How would you like opportunity to earn an additional income which fits around your work and family commitments?

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are recruiting On-Call Firefighters to join our emergency response service to deal with fires, road traffic collisions and a wide range of emergencies.

On-Call Firefighters are a vital part of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. They provide an efficient, effective service that gives emergency cover across the county. In Suffolk, on-call Firefighters make up 66% of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service workforce and are generally located in rural communities, small towns and villages.

Minimum requirements to become an On-Call Firefighter :

• Minimum 18 years old (there is no upper age limit).
• Live or work within 5 to 8 minutes of a fire station in Suffolk.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and access to personal transport.
• Have a reasonable level of personal fitness.
• Have permission to be released from your main employment to attend emergency incidents (if you will be attending calls whilst at work).
• Can operate at heights and confined spaces.
• Keep calm under pressure.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Can develop your skills and work independently.

Hours of work

You would be contracted to work a set amount of hours based on your availability, during which, you would need to keep a pager with you. You would agree which hours you cover; it could be days, nights, weekends or a combination of these.

Benefits of being an On-Call Firefighter :

• The satisfaction and respect that comes with providing such a crucial service.
• An annual salary (retainer fee) which is paid monthly, plus an hourly rate and disturbance fee for attending incidents.
• An hourly fee for attending drill nights and training courses.
• Contribution to the new Firefighter's pension scheme.
• Issued with a uniform and personal protective equipment.

Additional benefits include shopping vouchers and discounts, public transport discounts, tax-free bike schemes, childcare vouchers and a health, wellbeing and lifestyle support scheme.

Career prospects

Within the service, there is a clear career progression route, as follows :

• Trainee Firefighter
• Development Firefighter
• Competent Firefighter
• Crew Manager
• Watch Manager

In Suffolk, we support the progression of on-call firefighters into full time roles, therefore career progression into many other roles is possible.

Stations available :

Aldeburgh, Beccles, Bungay, Eye, Halesworth, Leiston, Lowestoft North, Lowestoft South, Reydon and Southwold, Saxmundham, Stradbroke, Wrentham.

You will state in your application which station you are applying for. Please note that the cover required will be subject to station need and will form part of the shortlisting process.