On-Call Firefighters Information Guide

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service On-Call Firefighters – An information guide

Contents

INTRODUCTION...... 4

Map of fire stations...... 4

A career with County Fire & Rescue Service...... 5

INFORMATION ABOUT ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS...... 6

What are on-call firefighters?...... 6

Who can be an on-call firefighter?...... 6

Why are on-call firefighters needed?...... 8

How often would I be needed?...... 8

What do I get out of it?...... 8

GENERAL INFORMATION...... 10

Information for your employer...... 10

Becoming an on-call firefighter when you’re self employed...... 10

EC drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules for Goods Vehicles (Regulation 561/2006)...... 10

Information for your partner/family...... 10

Personal appearance...... 10

Vision...... 11

THE SELECTION PROCESS AND HOW TO APPLY...... 14

The Selection Process...... 14 Thank you for your interest in becoming an on-call firefighter with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. Stage One - Application...... 14 This information pack is intended to give you an insight into the role of an on-call firefighter. It also has information about the types of activities you can expect to be involved in during your career with us and Stage Two - Interview...... 14 details about the current recruitment process. More detailed information is available on our website www.essex-fire.gov.uk. Stage Three - Assessment Day...... 15 Essex County Fire & Rescue Service is committed to promoting equality of opportunity amongst our Stage Four - Occupational Health...... 16 employees and we welcome suitably skilled male and female applicants from all parts of the community. TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT...... 18

Initial training...... 18

Training throughout your career...... 18

Development and maintenance of skills...... 18

Promotion and longer term career prospects...... 18

2 Visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk Call 01376 576121 3 On-Call Firefighters – An information guide

Introduction

A career with Essex County

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has a total of 51 fire stations across the county. Fire & Rescue Service A large majority of these, 36 fire stations, are on-call stations or have an appliance crewed When called to an emergency, firefighters by on-call firefighters. could be dealing with many different types of major or minor incidents. In addition to fires they could be called to road, rail or air incidents, floods, chemical spills and rescuing people trapped in lifts or other confined spaces.

As well as fighting fires and attending

SAFFRON WALDEN incidents, firefighters are also called upon to provide community education and advice on fire safety. SIBLE HEDINGHAM NEWPORT A firefighter’s role is to encourage a safe WETHERSFIELD community, to prevent fires and emergencies before they happen and to make sure people STANSTED understand the risks of fire and what they can do to protect themselves. DUNMOW BRAINTREE WEELEY USAR

FRINTON Firefighters take part in a wide variety of

BRIGHTLINGSEA TIPTREE CLACTON activities, such as giving talks to schools, visiting community groups, fitting smoke LEADEN RODING OLD alarms in homes and advising homeowners

TOLLESBURY on protecting their properties from fire risks. HARLOW CENTRAL Firefighters therefore have to be good at communicating and interacting with diverse ONGAR groups of people within the communities TILLINGHAM EPPING GREAT BADDOW we serve. INGATESTONE

BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH BRENTWOOD HAWKWELL

RAYLEIGH WEIR SOUTHEND

LEIGH

CORRINGHAM CANVEY

GRAYS

ORSETT

Wholetime duty system

On-call duty system

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Information about on-call firefighters

