admitted the new recruits will not have to undergo any extra training to work with full-time crews.

Representatives from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have contacted solicitors to ask whether the application process discriminates against full-time firefighters, who have undergone extensive training, and members of the public.

Tony French, Devon spokesman for the FBU, said: "We have sent a letter to solicitors to ask whether or not this is discrimination.

"What we think is happening is discrimination against both full-time firefighters and members of the public.

"It is probably saving a lot of money on training."

The FBU is concerned that the service will not be able to meet recruitment targets imposed by Government in May.

By 2018, the service will have had to increased dramatically the number of female and ethnic minority members on its staff.

The suggestion is that retained firefighters will have an unfair advantage over members of the public.

Another argument against the transfer scheme is that retained staff will not have to undergo extra training. The fire brigade regards the training and experience of retained firefighters as sufficient to tackle the full-time posts.

However, some firefighters are known to be concerned that safety could be compromised as a result.

They are reluctant to voice their opinions openly because retained and full-time fire fighters always work closely together, facing the same life-threatening risks.

The matter is now being discussed by the National Joint Council – the governing body for the service.

Peter Smith, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset, said: "Currently, we are offering 10 whole-time firefighter posts for people who wish to join from the retained service.

"There is an opportunity based on the principal that a firefighter is a firefighter and a fire situation doesn't discriminate. They stand toe-to-toe and are exposed to the same dangers. There is no difference.

"Just because somebody is working on a part-time basis, why should we treat them any differently?

"This is an opportunity for some really, really outstanding firefighters to transfer and make a full-time career.

"It's the first time its been done and we don't know how many will want to do it. We anticipate 500 applications."

There are 1,200 retained firefighters across the service and they are all trained to exactly the same standard as full-time crews. The only difference is they do not go through the same initial 13-week training course.

However, extra training would be given if the new recruits needed a specialist skill – for example, working at the Royal Dockyard in Plymouth or the fire boat at Plymstock.

Mr Smith said the posts were being advertised internally and he did not know where the successful applicants would be stationed.

He added: "This is not being done to save costs. When people leave the retained service, there will be considerable expenses in training their replacement. Cost-saving is not our motivation."