Fire Control Operator

WFS Patron; North East; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Car parking

Healthcare

Pension scheme

Job summary

County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a Firefighter Control Operator on a fixed-term 18-month contract, based at Service Headquarters. This role focuses on answering emergency calls, mobilising resources, and guiding the public to safety during incidents.

Successful applicants will work a 42-hour week in a rotating shift pattern that includes nights, weekends and public holidays, and will complete a Level 3 Emergency Services Contact Handler apprenticeship during work

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will work well in a team and communicate clearly under pressure.
• Ability to multi-task, show problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good keyboard skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Answer, record and action emergency calls.
• Mobilise resources to incidents across the County.
• Provide support and guidance to members of the public.
• Assist in the continued management of incidents.
• Carry out emergency and non-emergency tasks to support and maintain an effective Fire Service response.
• Have the ability to work under pressure in a fast-changing environment.
• Be able to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Undertake intensive initial training and study.
• Have a good level of commitment to own development.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Under pressure

Problem solving

Keyboard skills

Job description

Do you have what it takes to work in a demanding Control Room of an Emergency Service?

County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue (CDDFRS) is looking to recruit a highly motivated person to join the Fire Control team as a Firefighter (Control Operator), on a fixed-term 18-month contract, based at Service Headquarters.

About the role

We are looking for inspiring individuals who are motivated by improving how we do things and making a real difference for our communities. Applicants must be innovative and dynamic, be willing to accept and drive change and be a role model for our Service values. The ability to collaborate and work flexibly and coherently as part of a team is a must. Individuals must be professional, enthusiastic and self-motivated.

The primary role of a Control Operator is to:

Answer, record and action emergency calls

Mobilise resources to incidents throughout the County.

Provide support and guidance to members of the public.

Assist in the continued management of incidents.

Carry out a variety of emergency and non-emergency tasks to support and maintain an effective Fire Service response.

Have the ability to work under pressure in a fast-changing environment.

Have a positive and flexible attitude to all aspects of work.

Be able to work as part of a team and act on own initiative.

Be able to undertake intensive initial training and study

Have a good level of commitment to own development

A Firefighter Control will work on average a 42-hour working week and will be aligned to a rotating shift pattern including nights, weekends, and public holidays. As part of your role you will complete a Level 3 Emergency Services Contact Handler apprenticeship. This will be completed during work time to gain competency in the role.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate for this role will have a desire to work with members of the community, using excellent communication skills, and be calm and confident when working under pressure. We are looking for team players who are positive in approach and committed to learning and developing their skills. An ability to multi-task effectively and demonstrate good problem-solving and decision-making skills is also required. Successful candidates will show attention to detail, and have excellent keyboard skills.

What we offer

In return the post offers 27 days annual leave rising to 32 days after 5 years, sports facilities, car parking, healthcare and a pension scheme.

We consider ourselves to be a professional, high performing, inclusive and innovative organisation which is well regarded by the communities we serve and the partner organisations with whom we collaborate.

For further information please contact Alison Farndale, Station Manager Control on 07971952267 or [e-mail]

Closing date: 28th October 2026 @ 09:00

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a person without a disability, we have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to our processes.

This job is open to applicants from anyone who has the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

TheNFCC Code of Ethics (opens in a new window)sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all Fire Service employees.

County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent. To learn more please see theCDDFRS People Strategy (opens in a new window).

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service aims to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes and encourages applications from under-represented groups.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Fire & Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants and employees to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands. Information provided will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying or in which you work (please refer to the guidance notes www.gov.uk/guidance/rehabilitation-periods for more information).

Legislative change enables Fire and Rescue Services to be eligible for a Standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for employees of the Service, including volunteers. Applicants are required to inform us of any pending or incomplete investigations of a safeguarding nature that are ongoing, or that arise during periods of application and pre-employment. A table of rehabilitation periods for the most common sentences and disposals, and example scenarios can be found here www.gov.uk

Our Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such, any risk assessments used for positive disclosures will incorporate both a reasonable and proportionate response.