You need to complete 6 stages.
Stage 1: Apply
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
We would like to hear from anyone who's available during weekdays.
Stage 2: Interview
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.
Stage 3: Written and practical tests
You'll need to take the National Firefighter Ability written and practical tests at Wattisham Training Centre, IP7 7RA which last about 4 hours.
Stage 4: Medical
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.
Stage 5: Start on Station
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.
Stage 6: The Approved to Ride Course
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.
Any questions?
Contact On-Call Firefighter Liaison Officer, to Martyn Hazelwood on 07951640690 or 01638 676252 to discuss the recruitment process.
Suffolk County Council
- Children, families and learning
- Business
- Council and democracy
- Jobs and careers
- Care and support for adults
- Roads and transport
- Planning, waste and environment
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Trading Standards, community and safety
- Births, deaths and ceremonies
- Culture, heritage and leisure
- About
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- About Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Fire stations in Suffolk
- Fire service incidents map
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service: Coronavirus pandemic
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue FAQs
- Fire safety for businesses, landlords, charities and schools
- Fire safety in the home
- Fire and rescue safety advice in the community
- Working for Suffolk Fire and Rescue
- Road safety initiatives
- Give feedback or make a complaint about Suffolk Fire and Rescue
Working for Suffolk Fire and Rescue
- Firefighter application process
- Apply to be a wholetime firefighter
- Apply to be an on-call firefighter
- Firefighter tests for new applicants
- Suffolk Women in Fire Together (SWIFT) network
- Serving firefighters: their stories
- Community Fire Volunteer
- Non-operational roles in fire and rescue
- Equality and fairness at work