Firefighters protect and save people and property from fire and other hazards. They provide practical emergency support as well education and advice on fire prevention.

Firefighters provide emergency services, which include:

• controlling and extinguishing 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 work firefighters carry out involves:

• giving presentations to schools and other community groups
• inspecting premises to ensure they meet fire safety regulations
• liaising with construction professionals to give fire safety guidance before and during the construction of a building.

Routine station duties include inspecting, cleaning and maintaining equipment, carrying out practice drills and taking part in training. Senior officers write detailed reports of incidents and carry out management and policy work.

Hours and Environment

Firefighters can work full-time or part-time ‘retained’. Full-time firefighters usually work 42 hours a week, which includes day and night shifts in order to cover a 24-hour service. Retained firefighters usually work in rural areas and small towns, and will often have another job but make themselves available to attend emergency situations. 

Firefighters work in stressful, physically demanding and often very uncomfortable situations. The conditions they work in can be hazardous, involving extremes in temperature, heights, enclosed spaces, and smoke-filled buildings. All-weather work and exposure to danger from collapsing buildings, vehicle fumes and explosions are all part of the job. Firefighters wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus, and carry heavy and awkward equipment.

Skills and Interests

To be a firefighter you need:

• stamina and a high level of physical fitness
• the ability to react quickly and remain calm in hazardous situations
• a high level of personal discipline
• the ability to follow instructions and adhere to brigade regulations
• excellent communication and team working 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
• assertiveness in dealing with possible obstacles to rescue work
• the ability to write accurate incident reports which may be used by accident investigators and insurance companies.

Entry

Each fire service can set its own entry requirements, and the recruitment process may also vary between brigades. You need to contact the Chief Fire Officer (or recruitment officer) at the fire service you wish to join for further advice on their specific entry criteria. You will find a list of fire brigades in your local telephone directory, and on the UK Fire Service Resources website in Further Information.

In general, to become a firefighter you need:

• to be at least 18 years old 
• good eyesight, without the need for glasses or contact lenses (colour vision will also be tested)
• a good level of physical fitness and to satisfy a full medical examination
• to pass a series of practical and written tests, and an interview.  

You will need a good general standard of education, and some brigades will prefer you to have GCSE/S grades (sometimes in specific subjects and grades). There is no minimum or maximum height requirement.

The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Public Services, can be a useful background to this work. Some colleges, in collaboration with local fire brigades, offer a Fire Service Pre-Recruitment Access Course as a preparation for the pre-entry selection tests; contact your local college for details.

Training

As a new recruit to the fire service, you will take part in a full-time induction training programme. This takes between 12 and 16 weeks (18 weeks in Northern Ireland). You will be introduced to fire safety standards and protective measures, which will enable you to carry out fire prevention and safety education work. To prepare you 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, hydraulic and other equipment
• first aid, health and safety.

When you have successfully completed your induction training, you 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 firefighters. You will also take part in weekly practice drills, and occasionally attend short training courses.

Across the fire service an Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) is being put in place. As a firefighter working with this system, you will:

• be involved in continually updating and developing the skills you need for your role
• work towards a qualification such as the NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Emergency Fire Services, or Level 2 in Fire Safety 
• have access to a clear promotion structure.

Your brigade may also encourage you to work towards a specialist qualification such as a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence for driving fire appliances. If you are involved in fire safety and prevention work, there are professional qualifications leading to membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers. You can study subjects such as fire risk engineering, fire safety, and fire safety management at degree level.

Opportunities

As a firefighter, you will find most opportunities with local fire brigades. There are 58 fire brigades in England and Wales, and eight in Scotland. In Northern Ireland the Fire Authority oversees four commands (North, South, East and West). There is strong competition for full-time work. In contrast there is frequently a national shortage of retained (part-time) firefighters, especially in small towns and rural areas.

As a firefighter you will also find work opportunities with other separate fire services and institutions, such as:

• the British Airports Authority (provides fire brigades at airports)
• the Defence Fire Service (provides fire services to military and other MOD sites)
• some large private organisations run their own fire service
• Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate (may have opportunities for experienced firefighters).

The new IPDS scheme has brought about a change in the structure of the fire service. As a firefighter, promotion will be to crew manager, then watch manager and possibly on to station, group, area and brigade management.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee firefighters earn around £19,900 a year.
With experience, firefighters can earn between £20,700 and £26,500.
Crew managers can earn up to around £29,500.

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.  

Further information

Human Resources
Brigade Headquarters
1 Seymour Street
Lisburn
BT27 4SX
Tel: 028 9266 4221