Firefighter

Introduction

Firefighters are called out to extinguish fires. They also give information about fire safety and prevention. They deal with other emergencies, such as floods, hazardous chemical spillages and road and rail accidents. They use a wide range of equipment. Entrants must be at least 18 years old.

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Work Activities

A firefighter's job is to fight fires, in order to save lives and property. Firefighters also deal with emergencies such as road traffic accidents, chemical spills, floods and rescue situations.

Firefighters who are 'on-call' are based in fire stations. Between call-outs they maintain the fire engines, check equipment and practise firefighting techniques. When called out to an emergency they travel at speed in the fire engine, with a blue light and siren, to the scene.

When dealing with a fire, they first check that everyone is out of the building or area. Some firefighters pump water and foam onto the fire, while others enter the building, to locate anyone trapped inside.

They use equipment such as ladders, breathing apparatus, two-way radios and possibly thermal imaging cameras to help find people in smoke filled rooms. They rescue any occupants and give them first aid until an ambulance arrives.

When dealing with road, rail and air accidents, firefighters use specialist equipment to cut people free from damaged vehicles. They pump water out of buildings that have been flooded and also rescue people and animals from dangerous situations, such as frozen lochs.

When they return to the station after an emergency, some firefighters write reports which may be used by the police and insurance companies.

Firefighters also advise on fire prevention to staff in shops, factories, offices and hotels. They visit schools and community groups, to raise general awareness about fire and its prevention. They check that requirements, such as the provision of adequate escape routes, are being met.

In most areas outside the cities there are part-time firefighters, 'retained firefighters', who have other jobs, but carry bleepers to alert them to emergencies. They usually train once a week to keep up-to-date. They are paid an annual fee and a fee for each call-out.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

This is a demanding job and firefighters need to be fit and agile with no breathing problems. You must be able to work at heights and in confined spaces. You must be able to carry awkward equipment weighing 25kg. You must be able to climb over walls, through windows and skylights, up ladders placed on half burnt stairs, and the basement from the attic by rope made fast on a chimney.

You need good eyesight - in some cases without glasses or contact lenses - good hearing and often accurate colour vision.

You need to be courageous, adaptable, able to work under pressure, carry out orders and cope with distressing situations. You must be able to communicate effectively with other firefighters and with the public.

Good teamwork is vital, as individual safety can depend on others.

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Pay and Opportunities

In Scotland from 1 July 2008, the starting salary for a firefighter is £20,896 a year. After training and becoming competent the salary rises to £27,851 a year. Salary does not rise with experience; only with promotion. Station officers can earn over £39,000 a year.

In most areas firefighters are "retained" on a part-time basis and have other jobs. These firefighters are paid a retaining fee of £2,090 - £2,786 a year, plus additional fees for each incident they attend.

Full-time firefighters work 42 hours a week, in shifts, on a rota basis. This includes evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Each of the eight Scottish fire and rescue services is responsible for its own recruitment. Details of recruitment plans are given on the websites of the Scottish fire and rescue service.

Provided you keep up with training and take exams, promotion prospects in the service are good. However, there is strong competition.

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. The minimum age of entry is 18 years. The normal retirement age for firefighters is 60. New entrants must pass physical tests.

The entry requirements are the same for all full-time or retained (part-time) firefighters. Retained firefighters need to live and work near to a fire station.

Grants for study or research are available from the Institution of Fire Engineers.

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Further Information

Contact your local Fire Service.

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