JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016 - 233

FOCUS :

EMERGENCY
SERVICES

* Initiative and an ability to solve

problems.
* To stay calm under extreme pressure.
* Sensitivity to members of the public

in distress.

You can earn...
The starting salary for a trainee
firefighter is just over £21,000 a year.
Once qualified, your salary can rise to
around £28,500.
From firefighter, you could advance
to crew manager, watch manager, and
stations manager.
If you're a crew manager, expect to earn
up to £31,500 a year - between £36,500
and £40,500 a year as a station manager.

Becoming a firefighter

Firefighter
You already know you'll save people from
burning buildings and put out fires, but
did you know you could be called upon
to deal with bomb threats, administer
first aid until the ambulance service takes
over, and address HAZMAT (hazardous
materials) situations as well?
Facing danger won't be your only
role as a firefighter in the UK Fire and
Rescue Service. You'll also be engaging
in community work and instructing
people on fire prevention and what
to do when there's a fire.
You won't have a typical 9-5 job, so
expect to live at the fire station for your

shifts. There, you'll respond to
emergencies as they happen, maintain
the cleanliness of the station and fire
equipment and engage in practice drills.
As a firefighter there's also community
work - helping to prevent fires by
increasing the public level of awareness
of fire risks and dangers, especially in
schools, is an important part of the role.

Are you cut out to be a firefighter?
You'll need...
* A reasonable level of fitness.
* Physical and emotional resilience.
* To be a good team player and

It can take months - or even years - to
apply and join the UK Fire and Rescue
Service and the entry requirements are
tight. First of all, you'll need to be 18 or
over to start training as a firefighter (but
might be able to apply earlier if you're 18
by the time you get appointed).
You will usually need a good standard
of education (some brigades will prefer
candidates with GCSEs or equivalent).
There'll also be physical, written and
medical tests you'll need to pass, as
well as an interview and background
security checks.
There are various ways to help the
application process. One is by taking a
Level 2 award (or certificate or diploma)
in Fire and Rescue Services in the
Community with your local fire service.
This will help you find out the knowledge
and skills firefighters need.
Your local college may also work with
your local fire brigade as part of a fire
service pre-recruitment course. Again,
it's a great way to ready yourself for the
selection tests.
Or think about getting a taster of
what it's like to work in a fire service by
volunteering with your local fire brigade
in a support role.
See FireService.co.uk for more
information on what it's like to work as
a firefighter: www.fireservice.co.uk

communicator.
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