Duration: 18-month apprenticeship, then up to 36 months to achieve full competency as a firefighter. Assessment: an assessment at 18 months that includes a knowledge test, practical observation and a professional discussion.
How long does it take to qualify as a firefighter?
What firefighter training is involved? All new firefighters are required to undergo extensive training that normally lasts between 12 and 16 weeks.
Are firefighters paid well UK?
As a Trainee Firefighter you’ll earn a salary of £27,750 pa including London Weighting. Once fully qualified, your salary will increase to £37,032 p.a. Firefighters also receive great benefits including a pension scheme, childcare support, interest-free loans, training opportunities and a flexible working arrangement.
What it takes to become a firefighter UK?
You’ll need to:
- pass a fitness test.
- pass a medical check.
- pass enhanced background checks.
- have a full driving licence.
- be over 18 years of age.
How much does a UK firefighter make?
Find out what the average Firefighter salary is
The average firefighter salary in the United Kingdom is £27,953 per year or £14.33 per hour.
How hard is it to become a firefighter UK?
It’s really difficult to become a firefighter. A constant story from many firefighters is that it can take many attempts before you’re successful. You need to find out when the fire service you’re considering to apply to is likely to have its next recruitment period.
DO YOU NEED A levels to be a firefighter?
Qualifications. You don’t need any particular qualifications to become a firefighter, however you’ll be expected to pass English and Maths tests at a GCSE Grade C level (or equivalent).
Who gets paid more fireman or police UK?
A firefighter leading a crew earns just over £30,000, while a station officer can earn more than £38,000.
How long are firefighter shifts UK?
Most of our operational firefighters work a standard shift pattern from 08:00 until 18:00 on a ‘tour’ of two days, two nights then four days off.
What do firefighters do on night shift UK?
Training, fire safety work, and some inspections are done during night shifts if crews are not responding to emergency calls.
Is there a weight limit to be a firefighter UK?
I have heard you need to be a particular size and build to become a firefighter, is this true? There used to be restrictions on height, weight and chest expansion. This is no longer the case, but you will be expected to pass strength and fitness tests as part of the recruitment process.
What disqualifies you from being a firefighter UK?
Minimum age of 17 ½ years old – Candidates must meet this lower age limit at the time of application. There is no maximum age limit. No unspent convictions on criminal record – Candidates must not have any unspent criminal convictions on their record. This rule applies to all emergency service roles.
Is firefighting a good career?
It has been said that firefighters have the best job in the world. Theirs is a profession that is exciting, rewarding, and secure. It also provides excellent pay, benefits, and promotional opportunities. Firefighters are also highly esteemed members of their communities.
What do firefighters do all day UK?
They include: responding immediately and safely to emergency calls and requests for assistance. attending emergency incidents including fires, road accidents, floods, terrorist incidents, spillages of dangerous substances, and rail and air crashes. rescuing trapped people and animals.
What do firefighters do all day?
The main duties of a full-time firefighter are to help protect the public in emergency situations. Firefighters also work in ambulances. Firefighters respond to a wide variety of calls, such as car crashes, chemical spills, flooding, water rescue and general rescue as well as fires.
Where are firefighters paid the most UK?
Highest paying cities for Firefighters near United Kingdom
- Southampton. £46,135 per year. 5 salaries reported.
- Lakenheath. £40,644 per year. 5 salaries reported.
- Hamilton. £38,110 per year. 5 salaries reported.
- Aberdeen. £38,052 per year. 43 salaries reported.
- Edinburgh. £37,967 per year. 23 salaries reported.
Do firefighters need math?
Firefighters need to use mental math when choosing how to attack a fire safely and avoid damaging the integrity of a building. Our degree program also trains firefighters to use a method called the Fire Flow Formula to determine how much water they will require to suppress a fire.
Do firefighters need to be able to swim?
As part of their duties, Firefighters are generally expected to be able to perform in-water rescues if required. Therefore firefighters need to be able to swim and be confident in water to the levels set in the essential criteria by the FRS. These may vary slightly from FRS to FRS – like everything else in the process!
What uniform do firefighters wear UK?
The ‘gold standard’ of modernised personal protective equipment (PPE) reflects the changing role of the modern firefighter. The light colour of the ‘Titan 1260 fabric with PBI fibres in the gold colour will show contamination easier than the previous dark blue PPE.
Which is safer police or firefighter?
However, when compared, the job of a police officer is more dangerous because you have to deal with firearms and threatening situations regularly. Statistics show that there are 70 line-of-duty firefighter deaths yearly, whereas 176 line-of-duty police officers died this year.
Do UK firefighters get overtime?
Work overtime
Most firefighters are expected to work at least some overtime, which is paid at a higher rate than normal working hours.