It
takes about three months to complete the basic wholetime training
course at a specially-equipped training centre. Here you'll be
taught basic firefighting skills such as ladder safety, hose laying
and the use of breathing apparatus.
You will also learn about fire safety and community education and
the importance of communicating these messages to the community.
The training course will involve study both in the training centre
and at home in the evenings and weekends. You'll be assessed along
the way to monitor your progress.
After grasping the basic skills and gaining your first aid
certificate and health and safety certificate, you'll get
on-the-spot experience of the heat, flames and thick black smoke of
a real fire - controlled in a specially designed Fire House.
The training course is residential and runs weekdays from 8.30am to
5.00pm. You can return home every weekend. After succesful
completion, you'll be allocated to a fire station within Suffolk.
You'll work on a duty system at that station.
You'll be on probation for your first year and in development until
you demonstrate to your manager that you have achieved the correct
level of knowledge, skills and performance in your role as a
firefighter. When you have demonstrated competence you will be paid
a competent rate of pay, the same as all other fully qualified
firefighters. Your performance will be continuously assessed
throughout your development period and for the rest of your
career.
Training and personal development will be an ongoing process
throughout your career as a firefighter and you will be expected to
participate in all relevant training and development activity. You
will be required to contribute to your own development and record
this. We want to make sure that you can handle safely the
ever-changing demands and hazards you might face in your
job.