When you are appointed to the role of wholetime firefighter, you will attend a specially-equipped training centre, where you will be taught basic firefighting skills such as ladder safety, hose laying and fire-pump operation.
The training course will involve classroom study, as well as practical training, and you will be continually assessed throughout to monitor your progress.
After grasping the basic skills of firefighting, you will progress to breathing apparatus (BA) training, which will be taught in realistic environments involving heat, smoke and darkness.
Upon successful completion of basic training, you will be allocated to a fire station within Suffolk, as a development firefighter.
Development and probationary period
You will be on probation for your first year and in development until you demonstrate you have achieved the correct level of knowledge, skills and performance in your role as a firefighter.
You will follow a formal development programme, throughout which your performance will be continuously assessed. The development programme includes:
- Safe working practices
- Conduct
- Equipment and procedures
- Fire safety and community education
You will continue to be developed and assessed throughout your career in the Fire and Rescue Service, and will be expected to participate in all relevant training and development activity.
Competence
Once deemed competent, you may choose to stay as a firefighter at the location you have been posted to, honing your skills whilst gaining further experience.
You may also consider requesting to work at another location within Suffolk, or progress your career through management roles, and help steer Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in to the future.
