South Wales Fire and Rescue celebrates On-call Firefighters this June
This June, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is proud to mark On-call month, recognising the vital contribution of our On-call staff by promoting our #YouCan campaign.
Our #YouCan campaign celebrates the extraordinary work of our On-call Firefighters, whilst aiming to inspire others to join the team.
Who are On-call Firefighters?
South Wales Fire and Rescue operates 47 fire stations across the region, 36 of which are supported by, or entirely staffed by, On-call crews.
On-call Firefighters are trained professionals who respond to emergencies in their local area, often alongside other commitments such as full-time work.
In order to qualify for on-call availability, individuals must live or work within the community of their chose fire station and commit to a specified number of hours each week in exchange for a salary, regardless of their employment status. While on duty, On-call Firefighters must carry an ‘alerter’ with them to respond promptly when needed.
Group Manager, Darren Cleaves commented:
“South Wales Fire and Rescue Service employs 595 on-call firefighters who support their communities across South Wales. Being an on-call firefighter enables you to learn new skills which can also be used in day-to-day primary work roles. It’s a very rewarding part-time job with fantastic career opportunities, as well as the close working alongside our other blue light partners”
You Can become an On-call Firefighter if you live or work nearby a station. You must be within close enough proximity to the fire station to respond typically within five minutes.
You Can now be On-call for two locations. This means you can help the communities where you live and where you work. If your employer allows, you can choose to cover two locations at different times of the day, altering your availability times to fit the role around your life.
You Can apply at any time. Applications are open year-round, so you can apply when the time is right for you.
What does the role involve?
When not responding to emergencies, On-call Firefighters must attend weekly drill nights for ongoing training and skills development. They are also required to inform and educate their local communities and carry out home safety visits.
There are physical and medical requirements for the role, including strength and cardiovascular fitness, as well as vision and hearing standards.
Applicants undergo a series of physical assessments, including ladder climbs, casualty evacuation, equipment handling, and confined space tests. A full medical examination and DBS check are also part of the recruitment process.
Think #YouCan help your community? Join us today.
SWFRS is currently recruiting for On-call firefighters at various locations across the region.
To learn more about the role requirements, you can attend a drill night at your local station to speak to crews. To view a list of stations currently recruiting or to start an application, visit the On-call page here.