On-call firefighter application process

Follow all guidance notes provided with the application to prevent your application being rejected at stage 1.

Download:

• on-call recruitment welcome pack (PDF 962KB)
• firefighter job description (PDF, 202KB)

You need employer consent

Download the employers consent form (PDF, 108KB) or find more information for employers.

Current vacancies

Recruitment is open

We would like to hear from anyone who's available during weekdays.

The interview takes an hour and will look at your availability, commitment and fitness for the role.

You'll need to understand the Personal Quality Attributes of a firefighter (Word, 31KB).

You'll be interviewed by a panel of senior operational firefighters.

We contact your employer for a reference and one other referee provided by in your application.

You'll need to take the National Firefighter Ability written and practical tests at Wattisham Training Centre, IP7 7RA which last about 4 hours.

Held at our Occupational Health Centre in Ipswich.

We'll send you details of the date and location. 

A nurse will assess your suitability for the role and a Doctor will review the results.

You usually have the results on the same day.

Before you go on the initial recruit’s course you'll need to complete 6 weeks initial training.

Prior to your 6 weeks training you'll be invited to attend a Development Folder Induction evening.

This 10 day course will be held at Wattisham Training Centre, (IP7 7RA).

Depending on where you live in Suffolk accommodation may be offered.

This course will involve:

• completing drills that involve tuition on how to pitch various types of ladders as a crew (team)
• the operation of a fire appliance (engine) pump (enabling you to deliver water to the hose)
• the movement and positioning of hose to enable you to deliver the water onto the fire
• the teaching of various types of equipment carried on a fire appliance

You will be expected to understand where a range of equipment is carried on all front line fire appliances is kept.

Non-practical tuition

You'll:

• receive theoretical tuition in the classroom to reinforce your practical learning
• be required to carry out self-study at home

During this course you'll develop your core firefighting skills which will be assessed throughout the 10 days.

The operational trainers are there to support you in developing these skills. Throughout the course you'll be given the opportunity to have one to-one discussions with them.