What are on-call within a specified time of receiving firefighters? a pager alert, driving at normal road speeds. As we can’t predict An on-call firefighter is a person when they will be called out, on- who is ‘on call’ to respond to call firefighters have to be flexible a range of emergencies and in their work or home-based engages with their community. activities. They have everyday lives and jobs, until the pager sounds - Some on-call firefighters work then they become professional for an understanding employer firefighters. who is prepared to release them Case Study from their workplace from time They may be ‘part-time’, but they to time when the pager alerts, are trained and experienced others work for themselves or people on the front line, saving simply have time available to help Shaun Wade lives. On-call firefighters are paid protect the community. When for their services, they receive firefighters are on-call and the Shaun joined the crew at Wickford Fire thorough training and learn all pager sounds, they need to be Station in 2008 when he was looking they need to know about able to stop whatever they are for something worthwhile to do in the emergency situations. doing and report immediately to evening. He now combines life as an on- the fire station. call firefighter with a busy family life and a On-call firefighters come from demanding job as Contracts Manager at a all walks of life. For example, On-call firefighters need to have building company. they could be men and women good communication skills who are at home, in full or part- together with personal skills He said: “I’m not the type of person to sit time employment, working for such as courage, understanding, around watching TV and I wanted something themselves, studying at college reliability, flexibility, determination, worthwhile to do with all the spare time I had. or university, or not currently self-motivation, common sense, I found that being an on-call firefighter was the employed. They are people who commitment, enthusiasm and the thing to fill that gap and it allowed me to give are able to give their time to assist ability to work within a team. They something back to the community. the fire service and help protect also need to be able to reflect our their communities. values at all times. “It is a big responsibility but the rewards are great. Everything I have learned on every Above all, being an on-call course the Service has sent me on has had a Who can be an on-call firefighter requires a real desire positive effect on my work and home life and firefighter? to serve the local community. has helped me develop as a person. Firefighters have to be at least 18 To be an on-call firefighter we “My advice to anyone thinking of joining is that years of age with a good all-round ask for a minimum agreed it’s a real commitment but if you stick it out it level of fitness and there is no commitment, which could be is the most rewarding job in the world. If you upper age limit. On-call firefighters during the night, at weekends, think you can do it then I would say go for it.” need to work or live within an during the day or a combination agreed distance of a station as of all. they have to be able to get there

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Why are on-call What do I get out of it? firefighters needed? Firefighting is not like any other job. On-call firefighters are a vital It can be unpredictable, exciting part of today’s Fire and Rescue and rewarding, coupled with the Service. They provide an effective, satisfaction and respect that comes efficient service that gives with providing a crucial service to emergency cover to more than your local community. You will learn 90% of the . new skills along the way such as firefighting, road traffic collision We are actively trying to recruit procedures and fire safety, and people who can respond on an there are opportunities to learn on-call basis. This can be difficult other skills, such as Large Goods in small towns and rural areas, Vehicle (LGV) Driver Training, First because nowadays there are fewer Aid and Trauma Care Training and people who both live and work in Health and Safety Training. small communities and this has put local services under threat. On-call As an on-call firefighter you will firefighters are a crucial part of local receive an annual retainer based services and communities. on your hours of availability, plus Case Study an hourly rate when you attend incidents, drill nights, training How often would I courses, community safety activities Claire Harrington be needed? or carry out equipment maintenance, as well as paid holiday. The number of incidents that an Claire, 28, followed in the footsteps of her on-call firefighter attends varies Holiday father joining Stansted Fire Station as an on- between fire stations - you could call firefighter just over two-and-a-half years be called out only two or three You will be entitled to four weeks ago. She has enjoyed her experience with times a week for a couple of hours paid leave, and after five years’ Essex County Fire & Rescue Service so much at a time. service, this entitlement increases to that she also joined as a Control Operator, a five weeks. A week’s leave means role she combines with firefighting. You will be required to attend an a period of seven consecutive days evening training session (drill night) free from duty but can also be taken She said: “Growing up my dad has always each week for two or three hours as individual days. been a firefighter at Stansted and I knew it was at your local fire station for training something I would want to do so it wasn’t a and maintenance of essential Pension surprise to me, or my mum, when I joined myself. equipment. There will also be times when you will need to attend From the start of your employment “It is a really satisfying thing to do. You know additional training sessions and you will be able to contribute to a that you are working for your community and training courses. These may be Firefighter’s pension scheme, which helping to protect people but at the same time during the week but we are actively the Service will also contribute to. there is a great adrenaline rush and there is working on flexible options for our the team work and friendship the whole crew on-call firefighters for the required Joining the Fire and Rescue Service has with one another. It’s more than a job it’s a training courses. is a great way of meeting new hobby. It’s like getting paid for something you people – both the people you work love to do. We recognise that there will be with and those in the community times that unexpected family or who you help. There’s a special “I have learned a great deal through my work work demands prevent you from kind of bond amongst firefighters as an on-call firefighter. There is the fitness, I being available and on those that comes from working together have become more confident and now it has occasions you will be allowed as a team in conditions that are led to me getting a full time job as a Control to ‘book off-call’. In addition, sometimes potentially dangerous Operator, taking emergency calls, something I you will also be entitled to paid or emotive. This helps bind you never would have done if I hadn’t joined as an annual leave. together as few jobs could. on-call firefighter.”

