What is an On-Call FireFighter?

On-Call Firefighters provide emergency cover to over 90 per cent of the UK.

There are over 14,000 On-Call Firefighters in England and they are responsible for operating 60 per cent of all fire engines and just like full-time Firefighters, are trained to deal with everything from extinguishing burning buildings to providing first aid.

Most On-Call Firefighters are based in rural areas and will crew a designated appliance at an On-Call fire station. However, some are based in urban areas on stations alongside Wholetime crews (full-time firefighters). Some On-Call Firefighters also crew special appliances such as hydraulic platforms and water carriers. On-Call fire crews will be called upon to attend the full range of incidents including fires, floods, road traffic collisions, chemical spills and more, and work alongside their Wholetime colleagues at many incidents.

Calls for our assistance include:

• Animal rescues

• Road traffic collisions

• Property fires

• Industrial fires

• Fires in the open

• Water rescues

• Humanitarian assistance

• Medical assistance

• and many many more…

Firefighting is not like any other job

It can be unpredictable, exciting and rewarding coupled with the satisfaction and respect that comes with providing a crucial service to the local community.

You will learn new skills along the way such as first aid, road traffic collision procedures and fire safety, and there is an opportunity for you to learn other skills, such as Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver. As an On-Call Firefighter you will receive remuneration for your availability, plus hourly rates (paid when you attend incidents or training activities) and disturbance fees (paid when attending incidents).

Your training journey

The On-Call acquisition courses are split into a number of modules, these vary in length from the ten week safe to ride training and with the possibility of some weekends and additional evenings culminating in a residential Breathing Apparatus course. Your local manager will be able to give you further details regarding the content of these modules.

The courses include learning how to use equipment carried on the appliances to a basic and safe standard. It will involve theoretical input as well as demonstrations on the equipment and you will be required to demonstrate competency as the course progresses.

The modules are both physically and mentally challenging so successful applicants will need to ensure they maintain their fitness. Self-study will be necessary in your own time and you will be able to seek assistance from station personnel or Operational Training department staff should you require any further help.

Time: Evening / Weekend / Evening

Basics in fire ground safety, ladders, hoses and water delivery. Successfully passing this allows the recruit to attend emergency calls as a Trainee Firefighter.

Time: Evening / Weekend 

Trainees will learn about fire service hydraulics and how to operate fire service pumps in a range of scenarios and environments.

Time: Evening / Weekend

Trainees will learn how to work safely at height, how to operate height safety equipment and perform rescues from height safely.

Time: Evening / Weekend

‘RTC’ Trainees learn how to safely resolve these types of incidents and operate technical rescue equipment

Time: Two week residential course 

‘BA’ and compartment fire behaviour training – Trainees will learn about compartment fire behaviour, operating and wearing breathing apparatus, extinguishing fires and carrying out rescues from these types of incidents.

Time: Two years

With all initial training modules complete, the trainee can perform all the core firefighting tasks at an emergency. At this stage they begin the two-year development process to become a competent Firefighter.

Within the two year development period, you may also have the opportunity to attend further training modules such as Immediate Emergency Care (IEC), Tactical Ventilation, Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver, Emergency Appliance Driver and other specialist skills specific to your area of response.

Competency in the role will be demonstrated through assignments, assessments and the completion of a firefighter development portfolio. Further training in specific areas and skills will be acquired throughout the career of a firefighter and competency maintained through continuous training.

Below is an example calendar which shows the days of commitment to complete training. This is an ideal training period which shows availability for training centres and instructors to provide the module training. Green days are weekly drill sessions at your local fire station, red days are module training days, or testing days which cumulate into a two week residential breathing apparatus course.

Providing availability

There are various ways in which availability can be provided, this will primarily be to your local fire station for an immediate response but could include providing agreed cover at an alternative location on a delayed response. Cover given can be flexible and could be given during the day while at work or through the night and during the weekends while at home. There will be a requirement for you to provide a guaranteed level of availability which will be discussed during your application process. When providing availability for emergencies, an On-Call Firefighter will be required to have the ability to be alerted (normally via a smart phone app) and remain within an agreed area for a rapid or delayed response. An On-Call firefighter will also need their primary employers consent to be released for emergencies.

Employee benefits

The Authority’s benefits scheme enables you access to over 6000 discounts for employees and their family, on variety of goods including; holiday, fashion, gifts, cinema tickets, spa days, electronic good, motor and home maintenance. You can also benefit from:

Ania

Being a part of On-Call fire crew elevates serving the community to an entirely new level. It is a challenging role which will suit people who can work under pressure.

I first joined the Fire Service to give something back to the town which became home for me and my family. The role of an On-Call Firefighter became a very important part of my life. Therefore, when few years later I had an opportunity to take part in a full time crewing pilot, I accepted it straight away. Subsequently, I was offered a position as a Flexi Firefighter which is now my full time job alongside my On-Call duties. I work with Whole Time crews every day, responding to emergencies and taking an active part in prevention activities across the whole of Buckinghamshire.

There are many opportunities for personal and career development available to On-Call firefighters. I completed number of courses designed to improve existing and gain new skills, which I find useful in everyday day life as well as on the job.

I would recommend becoming an On-Call firefighter whether you want to respond during your hours of availability or progress to the full time operational position. The rewards of being a Firefighter are invaluable. The public rely on your help and it is a great privilege to be in the position of the help provider.

Michael

I joined Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service 11 years ago as an On Call Firefighter.   From a young age, I always had aspirations to join the Fire Service and so, at 19 years old, I saw this as an excellent opportunity for me to begin and develop my career with the Fire Service.  From 2007, whilst working as an On Call Firefighter, I also had a full time job working, originally, as an electrical engineer before working my way up to become District Technical Manager for a global gas and electric company.

Not only did becoming an On Call Firefighter allow me to serve in my local community, I also felt a sense of escapism from my day to day job and the role allowed me to do something I have a real passion for.

Seven years into my career as an On Call Firefighter, I applied for promotion and successfully became a Crew Commander.  I believe my knowledge and experience gained whilst working in the utilities industry helped develop my managerial skills and experience further.   This promotion has allowed me to take on increased responsibly in the Fire Service and I now regularly ride in charge of a fire appliance and run incidents.

In 2017 I applied to become a full time Flexi Firefighter; a relatively new position created within Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.  This meant leaving my full time ‘day job’ within the utilities industry. Whilst this was a big decision for me having been working within the gas and electric industry for 10 years, it simply was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

For the last 12 months I have been working as a flexi Firefighter and haven’t looked back. This role has allowed me to meet lots of people and work at a variety of stations.  I have also been lucky enough to have been trained as a SWRT (swift water rescue technician); a specialist skill which could save many lives.

My focus now is to continue to improve upon the skills I have learnt and developed over the last decade and work towards promotion in this flexi role.

10 minute response time

Use the map below to enter your post code and find the closest On-Call Fire Station to you. Is there a Fire Station in your community?

Once you have located your nearest station, click “Directions” this will open Google Maps in a new window. You will be required to leave the fire station in an appliance within 10 minutes of being alerted from either your home or place of work.

Example timeline:

Time of alert via phone app: 0 minutes
Drive to station at normal road speed: 7 minutes
Put on PPE (personal protective equipment): 2 minutes
Fire engine leaves station: 9 minutes

Getting approval

Once you have established how long it will take you to respond to the station, please discuss this with your Station Commander for approval providing it sits within the required 10 minute response time.