Anyone here a part-time/volentary fireman?

petemyster · 6 Jul 2010 at 14:04

Hey, I have till the 1st of October before my Uni term starts, and I'm thinking of spending my free time usefully by volunteering for my local fire service (live 3 mins drive away from a fire station).

I was wondering has anyone here done this? Im 18 and physically fit, just looking for any opinions on what its like by people who have done it.

tres · 6 Jul 2010 at 14:15

I don't think they'd take you on for such a short period of time - the amount of training involved is considerable.

Best thing to do of course, is call the station. Speak to someone, have a friendly chat, they'll soon let you know what you want to hear

petemyster · 6 Jul 2010 at 14:20

tres said:
I don't think they'd take you on for such a short period of time - the amount of training involved is considerable.

Yeah I thought this aswell, but I figured I might like it enough to carry it on throughout uni and if not, just take it up again over the holiday periods.

Kutter · 6 Jul 2010 at 15:07

Im thinking of doing this when i move to the USA. Most of the fire departments round where im going to be living are voluntary.

The Dread Pirate · 6 Jul 2010 at 15:20

Doh I was expecting the OP to read

...if so how do you put out a Hypothetical electrical fire that may have hypothetical napalm on it thats located under a hypothetical gas main.

Why is real life so dull!

eddiemcgarrigle · 6 Jul 2010 at 16:01

I doubt that you will be able to deal with the new rota system that is being tested out for retained staff. A crew will be designated as 'on call' and must attend 100% of turn outs, a second crew is in reserve and makes up any shortfall in the first crew whether it be down to traffic, sickness or their own personal emergency. There are plenty of other voluntary organisations out there that could use you if you are intent on doing something useful.

petemyster · 6 Jul 2010 at 18:11

eddiemcgarrigle said:
I doubt that you will be able to deal with the new rota system that is being tested out for retained staff. A crew will be designated as 'on call' and must attend 100% of turn outs, a second crew is in reserve and makes up any shortfall in the first crew whether it be down to traffic, sickness or their own personal emergency. There are plenty of other voluntary organisations out there that could use you if you are intent on doing something useful.

What makes you think one wouldn't be able to deal with the rota system? Thats exactly what I had in mind it would be like.

I'm guessing you are a fireman, in which case do you recommend it (for what I have in mind)? I'm completely fine with the demands of the rota system (though I'm sure its a lot harder to keeper than just simply being around the station on the set days I'm given).

Capn' $qu!ff said:
Doh I was expecting the OP to read

...if so how do you put out a Hypothetical electrical fire that may have hypothetical napalm on it thats located under a hypothetical gas main.

Why is real life so dull!

Later, when I stage my own mass fire then maricously be at the scene to resuce the orphans by myself... :eek:

eddiemcgarrigle · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:07

You said you would be returning to Uni so would you still fall within the one mile radius of the Fire Station? Would your Uni be happy with you leaving in the middle of class when your pager activates?

If you think you can be of service then, by all means, apply. Lots of Retained stations are struggling to make up the numbers so every little helps.

HAz · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:15

It doesnt really work like that in the fire service, from first application till being on the run took over a year for me. Once you have done your BA training you go into a development stage, you can ride the appliance but wont be deamed compatant till you complete your 3 stages, this can take upto 2/3 years of service.
Joining the fire service as retained takes up a big part of you life and isnt somethign you can do for a few months before joining uni.

Its good for you to ask but you should only ever join if you feel its for you and its your future.

Col_M · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:29

You probably won't be able to actually be a fireman but they may consider you as something like an unpaid volunteer to help out around the station, can't hurt to call and find out.

Citizen420 · 13 Jul 2010 at 14:47

I always, and still want to be a fireman. But I've learned its practically impossible now in Scotland unless your born into it... waiting lists longer than NHS dentistry.

Maximum Triceratops · 13 Jul 2010 at 15:27

Do they pay you for this?

HAz · 13 Jul 2010 at 23:05

Maximum Triceratops said:
Do they pay you for this?

They get an annual sallery in some stations, others get paid pay as you go style.
Please bear in mind being a retained firefighter isn't a part time job, most are on call for the whole week 24hrs a day!

This isnt the police specials,proper training is given which is no different from what a whole time (full time) firefigter will get, tho the wholetime training is a fair bit longer, but retained get the same probational folders which have to be assessed and signed off by area managers.