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General Information Vision Firefighters require a certain level of eyesight to enable them to carry out their role and must meet a required standard of vision when applying to join the fire service. Eyesight doesn’t have to be perfect to be a firefighter, Information for your employer Information for your partner/family but applicants are required to undertake an eye sight assessment in order to become a firefighter. On-call firefighters who are planning on Without the support and encouragement of their responding to incidents while at their place of partners and families, on-call firefighters would Contact lenses: for safety reasons only soft contact work must have permission from their employer. struggle to carry out their role. lenses are acceptable. It is important that employers understand what this involves so please ensure they receive the This support does mean that occasionally the Detailed information regarding eyesight requirements Employer Information Guide. lives of partners and families can be affected. is provided within the supplementary The main disadvantages to being on-call are: pages of this guide and on our website Employers will also need to sign a form confirming • It is difficult to plan spur of the moment activities www.essex-fire.gov.uk that an on-call firefighter can be released from work, which is included within the application pack. • You can be called out in the middle of the night If you have any doubts regarding your • On-call firefighters cannot be relied on to be eyesight we suggest that you book an the sole-carer when on-call - alternative child appointment with your optician and Becoming an on-call firefighter when or dependent care arrangements are needed take the information provided to get Case Study you’re self employed to make sure you can respond to an their opinion. emergency quickly. In Essex a large percentage of our on-call Geoff Wheal firefighters are self-employed, including However, having an on-call firefighter within the mechanics, accountants, bricklayers, plumbers, family does have its advantages too, such as: project managers and shop owners. • Protecting the community in which you live Corringham Fire Station has always been a large part of Geoff’s life. His father served Many of these people have found that being an • Being a positive role model within there for 28 years and Geoff himself has been on-call firefighter has a positive impact on their the community a firefighter since 1987. He now manages the business. This is because they have better links with • Increased confidence and development of on-call crew, like his father before him, as local businesses and their communities and they are new skills Station Officer. When he is not serving as a well known and trusted by the people in their area. • Ability to carry out a risk assessment of firefighter in Corringham, Geoff is part of the your home crew at Stansted Airport’s fire service. • Financial reward. EC Drivers Hours and Tachograph “I always knew that I would join the crew at Rules for Goods Vehicles (Regulation Corringham. I grew up around the station and its 561/2006) Personal appearance firefighters and it was something I had wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I even chose The EC Drivers’ Hours and Tachograph Rules for The Service expects its employees to present my job because it allowed me to devote time to Goods Vehicles (Regulation 561/2006) limit driving themselves and dress in a professional manner being an on-call firefighter in Corringham. time and ensure that proper rest periods are taken whilst at work. A uniform that reflects the so that road traffic accidents are prevented. The professional image of the Service is provided “It’s a great job. It gets you known in your rules apply to anyone who drives an ‘in-scope’ and allows on-call firefighters to be appropriately community and it gives you a chance to give vehicle. ‘In-scope’ describes a goods vehicle over dressed for the range of activities in which they something back. All the crew have different jobs 3.5 tonnes, or a passenger vehicle with nine or are involved. and backgrounds and we bring all those skills more passenger seats. together working as a crew. For safety reasons, jewellery including rings, Candidates are asked to indicate on the application earrings and facial piercings may not be worn “I would recommend being an on-call firefighter. form if their primary employment involves driving whilst on duty. Hair (including facial hair) must not People are always glad to see you. We ‘in-scope’ vehicles. This is so the Station Manager impair the seal of the breathing apparatus face sometimes arrive at situations which are out of and the individual can discuss the individual’s mask nor must it impair vision or hearing. Whilst control and because of the training and skills we availability with regards to ensuring the proper rest on duty the use of make-up or hair preparations, have we bring those situations under control. It’s periods and imposed limits are observed. such as hair spray, is not allowed. the most satisfying job in the world.”

