Your opportunity to gain an insight into the role of an on-call firefighter

We are opening our doors for two on-call firefighter taster sessions in the Stafford area this month to encourage more people to come forward and consider joining their local crew.

Whether you’ve made a New Year's resolution to try something new or just thought about becoming a firefighter but were unsure about how the role could fit around your day-to-day life, we’ve got exciting opportunities coming up for you.

Eccleshall and Gnosall Fire Station will each be hosting an on-call firefighter taster session in the coming weeks to encourage people to come forward and consider joining their local crew.  The sessions will give potential recruits a valuable insight into what the role entails, as well as an opportunity to get some hands-on experience.

The sessions will begin with a chat with the crew, where you’ll learn all about the role, the recruitment process, the hours, pay and training, followed by information around personal protective equipment (PPE).

Here you’ll take part in a selection of job-related tasks which form part of our entry fitness test, ranging from casualty evacuation and manual dexterity to ladder leg lock and equipment carry.

Rea Cole, who has organised these taster sessions, started working as an on-call firefighter back in 2018 and since then has gone on to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team as a Positive Action Officer while continuing her role as an on-call firefighter.

She said: “The role of an on-call firefighter is a rewarding one, and part of my role as PAO (we just need to write this out in full) is to encourage others to see this as a role for them. To bust those myths, help remove any perceived barriers, to show becoming an on-call firefighter is as an option for everyone"

"Our on-call firefighters come from all sorts of backgrounds and a variety of other jobs, such as a personal trainer, chef, counsellor, funeral director, and even parents who give cover whilst their children are at school.  So whether you've thought about becoming an on-call firefighter, or never considered it but want to do something rewarding, I’d encourage you to come along and see what it's all about.”

“You only have speak to an on-call firefighter, or read experiences some have shared in their case studies to understand why we encourage others to apply.”

On-call firefighters are invaluable to the service as they provide a vital response service to their local community by attending emergency incidents. The role of an on-call firefighter is exactly the same as a full-time firefighter but with one difference – on-call firefighters aren’t based at the fire station, they have an alerter and only respond when there’s an emergency.

Anyone over the age of 18 who has a driving licence and lives close to an on-call station can apply to become an on-call firefighter, and all applicants will go through the same recruitment and training process.

So if you're interested in the on-call firefighter role and meet the requirements above, book a slot in advance to attend one of the sessions below.

A session for Women:

Eccleshall Community Fire Station – Saturday 10 January, 10:00 - 13:00

Book your ticket here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978967992538?aff=oddtdtcreator

A session for All:

Gnosall Community Fire Station – Saturday 24 January, 10:00 – 13:00.

Book your ticket here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1979216793709?aff=oddtdtcreator