Firefighter
What is the work like?
Firefighters protect and save people and property from fire and other hazards. They provide practical emergency support as well as education and advice on fire prevention.
As a firefighter, you would provide emergency services, such as:
- controlling and putting out fires
- dealing with bomb alerts
- rescuing victims from burning buildings, accident sites and other dangerous situations
- managing chemical spills (or other hazardous substances).
The fire prevention side of your job would involve:
- giving presentations to schools and other community groups
- inspecting buildings to make sure they meet fire safety regulations
- advising construction professionals on fire safety measures before and during the construction of buildings.
You would also have routine station duties, such as inspecting, cleaning and maintaining equipment, carrying out practice drills and taking part in training.
If you reach senior officer rank, you would be responsible for writing detailed reports of incidents and carrying out management and policy work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You must be at least 18 years old to become a firefighter.
Each fire service sets its own entry requirements – you should contact the Chief Fire Officer (or recruitment officer) at the fire service you wish to join for details of their requirements and when they are recruiting.
In general, you need:
- a good general standard of education (some brigades will prefer you to have GCSEs or equivalent)
- good eyesight (without the need for glasses or contact lenses) and normal colour vision
- a good level of physical fitness (tested by a full medical examination).
You will need to pass a series of practical and written tests, and an interview.
See the UK Fire Service Resources website for a list of fire brigades and information on recruitment.
Some colleges work with local fire brigades to offer a Fire Service Pre-Recruitment Access Course, which you could use as preparation for the pre-entry selection tests. Contact your local college to find out if this is available in your area.
What further training and development can I do?
As a new recruit to the fire service, you will take part in a full-time induction training programme. This lasts between 12 and 16 weeks (18 weeks in Northern Ireland). You will be introduced to fire safety standards and protective measures, which will help you to carry out fire prevention and safety education work.
To prepare for the practical side of firefighting, you will train in areas such as:
- fire behaviour and firefighting
- basic rescue techniques and entering smoke-filled rooms
- fitting protective clothing and using breathing apparatus
- handling foam and other types of fire extinguishers
- using ladders, hoses, knots and other equipment
- first aid, and health and safety.
When you have successfully completed your induction training, you will join a fire station for a probationary period of up to two years. During this time you will work alongside, and learn from, experienced firefighters. Your performance will be continually assessed.
As a retained (part-time) firefighter, your induction training is spread over a series of weekends and will cover the same areas as full-time staff. You will also take part in weekly practice drills, and occasionally attend short training courses.
An Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) is being put in place across the fire service. This will enable you to:
- be involved in continually updating and developing the skills you need for your job
- work towards a qualification such as the NVQ Level 3 in Emergency Fire Services, or Level 2 in Fire Safety
- have access to a clear promotion structure.
You may also be encouraged to work towards a specialist qualification like a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence for driving fire engines.
If you are involved in fire safety and prevention work, you can take professional qualifications leading to membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers. You can study also subjects such as fire risk engineering, fire safety, and fire safety management at degree level.
Where can I go for more information?
Human ResourcesBrigade Headquarters
1 Seymour Street
Lisburn
BT27 4SX
Tel: 028 9266 4221
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee firefighters earn around £20,396 a year.
- With experience, firefighters can earn between £21,245 and £27,185.
- Crew managers can earn around £30,000
- Station managers can earn between £34,235 and £37,761.
Retained firefighters are paid a fee, which can be up to around £2,500 a year. They also receive additional payments, according to their rank, for each incident they attend and any for extra duties they carry out.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You could work full-time or as a part-time (retained) firefighter. If you are full-time, you will usually work 42 hours a week, which includes day and night shifts to cover a 24-hour service. As a retained firefighter, you would usually be based in rural areas or smaller towns. You may have another job but you would make yourself available in emergency situations.
This job can be stressful and physically demanding and you will often work in very uncomfortable situations, for example at heights or in enclosed spaces. All-weather work and exposure to danger from collapsing buildings, vehicle fumes and explosions are all part of the job.
You would wear protective clothing, and sometimes breathing apparatus, when responding to call-outs, and you may have to carry heavy and awkward equipment.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- stamina and a high level of physical fitness
- the ability to react quickly and remain calm in hazardous situations
- a high level of self-discipline
- the ability to follow instructions and regulations
- excellent communication and teamworking skills
- the ability to inspire confidence when dealing with members of the public
- initiative to deal with rapidly changing conditions
- good practical skills to operate a range of tools and equipment
- an assertive approach to deal with possible obstacles to rescue work
- the ability to write accurate incident reports which may be used by accident investigators and insurance companies.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most opportunities in local fire brigades. There is strong competition for full-time work, but there is frequently a national shortage of 'retained' (part-time) firefighters, especially in small towns and rural areas.
You could also find work with other fire services and institutions, such as the British Airports Authority, the Defence Fire Service (which provides fire services to military and other MOD sites) and Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate.
The new IPDS scheme has brought about a change in the structure of the fire service. Your promotion options would include crew manager, then watch manager and possibly on to station, group, area and brigade management.
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