Luke0549 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Hi people. It's something I've looked at doing as realistically I need some form of career. I trained as a police officer a few years ago and have always been interested in public services. I've fallen into the pub trade, and somehow blagged being a manager, but it's poor money and serving drunks and mopping floors at 2am is not something I love. Any fire fighters here? Just seeing where you work. Would you recommend it? What's the deal with the shift patterns Etc etc. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plebpl Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Hello, not a fire fighter but have looked into it in the past, not many forces are hiring straight from the public. I know Hampshire haven't hired in about 5 years! The best option is to become a retained fire fighter at your local station. you sign on and off call on line and get paid for it. But any form of hiring is mainly from retained fighters now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cutbacks, cutbacks, cutbacks. About as much chance of becoming a firefighter as becoming a police officer these days, sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimboy2 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I used to work in a Naval fire fighting training school. Best job I had. 19 year old setting fire to pallets and watching trainees putting them out. Really wish I carried it on and tried to join the fire service but even back then it was a night mare. Also looked into joint the RAF as a fire fighter. Good luck in what ever you do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeezeebaba Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Many moons ago I made it through 1700 applicants down to 40. Attended Wray Park in Reigate and failed the physical. Joined plod instead.Staying fit and relatively strong is a must as it's a physically demanding job. Most outfits now utilise a fair amount of retained staff and imagine the best route in would be as a part timer. At least that way you get a good insight and experience. Living close to a station is a major plus. I work with a guy who does this, he can schedule his availability on an online rota. He does attend scheduled drill training sessions too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djtimo Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I've done 7 years as an on call industrial (gas/oil) fire fighter. I would look into private sector work as well as full time shift fire fighters where I work earn what a station manager would earn as a basic crew. Plus you don't deal with road traffic accidents everyday. Down side is when you get a shout its not a burning wheelie bin its 1000 tones of high pressure lpg hahha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmp999 Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Hi Luke, I have been in the Fire Service for 25 years now and have to say for the most it's been great. When I joined the old guy's used to say how thing's had changed since they started. Well now it's my turn, it is the kind of job that moves with the times, we now train for many things. The average Firefighter is now trained to fight fires, casualty care, road traffic accidents, chemical incident, water rescue and line rescue, animal rescue and I don't mean cat's. We also have specialist teams trained to a higher standard in these areas and then we are all trained for the modern threat of terrorism. We have a laugh but we also see some bad things, we don't play snooker or dart's all day as some would like to believe times are changing in the Public services but I can honestly say my time has been enjoyable, always something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy.farrow7 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I am a firefighter offshore along side my other role. But the oil and gas industry is in decline also at the moment. I wish you the best mate. I have huge respect to those who risk their lives helping complete strangers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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