SFRS Invites Applications For Firefighter Control Positions At Its Operations Control Site In Edinburgh

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is recruiting for the next generation of 999 call handlers at its Operations Control site in Edinburgh.  

The role of Firefighter Control is the first point of contact for members of the public who dial 999 to report an emergency. It plays a vital role in keeping Scotland’s communities safe and ensuring that emergency incidents are dealt with effectively and efficiently.  

Firefighter Control staff

Group Commander - Marie Clare Coyle, said, “Our Firefighter Control staff provide a vital service to Scotland's communities. Our teams are trained to an extremely high standard to enable them to provide emergency help where required."

She adds, “It is a varied and hugely rewarding career, we deal with a range of calls from house fires and road traffic collisions, to major incidents and severe weather-related flooding, keeping people calm in times of distress and concentrating resources where they’re most required." 

SFRS is recruiting Firefighter Control staff to be based at its city-center site in the Scottish capital, which is located adjacent to Tollcross Community Fire Station. 

Applicant criteria

Successful applicants will join fellow Operations Control staff upon completion of a 14-week training

Applicants must be aged 18 or over, with the ability to work rotating shifts.  

Successful applicants will join fellow Operations Control staff upon completion of a 14-week training period, learning how to coordinate emergency fire and rescue response and give potentially life-saving advice.

willingness to learn

Group Commander - Marie Clare Coyle, who has worked for the service for 24 years, added, “Our Edinburgh control room primarily provides a response to incidents in the East Service Delivery Area and, where required, can support our other control rooms in Johnstone and Dundee."

She continues, "We are looking for people who are motivated, have a willingness to learn, a strong team ethic, and the ability to form relationships to take up these roles on Scotland’s unseen frontline. We are a team and we work collectively to respond to each, and every emergency call across Scotland.”