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Case Study

Neil Byford

Newport Fire Station is an important part of a small community and it is in no small part due to the efforts of Neil Byford and his firefighting family. His father served for 42 years, his brother for 22 and Neil himself has been an on-call firefighter for an amazing 35 years. As well as running the fire station, Neil also owns and operates a busy agricultural contracting company which has employed a number of firefighters over the years.

Neil said: “For me the team work is the most important thing about being an on-call firefighter. We run towards trouble when everybody else is running away and we do it as a team, supporting one another as we work to protect our community.

“I love being a firefighter and I see the benefits of employing firefighters in my business. As well as being excellent team players they have an awareness of safety and risk which is invaluable when you’re working with large agricultural machinery as we do.

“It is a role I would recommend to anyone. It’s hard work but rewarding and the self-esteem and personal development you get from being part of the fire service makes it all worthwhile.”

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timeframe. The interview is also used to identify if you may need some additional support prior to undertaking the National Firefighter Selection Tests (written and/or physical The selection process selection tests). You will also be required to provide and how to apply evidence of permission to live and work in the UK. Interview Outcome If you successfully pass the Interview Stage of the selection process you will be invited to continue to the next stage of the process, which is an Assessment Day. You will complete the written and physical National The Selection Process when cover is needed, you will be put on hold Firefighter Selection Tests at the Assessment Day. and we will keep in touch with you over the The recruitment and selection of on-call firefighters next twelve months in case our situation or your is dependent on the applicant living and/or working situation changes. Additional Support within a specified distance of the Service’s on-call Additional support sessions are available to all fire stations. The length of time it takes to complete candidates to help them prepare for the Assessment the process varies, but it may take up to six months Stage One – Application Day. These sessions are usually held on a Wednesday from the initial application. Application Stage and are designed to help candidates who are ready, or nearly ready for the selection tests, to maximise their The application form asks for basic factual chance of passing the tests. During the session the Initial Contact information and guidance notes are included Fitness Team will conduct an initial physical assessment Case Study You can contact the Service through visiting your to help you complete the form. The form can and provide advice and guidance on improving fitness local station, visiting the Essex County Fire & be completed electronically and emailed to the levels as appropriate. The HR Team will discuss the Rescue Service website (www.essex-fire.gov.uk), HR Department. If you do not have access to a format of the written tests, provide a practice paper to sit through social media or calling us on computer an application pack can be posted. and information about other support available. Richard Pemberton 01376 576121.

