Any Retained Firefighters?
Discussion
Had a letter through the door today saying that my local station are recruiting.
In another life I would have liked to have been a full-time firefighter, even applied about 10 years ago but failed due to recently having an ear op. Anyhow I had a similar letter through a couple of years ago but didn't pursue as I was doing some part time study.
I'm contemplating going through with the process but would like to get an idea of what's involved before I go ahead and waste anyones time.
Current situation is 30 year, physically fit, Chemical Engineer, well paid working days 40 hours per week Mon-Fri. Employer seem supportive of this sort of thing, I don't know of any retained firefighter in the company but know a bloke who's in the mountain rescue and if he gets the call he can go during work hours. My home meets the criteria of being within 5 minutes of the station, work is about 15-20.
I guess I'd view it as a bit of a hobby, and a chance do do something meaningful in my spare time. I understand you get paid but no idea how much, although the money isn't important.
Would appreciate any experiences for current or former firefighters.
Cheers
In another life I would have liked to have been a full-time firefighter, even applied about 10 years ago but failed due to recently having an ear op. Anyhow I had a similar letter through a couple of years ago but didn't pursue as I was doing some part time study.
I'm contemplating going through with the process but would like to get an idea of what's involved before I go ahead and waste anyones time.
Current situation is 30 year, physically fit, Chemical Engineer, well paid working days 40 hours per week Mon-Fri. Employer seem supportive of this sort of thing, I don't know of any retained firefighter in the company but know a bloke who's in the mountain rescue and if he gets the call he can go during work hours. My home meets the criteria of being within 5 minutes of the station, work is about 15-20.
I guess I'd view it as a bit of a hobby, and a chance do do something meaningful in my spare time. I understand you get paid but no idea how much, although the money isn't important.
Would appreciate any experiences for current or former firefighters.
Cheers
Best advice I can give. Find out the day and time of the stations drill night. Normally a weekday evening. Visit the station and speak with crew and they will answer every question. I'd guess, unless severely short staffed, the distance from work will be too great, so will only be able to do it when at home.
As above; get info from the horses mouth.
My contact has been when I was first on scene at a major incident and assumed role of incident commander. Fire & Rescue were first emergency service to arrive on scene; they were retained fire fighters from a station only a short distance from the incident thankfully. However...I made it known I was in charge and they just all ran straight past me, keen to do something. Of course this went against a principles of responding to an incident. It was only then I realised they were the part-timers; full timers I know would have reacted differently. Having said that, they were quick so living near the station and being ready is key. Good luck!
My contact has been when I was first on scene at a major incident and assumed role of incident commander. Fire & Rescue were first emergency service to arrive on scene; they were retained fire fighters from a station only a short distance from the incident thankfully. However...I made it known I was in charge and they just all ran straight past me, keen to do something. Of course this went against a principles of responding to an incident. It was only then I realised they were the part-timers; full timers I know would have reacted differently. Having said that, they were quick so living near the station and being ready is key. Good luck!
What do you do Rog? At certain incidents, fire service has overall control, no matter who states otherwise. There should also be no difference between Wholetime and retained. They receive the same training and operate to the same guidelines, something the retained fought for years to get and do not generally do anything that could jeopardise that.
I was first on scene as a member of the public and assumed control of the incident until the arrival of the emergency services. Upon arrival, instead of rushing in to an incident that they may have limited information about, they should, in order to protect themselves and provide an appropriate response, seek a brief from whoever is controlling the incident prior to their arrival. And you're right, whichever bit of the emergency services arrive first should then take control.
From experience, on info already obtained, a brief will be given to the crew on route and they will immediately start to work on that on arrival. Sometimes there is a need to just get on with it and gather info from others ASAP. Sadly, not all public give correct info or understand what is important or needed. I found the best way, if you have important info, is to make yourself very known, usually giving the info to a white hat and getting an acknowledgement. They are highly trained and know how to take multiple pieces of info at nice and deciding in order of importance.
They are all highly trained and deal with most incidents on a daily basis. What may seem extreme to the public, can be something entirely routine to them.
Of course, not knowing the circumstances of your incident or background Rog, that could all be completely wrong for you, so please don't take offense.
They are all highly trained and deal with most incidents on a daily basis. What may seem extreme to the public, can be something entirely routine to them.
Of course, not knowing the circumstances of your incident or background Rog, that could all be completely wrong for you, so please don't take offense.
No offence taken. I did make it known I was in control and they all just ran past me, keen to get on. I was prepared to brief them on what I'd done to control the fuel spillage in the upturned car; what I'd done to ensure the HGV and it's flammable contents were secure and the condition of the casualty still trapped, but comfortable, in the upturned car. On that day, their enthusiasm overtook standard drills IMHO. Thankfully, on that day, there were no adverse consequences as a result of that enthusiasm.
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