As well as being one of the largest combined Fire and Rescue Services in the country we are also one of the top performing. In February 2022, inspectors from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) looked closely at our Service and graded us as ‘Good’, ‘Outstanding’, and ‘Good’ across the three inspection pillars of Effectiveness, Efficiency and People.
On-Call Firefighters
We are currently recruiting on-call firefighters who live or work close to their local fire station and can respond quickly to emergencies when paged. On-call firefighters are paid for the amount of agreed hours they provide and respond to the fire station when required. Unlike their wholetime colleagues, on-call firefighters are not based on fire stations full-time.
Who are On-Call Firefighters?
On-call firefighters are paid professionals who live and/or work within the local community They can be called to a wide range of incidents, such as commercial and domestic fires, road traffic collisions, rescues from height or water, animal rescue or flooding.
On-call firefighters come from every walk of life, for example they could be homemakers, retail workers, builders, farmers, office workers and directors of companies, together with those who are self-employed.
Around two thirds of the firefighters in Dorset and Wiltshire work on an on-call basis, making them hugely important to both the Service and the communities that they serve.
We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applications from all members of our community and encourage women, black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and the LGBTQ community to join us.
Have you got what it takes?
The role of a firefighter is very rewarding and it requires determination, courage, motivation, and a genuine desire to serve the community. Successful candidates will become part of a well-trained workforce, earning additional income, and gaining skills such as first aid, driving qualifications and health & safety knowledge that are transferrable into any primary employment.
Please click the link to read through the requirements to be an on-call firefighter on our website 'Have you got what it takes' – if you have, we would welcome your application as long as you:
- Are at least 18 years old when you join us (you can apply once you are 17½);
- Live or work near the fire station so you can respond quickly;
- Have a good standard of physical fitness; and
- Have the right to work in the UK.
Which stations can I apply to?
You can apply for any of our on-call stations across our Service area. When submitting an application, you will be asked to choose one station to apply for (you cannot apply for more than one at this stage).
Please note, the following stations are currently not accepting new applications so you will not be able to apply for them at this time:
- Bradford On Avon
- Bridport
- Devizes
- Swindon
- Warminster
- Weymouth
- Wimborne
Additionally, Springbourne, Westbourne, Redhill Park and Westlea are crewed by wholetime firefighters only so you will not be able to apply for them.
For more information, please email oncallsupportofficers@dwfire.org.uk