Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting a campaign led by the National Fire Chiefs Council encouraging people to step forward and explore the opportunities the Fire and Rescue Service can offer people who have a passion for working in and helping their local community by becoming on-call firefighters.
The ‘Need More’ on-call fire campaign is in its third year and runs during the first week of March. It aims to highlight opportunities that are open to people from all walks of life. The campaign is supported by a national website that allows people to find out more about on-call roles and get in touch with local services at any time of the year.
on-call firefighter
Working as an on-call firefighter means being involved in a wide range of activities in the local area
Working as an on-call firefighter means being involved in a wide range of activities in the local area from responding to emergency calls to carrying out work in local communities to support their needs or providing prevention advice to help keep them safe.
In return, the fire service can offer flexible work to fit around work, study, and family commitments, first-class training, and development opportunities, and a chance to make a difference in the local community.
community support
Head of On-Call for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Group Commander Kevin Andrews commented, “Many of our stations around the county are looking for more on-call firefighters to join their teams."
He adds, "A lot of people might be surprised to hear that most of our fire stations are supported by people in their local community. People who often have full-time employment elsewhere, are self-employed or even work from home."
Response to various incidents
Group Commander Kevin Andrews continues, “They could be called to a whole range of incidents. From rescuing people trapped in cars following a collision, to responding to a local house fire. They might even be called to rescue a pet in need or assist with a medical emergency, no two incidents are the same."
He adds, "It’s a paid role and our firefighters receive full and ongoing training for the role, supported by their team members. If you have the time, which could be as little as 25 hours a week, and are looking to do more in your community, live within five minutes of your local on-call fire station, and have a reasonable level of fitness, this could be the perfect opportunity.”
Activities involved
Communities have seen the brilliant work the Fire Service has done during the COVID-19 pandemic"
Joe Hassell, NFCC On-call Lead said, “Communities have seen the brilliant work the Fire Service has done in supporting them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities that our fantastic on-call firefighters have been involved in have ranged from providing advice to people staying safe at home, driving ambulances, delivering food, prescriptions and supporting mass testing and vaccination efforts as well as continuing to provide emergency response."
He adds, "By doing these activities as well as responding to our normal emergencies our staff will have helped thousands of people."
Training and development
Joe Hassell continues, "Many people who would welcome the chance to join us in supporting their area but maybe thought they couldn’t consider being a firefighter. There will never be a better time to help serve your local community and help save lives. Now is the chance to find out if the fire service is something you can be a part of.”
Working in the fire service means becoming part of a close-knit team, earning extra money, and receiving full and ongoing training to develop a broad range of transferable work and life skills.
Necessary skills
Fire services are keen to ensure that their workforce reflects the local communities they will work in and so welcome inquiries from all, no previous experience is necessary, but an individual will need:
- A strong desire to support the local community
- Enthusiasm for working as part of a team
- A reasonable level of fitness
- Live or work within five minutes of the local fire station