Frequently asked questions (FAQs) On-Call

The minimum age before you can join the fire service is 18 years old at the start of the training course. There is no maximum age.

As part of the essential criteria to apply to become a Firefighter you must hold a full UK driving licence, or, be prepared to obtain one within 12 months of starting your employment with us.

Your driving licence must show:

you can drive category B cars
you can drive manual vehicles
your current postal address.

Why?

We need to know:

you can get to our fire stations (and travel between them) with your equipment
you can drive our manual fire service vehicles
you live in one of our eligible postcodes.

If the address on your licence is out of date, get a replacement before your selection day or you may be withdrawn from the recruitment process. Replacements can take over a week.

As part of the essential criteria to apply to become a Firefighter you must hold a full UK driving licence, or, be prepared to obtain one within 12 months of starting your employment with us.

Your driving licence must show:

you can drive category B cars
you can drive manual vehicles
your current postal address.

Why?

We need to know:

you can get to our fire stations (and travel between them) with your equipment
you can drive our manual fire service vehicles
you live in one of our eligible postcodes.

If the address on your licence is out of date, get a replacement before your selection day or you may be withdrawn from the recruitment process. Replacements can take over a week.

The recruitment process can take many months. It could take a year from application to actually commencing employment, depending on the timing of vacancies.

Typically, you’ll be asked to give 60, 90 or 120 hour cover per week. This will depend on your on-call station requirements and the cover you can provide.

On-call firefighters are remunerated for incidents based on a retainer and hourly rates. There are varying pay scales and bands for e.g. development and competent and number of hours on-call for as well as hourly rates and call out remuneration.

Rank	120hrs - 15% of Wholetime	100hrs - 12.5% of Wholetime	90hrs - 10% of Wholetime	60hrs - 7.5% of Wholetime	Wholetime Equivalent salary	Basic Hourly rate	Overtime rate
Firefighter Trainee	Pay rate deleted
Firefighter Development	4558	3798	3038	2279	30384	13.87	20.81
Firefighter	5832	4860	3888	2916	38881	17.75	26.63
Crew Manager	6466	5388	4310	3233	43104	19.68	29.52
Watch Manager A	6789	5658	4526	3395	45260	20.67	31.01
Watch Manager B	7230	6025	4820	3615	48202	22.01	33.02

These are reviewed annually to rise in line with inflation and are negotiated by Trade Unions.

On-call firefighters are remunerated for incidents based on a retainer and hourly rates. There are varying pay scales and bands for e.g. development and competent and number of hours on-call for as well as hourly rates and call out remuneration.

Rank	120hrs - 15% of Wholetime	100hrs - 12.5% of Wholetime	90hrs - 10% of Wholetime	60hrs - 7.5% of Wholetime	Wholetime Equivalent salary	Basic Hourly rate	Overtime rate
Firefighter Trainee	Pay rate deleted
Firefighter Development	4558	3798	3038	2279	30384	13.87	20.81
Firefighter	5832	4860	3888	2916	38881	17.75	26.63
Crew Manager	6466	5388	4310	3233	43104	19.68	29.52
Watch Manager A	6789	5658	4526	3395	45260	20.67	31.01
Watch Manager B	7230	6025	4820	3615	48202	22.01	33.02

These are reviewed annually to rise in line with inflation and are negotiated by Trade Unions.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a firefighter. You are required to declare any convictions for offences that are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This includes any offences dealt with by a court of law, HM Services disciplinary procedures and any driving offences.

Before an offer of employment is made a disclosure document from the Criminal Records Bureau may be obtained. If, at any stage, a conviction is highlighted that you have not declared, your application will be withdrawn from the recruitment process.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a firefighter. You are required to declare any convictions for offences that are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This includes any offences dealt with by a court of law, HM Services disciplinary procedures and any driving offences.

Before an offer of employment is made a disclosure document from the Criminal Records Bureau may be obtained. If, at any stage, a conviction is highlighted that you have not declared, your application will be withdrawn from the recruitment process.

You can be of any nationality to apply, provided that you have the permanent right to remain without restriction in the UK. EU citizens are automatically eligible to apply.

You will be required to supply evidence of your right to work in the UK during the recruitment process.

You can be of any nationality to apply, provided that you have the permanent right to remain without restriction in the UK. EU citizens are automatically eligible to apply.

You will be required to supply evidence of your right to work in the UK during the recruitment process.

The requirements for applying for an on-call station are that you either live or work within 5 minutes of the on-call fire station.

Proof of address will be required at the time of application and post codes will also checked by a member of the team for response times.

The requirements for applying for an on-call station are that you either live or work within 5 minutes of the on-call fire station.

Proof of address will be required at the time of application and post codes will also checked by a member of the team for response times.

Yes. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has now been amended and the role of firefighter is no longer exempt from the Act. This means that anyone who considers themselves to have a disability can apply to join the fire service.

A disability is defined by the Act as: Anyone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

You will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process and to give details of the type of adjustments you may require in order to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter, should you be successful. Each case will be considered on an individual basis and if reasonable adjustments can be made to enable you to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter, then your application will proceed.

Yes. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has now been amended and the role of firefighter is no longer exempt from the Act. This means that anyone who considers themselves to have a disability can apply to join the fire service.

A disability is defined by the Act as: Anyone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

You will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process and to give details of the type of adjustments you may require in order to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter, should you be successful. Each case will be considered on an individual basis and if reasonable adjustments can be made to enable you to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter, then your application will proceed.

Dyslexia is classed as a disability and you will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process. Please make a member of the team aware as soon as possible so we can make reasonable adjustments for you during the recruitment process.

