Role of a Firefighter

The common image of the Fire and Rescue service is naturally one of firefighters turning out in fire appliances and fighting fires. It is true, of course that some of the work involves attendance at fires, but the role of the service is much wider.
In addition the firefighters' working life and training also has to be geared to responding at top speed to emergency calls, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day or night. Every time firefighters are called to the scene of an emergency they must be prepared to deploy each and every skill in which they have been trained.
Fully competent firefighters are skilled technicians capable of using the most modern equipment, methods and techniques to undertake the full range of firefighting, rescue, road accidents and other emergencies which the Fire and Rescue Service is called upon to deal with.
The role of a Firefighter is ever changing. Although responding to emergencies is what we are known for, the reality is that we spend a lot of time doing other things, which include Community Fire Safety, Training & Development and Station Routines.

Community Fire Safety

To prevent fire and accidents from starting in the first place.

Educating the community by visiting schools, community centres, people in their own homes, wherever the fire safety message can be delivered.

Having local knowledge of the area, such as streets, roads and buildings.

Advising people about planning escape routes within their own homes in case of a fire

Actively seeking to understand and to value diverse individuals and groups.

Training and Development

To undertake a continuous training programme by attending lectures, exercises, practical training sessions and other forms of training to maintain competence levels.

Take responsibility for developing your own skills.

Ensuring your fitness levels are maintained as the work can be demanding both physically and mentally.

Responding to Emergencies

To respond immediately and safely to all emergency calls.

Minimise distress and suffering, including giving first aid.

Dealing with many kinds of emergencies, including pumping out flooded premises, chemical spills, providing casualty care and extraction at road traffic accidents and rescuing people who are trapped in buildings or lifts.

Station Routines

You will need to maintain, clean and test fire service equipment ensuring its readiness for use, using approved procedures in accordance with current Health and Safety practice.

Each item of equipment to be maintained and updated using test record cards.

Access and record information whether written or using basic computer skills.

Incidents

When firefighters arrive at an incident as part of a team under the command of a Watch Manager or Crew Manager, firefighters may individually have to absorb a great deal of information rapidly and apply the skills they have learnt in conditions which will often be extremely dangerous and confusing. Despite all the training given in preparation for such incidents, however, firefighters will from time to time be faced with new situations where they may individually be required to provide the answers using previous experiences as a guide.

A firefighter wearing breathing apparatus feeling a way through a smoke filled building with toxic hazards in order to effect a rescue cannot ask for instructions. In order to function effectively in emergencies every firefighters pre-eminent characteristics must be those of courage, physical strength, the capacity for rapid, intense and sustained effort, an unquestioning acceptance of orders at emergencies combined with the capacity to use initiative when alone, the skilled technicians complete an automatic familiarity with the equipment and tools of the profession which may range up to major items of plant such as turntable ladders, a practical understanding of the basis of a wide range of subjects necessary to anticipate and overcome hazards, sympathy towards the victims of emergencies and the ability to carry on in what may occasionally be emotionally harrowing circumstances.
There are certain personal attributes that you will need to help you fulfill your role as a Firefighter. They are to name but a few: commitment to diversity, integrity, confidence, resilience, adaptability and effective communication all of which are explained in our PQA’s section.
If you have read this, think you have what it takes and wish to join the Fire and Rescue Service as a firefighter, you will need to complete and pass the following stages, all of which are explained in more detail throughout the recruitment section:

• Initial Application.
• Psychological Tests
• Physical Tests
• Interview
• Medical and References