On Call Firefighter - West District

Suffolk County Council; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Light card

Firefighters Pension scheme

Uniform and PPE provided

National training schemes

Job summary

Suffolk County Council’s Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting On-Call Firefighters to provide emergency cover across the county. You would work set hours based on availability, carrying a pager, and respond to incidents and training.

Requirements include being 18+, living or working within 5-8 minutes of a fire station, holding a UK driving licence, good fitness, and ability to work in a team. The role offers competitive benefits and a Blue Light card.

Qualifications

• Live or work within 5 to 8 minutes of a fire station in Suffolk.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to personal transport.
• Minimum 18 years old (no upper age limit).
• Be fit enough for on-call duties and able to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Attend fires, road traffic collisions and a wide range of emergencies as part of a response team.
• Work set hours based on availability and carry a pager.
• Participate in training to maintain skills and fitness.

Skills

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Resilience

Willingness to learn

Job description

• Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
• Location: West District - Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Elmswell, Haverhill, Ixworth, Mildenhall, Newmarket, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Wickhambrook
• Salary: Annual salary / retainer fee, plus an hourly rate and disturbance fee for attending incidents and training
• Hours: On Call hours
• Contract: Permanent

How would you like a job that earns you extra money and fits around your work and family commitments?

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are recruiting On-Call Firefighters to join our emergency response service to deal with fires, road traffic collisions and a wide range of emergencies.

On-Call Firefighters are a vital part of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. They provide an efficient, effective service that gives emergency cover across the county. In Suffolk, on-call Firefighters make up 66% of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service workforce and are generally located in rural communities, small towns and villages.

Minimum requirements:

• Minimum 18 years old (there is no upper age limit).
• Live or work within 5 to 8 minutes of a fire station in Suffolk.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and access to personal transport.
• Have a reasonable level of personal fitness.
• Have permission to be released from your main employment to attend emergency incidents (if you will be attending calls whilst at work).
• Can operate at heights and confined spaces.
• Keep calm under pressure.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Can develop your skills and work independently.

Hours of work and pay

You would be contracted to work a set number of hours based on your availability, during which, you would need to keep a pager with you. You would agree which hours you cover; it could be days, nights, weekends or a combination of these.

Benefits of being an On-Call Firefighter:

• The satisfaction and respect that comes with providing such a crucial service.
• Membership of a competitive Firefighters' Pension scheme.
• Issued with a uniform and personal protective equipment.
• Eligibility for a Blue Light card.
• A lifetime of support from the Firefighters Charity for you and your loves ones.
• Access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association.
• An annual cost-of-living increase.
• Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge.
• Diverse and active staff networks.

Additional benefits include shopping vouchers and discounts, public transport discounts, tax‑free bike schemes, a health, wellbeing and lifestyle support scheme, plus lots more!

Stations available:

Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Elmswell, Haverhill, Ixworth, Mildenhall, Newmarket, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Wickhambrook.

Closing date:

11.30 pm, 2 August 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.