Becoming an on-call firefighter is a part-time, paid professional role ideal for individuals seeking a flexible schedule while performing vital emergency services for their community. This position requires meeting specific age, fitness, and medical standards, followed by passing a series of practical assessments. This guide outlines the core responsibilities, mandatory requirements, and recruitment process, including compensation details, based on standard fire and rescue service protocols.
What are the Core Responsibilities of an On-Call Firefighter?
An on-call firefighter serves as a part-time professional and community ambassador for the fire service. Unlike a full-time role, work typically follows an on-call schedule, often two to three days per week, allowing for other professional or personal commitments. Fire stations usually offer various contract types for flexibility. The role is both reactive and preventative.
Reactive duties involve responding to emergencies such as:
- Property and wildfires
- Road traffic collisions
- Animal rescues
- Chemical spills
- Floods
- Medical emergencies
Preventative duties focus on community education, including teaching home safety procedures and collaborating with medical services at school events.
What are the Basic Requirements to Become an On-Call Firefighter?
Almost any physically and mentally fit adult can apply. The fundamental requirements are broad to encourage community participation.
- Age and Right to Work: Candidates must be at least 17 years and six months old on the application date, with no upper age limit. Non-citizens must provide documentation proving their right to work in the country. A mandatory background check ensures candidates have no unspent convictions.
- Education: There are no strict qualification requirements. Employers seek literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to a Level 2 qualification (e.g., GCSEs grades 9-4 or C and above). These skills are evaluated through internal assessments during the recruitment process.
- Appearance: For safety, firefighters must remove all jewellery and exposed piercings. Hair must be tied back to ensure a proper seal with fire helmets and breathing apparatus. Facial hair is permitted only if it does not interfere with the seal of a breathing mask.
What Physical and Medical Tests are Required?
The physically demanding nature of firefighting necessitates rigorous health and fitness evaluations. Candidates undergo a series of tests to assess their capability for the role.
- Fitness and Medical: A fitness test measures aerobic capacity to determine if a candidate can sustain physical activity for extended periods. Employers also check that a candidate's weight falls within a healthy range according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.
- Eyesight: Eyesight requirements are specific. Unaided visual acuity must be at least 6/9 in both eyes. Colour vision is tested using the Ishihara test; a normal result (making a maximum of two errors) is required. Those who have had laser eye surgery are typically eligible to apply one year post-procedure.
What Practical Tests are Part of the Recruitment Process?
After an initial application and interview, successful candidates advance to practical assessments designed to simulate real-world scenarios.
- Ladder Tests: This includes a ladder climb and leg lock, a ladder lift (simulating lifting a 30kg ladder), and a ladder extension test.
- Casualty Evacuation: This test evaluates strength and coordination by requiring a candidate to drag a rescue dummy 30 meters backward.
- Confined Space Test: Wearing a facemask, candidates must crawl through a dark, enclosed space, navigating different levels.
- Equipment Tests: These assessments evaluate a candidate's ability to carry heavy equipment through a course and assemble various firefighting tools.
What are the Benefits and Pay for an On-Call Firefighter?
This role is a paid professional position. Compensation varies by location and is based on the number of emergency call-outs attended. Based on our assessment experience, firefighters are also eligible for sick pay and can join the firefighters' pension scheme.
The benefits extend beyond pay. The role is highly rewarding, offering:
- Skill Development: Training provides valuable skills in fire safety, first aid, and incident command, often including a goods vehicle licence.
- Teamwork and Leadership: The role fosters strong teamwork and leadership capabilities.
- Additional Perks: These may include free gym access at the station and eligibility for discount schemes like the Blue Light Card programme for emergency service staff. Part-time firefighters typically receive four to five weeks of annual leave.
To succeed as an on-call firefighter, focus on meeting the basic age and right-to-work requirements, then prioritize your physical fitness to pass the demanding practical tests. The role offers a unique opportunity to gain invaluable emergency response skills while serving your community on a flexible schedule.
Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with ok.com.
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