When you get to the timed written tests you will be asked if you suffer with dyslexia and you should answer "yes". You will then be asked to contact us directly so as we can discuss any reasonable adjustments, such as additional time to undertake the assessments. You will be required to provide evidence of your dyslexia.

Dyslexia is classed as a disability and you will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process. Please make a member of the team aware as soon as possible so we can make reasonable adjustments for you during the recruitment process.

When you get to the timed written tests you will be asked if you suffer with dyslexia and you should answer "yes". You will then be asked to contact us directly so as we can discuss any reasonable adjustments, such as additional time to undertake the assessments. You will be required to provide evidence of your dyslexia.

Facial hair (beards and sideburns) affect the seal on the Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) including BA and face masks. If, for medical or religious reasons, this cannot be achieved this will be looked at and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

Due to the nature of the role, there may be times when this is not possible. However, we actively support employees who wish to pray at work to balance their individual beliefs with operational needs. Fasting firefighters always ensure that both their colleagues and they remain safe by actively managing their energy and hydration levels where necessary.

Yes. Dreadlocks (including braids, cornrows, plaits etc.) like any employee's hair, needs to be kept tidy and not interfere with your personal protection fire fighting uniform. These rules help keep fire fighters safe.

No. The assessments are the same for both genders.

For health and safety reasons, all piercings must be removed before commencing operational duty.

Tattoos are acceptable providing they could not be deemed as offensive. Tattoos are unacceptable if they are rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic or violent.

For health and safety reasons, all piercings must be removed before commencing operational duty.

Tattoos are acceptable providing they could not be deemed as offensive. Tattoos are unacceptable if they are rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic or violent.

Water rescue is a specialist role which you may be asked to perform. You will be required to swim 25 metres prior to attending your water rescue course.

You will need to be reasonably fit and maintain your fitness levels throughout your career as a firefighter. You will be required to undertake a fitness evaluation to determine your aerobic capacity is at least a VO2 max level of 42. You are also required to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

There are many medical conditions that will exclude you from joining as a firefighter. We suggest that if you have any condition you are unsure about, the easiest way to get confirmation that it will exclude you is to contact us.

Yes. Firefighters require good vision in both eyes and part of the recruitment process will include an eye test. Our Occupational Health Team will determine whether your vision meets the standards to become a firefighter.

Refractive surgery in recruits and active FFs will be acceptable in the following circumstances:-

Surgery involving PRK, LASIK, LASEK.

The following information will need to be supplied at the applicants expense;

Date of surgery (12 months post op minimum)
Evidence all medication related to surgery has been stopped.
Details of pre-op refractive error.
A report of a slit lamp examination confirming recovery from the operation and that no loss of transparency over the central cornea.
A confirmation that there is no keratectasia.
Details of post-operative corneal thickness and any complications.
Evidence of satisfactory visual performance using a low contrast log MAR chart.

Yes. Firefighters require good vision in both eyes and part of the recruitment process will include an eye test. Our Occupational Health Team will determine whether your vision meets the standards to become a firefighter.

Refractive surgery in recruits and active FFs will be acceptable in the following circumstances:-

Surgery involving PRK, LASIK, LASEK.

The following information will need to be supplied at the applicants expense;

Date of surgery (12 months post op minimum)
Evidence all medication related to surgery has been stopped.
Details of pre-op refractive error.
A report of a slit lamp examination confirming recovery from the operation and that no loss of transparency over the central cornea.
A confirmation that there is no keratectasia.
Details of post-operative corneal thickness and any complications.
Evidence of satisfactory visual performance using a low contrast log MAR chart.

You should have an appropriate level of colour perception. The recommended test procedure uses the Ishihara test as the initial screen, with two additional tests if the applicant fails the screening, to determine the severity and type of colour vision deficiency.

Hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent (e.g. GCSE grade C or 4 or above)*

* If you do not currently hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent qualifications, you will be required to obtain this as part of your development programme. You will be supported to achieve these qualifications alongside your apprenticeship.

The Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship requires candidates to hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent qualifications prior to taking the end point assessment.

Hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent (e.g. GCSE grade C or 4 or above)*

* If you do not currently hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent qualifications, you will be required to obtain this as part of your development programme. You will be supported to achieve these qualifications alongside your apprenticeship.

The Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship requires candidates to hold a Level 2 qualification in Math’s and English or the equivalent qualifications prior to taking the end point assessment.

You can only apply for an on-call station that you live or work within 5 minutes of.

In circumstances such as this we may accept references from customers, your accountant or other suitable persons that will be certified with GCC Human Resources (HR) team prior to any job offer.

Yes, it is the same process for all applying, there is no transferee process at this time.

No, we will ask for evidence from your FRS to prove your competence to start your employment with us on Competent Firefighter pay.

Training will normally start within 6 months of the recruitment process finishing but can take up to a year. You will be kept informed throughout.

There is no minimum or maximum height within the Fire and Rescue Service.

Please watch a short Q&A video with our Chief Fire Officer.

Training school is a residential at Severn Park in Avonmouth.

Core skills is 2 weeks
BA – 2 weeks
RTC training – 3 days

Training school is a residential at Severn Park in Avonmouth.

Core skills is 2 weeks
BA – 2 weeks
RTC training – 3 days

Yes, you will be paid for the duration of your training school course

It takes anything up to 4 years to become competent, depending on your speed of learning and exposure to incidents.

On average 2-3 times a week depending on your station area. In hot summers you may be busy with grass fires. Alternatively, during prolonged wet periods, you may attend flooding.

Yes, but you must make sure that you carry your pager on you and that you can still get to the station within 5 minutes. If you need you go further afield you will need to book off duty.

You will need to commit to the contracted hours but there will be some flexibility depending on the rest of the team. This will be looked at on a case by case basis.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) On-Call

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