On-call entry requirements
Details of the basic entry requirements, skills and abilities that are need to become an on-call firefighter.
Entry requirements
- Minimum of 18 years of age on appointment
- Have a full valid UK manual car driving licence
- Able to attend the weekly training night on station on the allocated night each week
- Provide on call availability as required by the relevant station
- Be able to reach the station within the allocated time usually 5-7 minutes during your availability
- If employed permission from your employer must be sought even if you are not responding to fire calls whilst at work
- Have a good level of aerobic fitness and strength to enable you to undertake fire fighting duties
- Able to pass medical and eyesight examinations to ensure you are fit to undertake firefighting duties
- Able to swim 100m unaided
- All tattoos must align to our Service Core Values, the Code of Ethics, and the Equality Act 2010; and must not be offensive in nature including, but not limited to, any sexist, homophobic, racist or violent references. Where necessary, tattoos will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Training schedule
The basic training of on-call firefighters takes place at the Joint Training Centre (JTC) in Ripley. All trainees must be able to attend all of the training course. An example training schedule is below.
Modular Course Schedule
| Week | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Induction | 6 weeks prior to training course starting | ||||||
| Week 1 | Basic Skills | Basic Skills | Basic Skills | ||||
| Week 2 | Basic Skills | Basic Skills | |||||
| Week 3 | Off | Off | |||||
| Week 4 | BA | BA | BA | BA | BA | Off | Off |
| Week 5 | BA | BA | BA | BA | BA | Off | Off |
| Week 6 | BA | BA | BA | BA | BA | Off | Off |
| Week 7 | RTC | RTC | RTC | ||||
| Week 8 | RTC | RTC | |||||
| Week 9 | Passout Prep | Passout |
KEY
BA = Breathing Apparatus
RTC = Road Traffic Collision