On-Call (RDS) Firefighter Recruits- Heathfield Community Fire Station

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service; Wealden; On-site; GBP 5,000 - 7,000; Part time

Job summary

A local fire service in Wealden seeks On-call Firefighters to support the community. Candidates must be over 17.5, enthusiastic about teamwork, and maintain personal fitness. The role involves responding to emergencies, attending weekly training sessions, and upholding safety standards. Full training is available, and benefits include a retaining fee and hourly payment for active duties. This is an immensely rewarding opportunity to serve while balancing a day job.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Training and development

Community-focused work

Qualifications

• Must be over 17.5 years of age at the time of application.
• Strong desire to support the local community.
• Enthusiastic about teamwork.
• Good level of personal fitness.
• Clean-shaven for safety reasons.

Responsibilities

• Remain within 5 minutes of the fire station during on-call hours.
• Attend weekly drill nights lasting 2-3 hours.
• Respond to emergency calls and support the crew.
• Maintain and care for firefighting equipment.
• Participate in ongoing training.

Skills

Teamwork

Personal fitness

Community support

Job description

Overview

Heathfield, your local fire station, is currently looking for ordinary people that can combine their day job with being on‑call and provide cover for Fire and Rescue situations and emergencies. We are looking for those that can offer weekend cover and/or weekday daytime cover. On‑call firefighters carry alerters when on duty and MUST be at the fire station, ready to turn out within 5 minutes of the alerter sounding. They travel at normal road speeds, typically from home, friends, relatives or their place of work. The minimum hours required to become an On‑Call Firefighter is 40 hours per week (hpw) or an average of 40 hpw over any given period. If you work a shift pattern or varied hours in your primary employment this can usually be accommodated. Whilst the hours are fairly flexible depending on the station’s needs, you would need to be available to respond for a minimum of 40 hpw. This doesn’t mean that you are working for 40 hpw, you just need to be available if we need you. The number of hours that you are able to provide will be reflected in your retaining rate (part of your salary). We have four pay bands: AB2 31‑60 hours per week, AB3 61‑90 hours per week, AB4 91‑119 hours per week, AB5 120 hours per week. Please see the information below and the attached document for further details about pay. You are also required to attend a drill night once a week. This usually lasts between 2‑3 hours and is held on Monday evenings at 19.00 at Heathfield Community Fire Station. You would train with the team and learn to maintain any equipment. These hours would form part of your minimum requirement of 40 hpw. During the application process you will be asked to detail the hours of availability you can provide; these hours will form part of your contractual hours at the recruitment stage. It’s a huge commitment but an immensely rewarding way to serve the community, keep the public safe and earn an extra income. Every walk of life is represented; On‑call firefighters respond to a range of fire and rescue service jobs, from emergency calls to open days, carrying out work with local communities and acting as ambassadors for the fire service. Over 90% of On‑call firefighters in East Sussex do their firefighting work alongside their day job. Full training is provided on an ongoing basis, so previous experience is not needed.

Responsibilities

• Remain within 5 minutes of the fire station during your agreed on‑call hours.
• Attend a drill night each week, usually Monday evenings at 19.00, lasting 2‑3 hours.
• Respond to emergency calls and support the fire station crew as required.
• Maintain and care for firefighting equipment.
• Participate in ongoing training and fitness tests to remain competent.

Training

• Initial training: two induction weekends, a two‑week Core Skills Course (Monday to Friday) and an RTC weekend.
• Upon completion, ride a fire appliance in a limited capacity and enter the Firefighter (On‑call) Development Programme accredited by Skills for Justice.
• Estimated programme duration: approximately 2 years, varying by individual.
• Further training within 12 months after the Core Skills Course:
• Safe Working at Height Course – 2 days spaced 6 weeks apart.
• Water Basic Course – 2 days.
• Breathing Apparatus (BA) Readiness Course – 1 day.
• Initial BA Wearers Course – Two weeks (Monday to Friday).
• 2½ hour drill nights on your station each week.
• 4 hours per month theoretical training.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Be over 17.5 years of age at the time of application (we are unable to employ anyone under the age of 18).
• Have a strong desire to support the local community.
• Be enthusiastic about working as part of a team.
• Be willing to uphold the ESFRS values.
• Have a good level of personal fitness.
• Be clean‑shaven for Health & Safety reasons, to ensure your Breathing Apparatus has a complete seal.

Diversity & Inclusion

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service values diversity and recognises that different people bring different experiences, ideas, knowledge and culture. We aim to recruit a workforce that reflects our communities across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds who share our values and want to make a difference to the community. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, including those who may not have considered a career in the fire and rescue service before. Guidance is in place to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including reasonable adjustments for people with a disability or neurodiversity.

Values

• PROUD – We are proud of our Service and enjoy working in a positive environment by continually improving our services and our organisation.
• ACCOUNTABLE – Serving our whole community by providing a good, cost‑effective service.
• INTEGRITY – Trust, integrity, initiative and innovation by being open, honest and encouraging creativity.
• RESPECT – Respect and dignity for all by treating members of our community and each other in a way that values their individuality and by challenging discrimination and unsuitable behaviour.

Benefits & Pay

• Competent (fully qualified) On‑call Firefighters are paid an annual retaining fee of up to £5,651+ and an hourly rate of up to £17.20 for any work undertaken for the Service, including responding to incidents and training.
• Time spent on‑call but not working is not paid at an hourly rate.
• Annual earnings will depend on how much cover can be offered, the level of training and how often on‑call firefighters get called out. The average earned by on‑call firefighters in East Sussex in 2024 ranged between £5,000 and £7,000.

Recruitment Notes

All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made. Recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services’ Organisational Change policy.