Individuals who have a passion for people and a desire to help others in their local community are being urged to think about becoming an on-call firefighter, as part of the Need More On-call Fire campaign.

Led by the National Fire Chiefs Council, the campaign encourages people to explore the on-call firefighter career opportunities available through a number of Fire and Rescue Services across the UK.

Now in its third year, the Need More On-call Fire campaign runs from 1 – 7 March and aims to highlight the opportunities available to people from all walks of life. The campaign is supported by a national website www.oncallfire.uk which details more about on-call roles and how people can get in touch with their local fire service all year round.

Working as an on-call firefighter means being involved in a wide range of local activities such as responding to emergency calls, carrying out work to meet the needs of local communities or provide prevention advice to keep households and businesses safe.

In return, the fire service can offer flexible working to fit around study, other work commitments and family life, first class training and development opportunities and a chance to make a difference in the local community.

Joe Hassell, On-Call Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Communities have seen the brilliant work and support the UK Fire and Rescue Service has provided during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our fantastic on-call Firefighters have been involved in a number of activities over the last year which have included giving safety advice to people at home, driving ambulances, delivering food and prescriptions and supporting mass testing and vaccination efforts as well as continuing to provide emergency response. By doing these activities, as well as responding to our normal emergencies, staff have helped thousands of people.

“This campaign is for those who welcome the chance to join the UK Fire and Rescue Service and those who perhaps have previously thought becoming a firefighter was not a possibility for them. There’s never been a better time to help serve local communities and help save lives. Now is the chance to find out if the Fire and Rescue Service is something you can be a part of.”

Keri Worrall joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service after seeing an advert as part of the national campaign. She combines the role with her job in the leisure industry and saw it as an opportunity to use her passion for working with people. She said:

“Being an on-call firefighter makes me feel brilliant. If someone asked me about joining the Fire Service I would say go for it! It’s an amazing job.”

Working in the Fire and Rescue Service means becoming part of a close-knit team, earning extra money and receiving full and ongoing training to develop a broad range of transferable work and life skills.

Fire and Rescue Services are keen to ensure their workforce reflect the local communities they work within, so welcome enquiries from all. No previous experience is necessary, but applicants will need to have a strong desire to support the local community, an enthusiasm for working as part of a team, a reasonable level of fitness and live or work within a close distance to the local fire station.

Thinking about a career as a firefighter? Visit the Need More On-call Fire website to find out how you can start your career.