You will be asked to complete an Initial Contact Stage Two – Interview Stage Three – Assessment Day Richard Pemberton has a high profile job as a Form and return this to the HR Department. The National Firefighter Selection Interview self-employed Aviation Compliance Manager form asks for general contact information and for you You will be invited to attend an Assessment Day to and was looking to do something different, to indicate when you would be available to be on-call Upon receipt of a completed application form, complete the written and physical National Firefighter something which helped his local community and to respond to operational calls. This forms part the HR Department will update the Officer in Selection Tests. All candidates will have a maximum of in Tillingham, when he had the idea of of the recruitment process and you would need to Charge and Station Manager, who will invite three attempts usually over consecutive Assessment becoming an on-call firefighter. be able to maintain this availability if successful in you to attend an interview. The interview is the Days to pass these tests. If unsuccessful after three being offered a post as an on-call firefighter. National Firefighter Selection Interview and it is attempts you would not be able to reapply for a twelve He said: “I find it really rewarding, we are trained a competency based interview based on the month period. to a very high standard and then we put that Availability National Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQA) training to use helping people in our community Framework. This means we will be looking for and I get a great deal of satisfaction from that. Availability means how many hours you agree to examples of when you have displayed particular National Firefighter Written Tests be on-call and when those hours are (during the behaviours such as working with others, problem These tests consist of a series of multiple choice “It was something I was interested in so I went day and/or evenings and/or weekends). Generally solving, commitment to diversity and integrity. questions designed to assess your abilities and aptitude to the station on drill night and that was how it all it’s between 90-120 hours a week, but remember for becoming an on-call firefighter. The tests are got started. you’re not actually working for that amount of Examples may be from your primary employment conducted in a classroom style environment and take time, we are paying you to be “available”. You can but in the case of young people, it could include approximately three hours to complete (including breaks). “At work people know that I’m a firefighter and go about your normal life at home or work, but if school and other activities and in the case of it really does help me with my job, as well as the you get a call to say we need you, you must be those returning to work after a gap in employment, They consist of three tests which need to be completed respect people show you I get asked about fire able to drop what you are doing and get to the it could include taking part in community or in a set time and include: safety all the time and use my knowledge to help station within a specified time. voluntary activities. • Working with numbers make my clients safer. • Understanding information If there are vacancies at your local station, and The interview is an opportunity to discuss the • Situational awareness and problem solving “I would say to anyone thinking of joining that the your availability matches when cover is needed, next stages of the selection process and the more you put in the more you get out but they the HR Department will send you an application commitments of the role, and to confirm your For further information on written tests, as well as should go for it. It’s a great way to give something pack to complete and return. If there are no availability and that you can respond from your home practice papers, please visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk or back to the local community and I have made vacancies, or the availability does not match or work base to the on-call station within the required call 01376 576121. good friends through my role as a firefighter.”

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If you can evidence prior learning Stage Four – Occupational through a level two qualification in Health Screening Assessment Maths and/or English you would not be required to sit the Working with You will be asked to attend a medical Numbers and/or Understanding appointment with our Occupational Information test. Health Department. Occasionally candidates may not be able to suitably National Firefighter demonstrate all of the requirements of the Occupational Health Physical Tests Screening Assessment, and in these The selection process consists of a circumstances the Service may offer a number of role related physical tests, functional test to assess whether the some of which need to be completed candidate may fulfil the requirements of within a specified time. All aim to a Firefighter’s role. Where appropriate, assess your level of cardiovascular the Service will offer reasonable and muscular strength/endurance, adjustments to the workplace to with elements of manual dexterity also support candidates in being able to involved. successfully fulfil the requirements of the role. • Aerobic Fitness Test - Group Case Study multi-stage fitness test. Reference Checks • Ladder Climb - Confidence whilst working at height. Reference checks will be completed by • Casualty Evacuation - Lower and the HR Department. Two references will John Maddocks upper body strength test. be required from a current and previous • Ladder Lift / Lower Simulation - employer. References will always be Lower and upper body strength sought directly from the referee. The Sub Officer John Maddocks combines a high test. Service will not rely on references or profile role in a water company with life as • Breathing Apparatus Crawl - testimonials provided by the candidate an on-call firefighter leading the crew at rural Confidence, agility and possible themselves, or on ‘open’ references or Tillingham Fire Station. John first joined as claustrophobia. testimonials, e.g. addressed ‘To whom an on-call firefighter in 2005 shortly after he • Equipment Assembly - Manual it may concern’. moved to the area. He made his decision after dexterity. learning that both the man he’d bought his • Equipment Carry - Aerobic fitness, Offer of Employment house from and the farrier who came to shoe muscular strength and stamina. his horses were both on-call firefighters and Once all aspects have been recommended the role to him. In each of the above tests you will successfully completed to our be given full instructions and support standards and satisfaction, a formal John said: “My father was a policeman and I had from the Fitness Team and the Training offer letter and contract of employment been in the infantry so being an on-call firefighter Department Officers. will be issued to you and arrangements ticked a lot of boxes for me. I like working as part made for the provision of uniform, of a team and I like the fact that everything we do Assessment Day Outcome including personal protective helps people. equipment and initial training. If you successfully complete all of the “Being an on-call firefighter is a great way to National Firefighter Selection Tests Uniform give something back. All the people you help are you will receive a Conditional Offer of your neighbours. I feel like I’m really making a Employment which is subject to the On receipt of satisfactory references contribution to my local community. outcome of the Occupational Health and medical clearance, uniform and Screening Assessment and reference personal protective equipment is “If you are really interested in helping your checking. If you are unsuccessful in provided and must be worn while you community and making a real contribution the written or physical tests you will be are on duty. When wearing uniform, then becoming an on-call firefighter could be advised at the Assessment Day and you should ensure that your conduct an excellent choice for you. It’s not just giving, given feedback. The HR Department is professional at all times and uniform I get so much back from the job, not just the will then arrange for you to re-sit the should not be worn when you are not satisfaction of helping people but the excitement test(s), provided this was not your on duty. when the pager goes off and the camaraderie we third attempt. have as a team.”

