On call firefighter questions.
Discussion
Hi all and thanks in advance for any replies.
I would like to become an on call firefighter.
Reasons being: it’s been a dream since I was a kid, I badly want to do something that makes a difference to others and I’d hope it would be a good influence on my kids to have me in such a role.
Now the possible problems: I am 44, In the last year I’ve got myself in good shape again physically and I’d imagine from the research I’ve done I’d cope with the physical aspects of the job.
Now this is the key one and my biggest worry.
The 5 minute radius to the station, I basically live in between 2 stations and I’m probably 10 mins from both at normal traffic speeds but how strict is this?
Obviously I understand the need to be present at the station when required but given the reasonable small town one of the stations is in I can’t imagine all the FF live within 5 minutes of it.
Any info or advise would be greatly appreciated.
I would like to become an on call firefighter.
Reasons being: it’s been a dream since I was a kid, I badly want to do something that makes a difference to others and I’d hope it would be a good influence on my kids to have me in such a role.
Now the possible problems: I am 44, In the last year I’ve got myself in good shape again physically and I’d imagine from the research I’ve done I’d cope with the physical aspects of the job.
Now this is the key one and my biggest worry.
The 5 minute radius to the station, I basically live in between 2 stations and I’m probably 10 mins from both at normal traffic speeds but how strict is this?
Obviously I understand the need to be present at the station when required but given the reasonable small town one of the stations is in I can’t imagine all the FF live within 5 minutes of it.
Any info or advise would be greatly appreciated.
Not your area but the 5 min rule is rigidly applied local to me.
Having said that several local stations have been consolidated into one hub. The loss of retained firefighters from those stations combined with imvho the daft location of the hub is making recruitment difficult. I know that different working patterns and arrangements / facilities are part of an ongoing review.
Having said that several local stations have been consolidated into one hub. The loss of retained firefighters from those stations combined with imvho the daft location of the hub is making recruitment difficult. I know that different working patterns and arrangements / facilities are part of an ongoing review.
So effectively they’re going to have to review the 5 min rule?
It’s daft even asking really as it’s so plainly obvious why it’s there as you can’t have an appliance waiting in the station blues and twos on for me to arrive and get into kit as I live 10 mins away.
But I can see why it would make recruiting difficult especially the one near me (Ongar, I don’t know that it’s under staffed or not btw) but as it’s not a hugely populated (or densely even) area I’d imagine having 6 able and willing men/women who all live/work within 5 mins at any one time is quite a challenge.
It’s daft even asking really as it’s so plainly obvious why it’s there as you can’t have an appliance waiting in the station blues and twos on for me to arrive and get into kit as I live 10 mins away.
But I can see why it would make recruiting difficult especially the one near me (Ongar, I don’t know that it’s under staffed or not btw) but as it’s not a hugely populated (or densely even) area I’d imagine having 6 able and willing men/women who all live/work within 5 mins at any one time is quite a challenge.
Different working arrangements but no indication of change to 5 minute rule. One suggestion was to use an unused facility to provide space whereby people who worked from home but lived just outside the 5 minute limit eg 8 minutes, could work at or close to the hub then they could be working but on call only a minute away. That was roundly rejected on the basis that when they were at home they'd be outside 5 mins despite it producing better availability and overall better response times.
Seemed like a "well this is how my Dad did it so..." response. Shrug, not my problem, let them get on with advertising.
Seemed like a "well this is how my Dad did it so..." response. Shrug, not my problem, let them get on with advertising.
I'd say there's a fair few at my local station who aren't within 5 minutes. Although might just about be if it's 3am and there's no other traffic
I would speak to your local stations and see how rigid they think the rules are being applied.
What is your current job? would they release you to attend a shout that would probably be a bonus to any retained station.
I would speak to your local stations and see how rigid they think the rules are being applied.
What is your current job? would they release you to attend a shout that would probably be a bonus to any retained station.
I’m gonna pop in on a training night, can only say nah no chance mate!!
I’m in a service and maintenance role covering the south east but get very few call outs (one every couple of months maybe), work the odd night or Saturday sometimes but mostly I’m home mid afternoon the latest so I do have quite a bit of spare time and I’d imagine my employer would be agreeable in terms of keeping any planned FF shifts free.
I’m in a service and maintenance role covering the south east but get very few call outs (one every couple of months maybe), work the odd night or Saturday sometimes but mostly I’m home mid afternoon the latest so I do have quite a bit of spare time and I’d imagine my employer would be agreeable in terms of keeping any planned FF shifts free.
essexplumber said:
I’m gonna pop in on a training night, can only say nah no chance mate!!
I’m in a service and maintenance role covering the south east but get very few call outs (one every couple of months maybe), work the odd night or Saturday sometimes but mostly I’m home mid afternoon the latest so I do have quite a bit of spare time and I’d imagine my employer would be agreeable in terms of keeping any planned FF shifts free.
If it transpires the Fire Service isn't an option, have a look at your local Special Constabulary. Uniformed service that benefits the community, and unlike the days of old, plenty of specialisations on offer and some pretty decent training and opportunities. I worked alongside a lad who joined the Specials as he couldn't do the Fire brigade for one reason or another, and he loved it as you can effectively choose the hours that work for you. I’m in a service and maintenance role covering the south east but get very few call outs (one every couple of months maybe), work the odd night or Saturday sometimes but mostly I’m home mid afternoon the latest so I do have quite a bit of spare time and I’d imagine my employer would be agreeable in terms of keeping any planned FF shifts free.
I'd love to do something like this, but the time commitment must be quite hard. Okay I guess if you work in a shop or office round the corner, but realistically if all you can do is in your spare time then you're not going to be sat at home for 20 hours a week without needing to go out, even just to town or whatever.
Seems like something from the days of yore when more people lived and worked in one place. I guess with the rise in WFH it could be more practical now than for a few years, but it's still difficult to fit into normal life.
Seems like something from the days of yore when more people lived and worked in one place. I guess with the rise in WFH it could be more practical now than for a few years, but it's still difficult to fit into normal life.
essexplumber said:
I thought of that, but I have a conviction from my late teens so dunno if that would affect that.
Can specials get into the traffic division?
Just watching Traffic Cops on C5 and there are specials in some of the double crewed traffic cars. Not seen any driving, mind. Can specials get into the traffic division?
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