|
Today's Firefighter has a greater role in society than just attending fires, road traffic accidents or chemical incidents. The Firefighter has a community-based function advising on fire safety and building links with all sections of the local area, young or old, as well as saving life and protecting property from fire. All Firefighters are highly trained professionals, who bring their own skills and personal experiences to the job and share and adapt their knowledge to different circumstances.
Duty Systems
Most of our operational Firefighters work a shift based on a 42 hours working week, according to the following rota:
Two day duties 0900 to 1800 hours
Two night duties 1800 to 0900 hours
Four days off
The personnel at our Day Crewing Station at Thetford work from 0900 until 1700 hours Monday to Friday, and provide additional cover according to a roster.
Career Prospects
Whatever level you aim for in the operational Fire Service, you will start as a Firefighter. You will receive intensive initial training and constant training thereafter, both to practice established skills and to incorporate new technologies and techniques.
However, everyone has an equal chance of promotion, even to the most senior positions. Promotion is on individual merit. The promotion ladder is:
Crew Manager – Leads the crew of an appliance and takes on some administrative duties.
Watch Manager – the second step is to Sub Officer. At this level, you take responsibility for much of the station routine and can take full command at a fire. Watch Managers may also move into specialised areas such as Fire Safety, Community Fire Safety and technical and operational support roles.
Station Manager – Station Managers may be front line, but are more likely to move into specialised roles, again, similar to the Watch Manager, but operating at a higher level. They may also undertake supervisory roles for Retained stations.
The next stages may include the following:
Group Managers
Area Managers
Much of the training and development required for promotion takes place at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire, although some is carried out locally at our Training School at Bowthorpe, and some of course is on station.
Training & Development
As a recruit Firefighter, you will receive intensive initial training for several weeks. Once you are attached to station and thereafter in your career, you will be provided with a personalised, structured learning and development pass based on your own needs, in order to practice established skills and to incorporate new technologies and techniques.
Career development
In the Fire Service, your future is in your hands. You can develop and diversity your skills as a Firefighter or take on new challenges in senior roles.
At the present time, whatever level you aim for, you will start as a Firefighter. Promotion is on individual merit.
The promotion ladder is:
Crew Manager – leads the crew of an appliance and takes on some administrative duties.
Watch Manager – takes responsibility for much of the station routine and can take full command at a fire. Watch Managers may also move into more specialised areas.
Station Manager – may be front line, but are more likely to move into specialised roles again, similar to the Watch Manager, but operating at a higher level. The may also undertake supervisory roles for Retained stations.
The next stages of promotion are:
Group Manager
Area Manager
Assistant, Deputy and Chief Fire Officers
|
