Part-Time Firefighters


Who needs Firefighters?

We all need the help of a firefighter from time to time. Whether it's a fire in someone's house, a road accident or a warehouse up in flames, firefighters are very much needed in every community. Have you ever thought about becoming one?

The hard fact is that we need you every bit as much as you need us. There's a shortage of people at the moment who will "turn out" and help us on a part-time basis. The problem is worst in small towns and rural areas because nowadays there are fewer people who both live and work in small communities and this has put local services under threat.

The retained Fire Service is an important and cost-effective part of these local services. This leaflet tells you what you could do to help.

Part-timers but not amateurs

We've got builders and shopkeepers, farmers and plumbers, typists and technicians. They're doing everyday jobs until the call comes. And then, quite literally, they put on their other hat and become professional fire fighters. That's not some kind of back-up team: it's the front-line force savings lives and making headlines. What do you have to do to join these "ordinary" people?

Close at hand

Firstly you should work or live somewhere near a fire station, because you have to be able to get there within a few minutes of a call. That's a few hundred yards on foot or a drive of up to two or three miles.

Secondly, because we can't predict when you'll be called out, you have to be flexible in your work. The chances are that you'll be working for a sympathetic employer who's prepared to let you off from time to time, or you'll be working for yourself.

Fit to fight fires?

Don't believe everything you hear about the Fire Service, firefighters come in all shapes and sizes and we're especially keen for more women to join. There's no denying it can be a tough job as Marie Manning, firefighter and laboratory technician, points out, "I did have to do some training initially to build up strength but once you've made the grade, everyone is treated equally". There are no difficult entrance exams but you will need to be fit and there's a straightforward physical test. You have to be at least 18 and have good eyesight without contact lenses or glasses.

Just as important are qualities like common sense, commitment and enthusiasm - though they come with the job. As one firefighter in Nottinghamshire puts in "There's nothing that fuels interest more than "shouts". The more shouts you have the more enthusiasm".

You're needed, but how often?

We're short of people round the block, but especially during midweek working hours. On average you'll be called out only two or three times a week for a couple of hours. And, because we like to have more firefighters available than are needed for each call, you won't have to attend each call-out. In addition when you really can't spare the time for some reason - a holiday or a deadline at work for example - you can "sign off".

What do I get out of it?

Let's be honest, most firefighters get a big kick out of what they do. It can be fantastically exciting as you belt through the traffic, not knowing what lies round the corner. As Bob, a leading firefighter from Norwich puts it "If you do an office job, there's no better contrast. My main employment is very predictable. But here, when the bleeper goes off, it's completely unpredictable. You have no idea what you're going to".

Coupled with this is the satisfaction and respect that comes with providing a crucial service to the community, along with the extra skills you pick up such as first aid and fire safety.

Last but not least, part-time firefighters get paid. there's a basic retainer, an attendance fee for call-outs and another for going into action. You also get paid for going to drill nights and for extra duties like equipment maintenance.

Join the team

Joining the Fire Service is a great way of meeting new people - both the mates you work with and those in the community whom you help. Most fire stations have their own social club where you can relax after the excitement's over and after the weekly drill night.

There's a special kind of bond along firefighters. It comes from working together as a team in conditions that are sometimes extremely dangerous. That helps bind you together as few other jobs could.

Finding out what it's all about

If you want to know more about joining, give us a ring. If you like we can arrange for a visit from a fire officer to explain the scheme to your employer.

We're looking for ordinary people to help us do a job that's out of the ordinary - why not give it a go?

If you are interested, you can obtain further information by contacting the Chief Fire Officer (or Firemaster in Scotland) or Recruitment Officer of the brigade in which you are interested. Check in Brigade directory for the address.

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