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Training and Development

Training programme at the end of the 10 day Basic Fire Behaviour Training: On-Call Firefighter Course will One week, Monday – Friday If you are selected to join Essex be required to attend evening County Fire & Rescue Service, training sessions at the Service Five day Fire Behaviour training whatever your educational Training Centre once a week for course combining elements achievements, you and other 10 weeks. The evening training taught on the Breathing new recruits will receive the sessions normally run from Apparatus Initial Course same basic training, consisting 19.00hrs to 21.00hrs on with the realistic conditions of technical, practical and a Wednesday evening. encountered at operational theoretical work. You will incidents. It is held at be committing yourself to a These evening training Wethersfield Training Centre. number of training courses that sessions are very important in Case Study must be completed within two the development as a firefighter Development and years of joining the Service. as it reinforces skills learnt maintenance of skills Lorraine Melton These courses include: over the 10 day course, and develops knowledge and skills • Pre Trainee Course Learning in other areas. After successfully completing For Lorraine Melton being an on-call firefighter -- Reading and study your development training you gives her an opportunity to leave her everyday carried out at home will have the opportunity to life behind and enjoy the excitement of not and local fire station Training throughout undertake courses to broaden knowing what to expect and the satisfaction your career your knowledge. You will receive of helping her community. Lorraine, who • Manual Handling Course further training throughout your owns and operates a herb nursery, joined the (approx. two hours) To become fully trained you will career to ensure that you are crew at Newport Fire Station 11 and a half need to go through development kept up to date with the latest years ago. Initially looking for a change and • 10 day Basic On-Call training, some of which will take technology and equipment. something to help her keep fit, she also found Firefighter Course place during drill nights and a close knit team and hugely satisfying role at some will need to be undertaken the heart of her community. Basic On-Call Firefighter Course in your own time. This normally Promotion and longer Two weeks, Monday – Friday takes up to 24 months to term career prospects Lorraine said: “My everyday life is pretty complete and includes: regimented. Running my own business I know At the completion of the 10 day On successful completion of what will happen from day to day and I was just course all students will sit down Breathing Apparatus firefighter development you looking for something outside of that which would with an Operational Trainer Initial Course: may wish to further your career. be exciting and different. to discuss their progress and Two weeks, Monday – Friday You will have the opportunity to whether they have reached the undertake training in Leadership “When the pager goes off it’s always exciting, required standard to progress to 10 day course covering the use and Management to gain the you don’t know what you’re going to face. All the next stage of their training. and operation of all Breathing skills required of a Crew or you know for certain is that you are going to Students who are successful Apparatus Equipment. Watch Officer. help someone. It’s exciting and satisfying at the same time.

“I love working as part of a team. Normally I On-call firefighter career progression am the manager so having a role as a team member with someone else in charge is a nice change of pace. Trainee Development Crew Watch Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Manager Manager “My advice to anyone thinking of joining is grab the opportunity with both hands. It is a decision I have never regretted.”

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