• You must live or work within four minutes of the stations listed below, with the exception of Billesdon and Market Bosworth Fire and Rescue Stations, which are six minutes.
• Be aged 18 years or older by the commencement of the On-Call firefighter training course.
• Be prepared to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Basic Check.
• Be eligible to work in the UK.

Frequently asked employer questions

Do I have to release staff to attend emergencies if it doesn’t suit the company on that day?

No. Employees are only available for duty when they book On-Call as available. They will be expected to respond to the call if they say they are available. Therefore, it is essential to agree when you have the capacity to release staff before they log in as available. Your needs as the primary employer will always be a priority.

What will it cost me?

There are no direct costs to supporting an employee to be an On-Call Firefighter. However, there may be some indirect costs to your business. It’s up to you how you deal with the On-Call Firefighter absence; some employers do not pay the employee when they are absent, and others expect them to make their hours up later. For example, if you have to fill in while your employee responds to an emergency call out or attends training, we hope the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience.

Will training take place during working hours?

Most training takes place on weekday evenings and at weekends. However, initial training may be a consolidated period encompassing weekday daytime. Any training that must be completed during business hours is planned well in advance to allow employees to make arrangements with employers.

What support is available should I have any questions?

Each On-Call station has a management team who will be your point of contact, help you through the early days of appointing your employee, and provide ongoing support and assistance as and when needed.

What happens if my employee has been at an incident all night? Will they still be in work the next day? If not, am I expected to give them paid leave?

We would not expect this to be a frequent issue, but you must clarify this with your employee before you agree to release them for On-Call duty. If you don’t want to pay them for any absence due to this, then that is your decision.

How long will my employee be away when called out on duty?

On-Call Firefighters are called out two to three hours per week, usually for about an hour. It’s a flexible arrangement, depending on the needs of your business. On-call Firefighters can work with us to agree on the cover they wish to provide. They could opt for evening, daytime, or weekend cover; your employee can provide you with their On-Call rota. Firefighters working the on-call system agree to be available for several hours. They carry a pager device and must be able to get to the fire station within a specific time following an emergency call-out during their available hours. Rest assured that your needs and requirements as the primary employer will always be prioritised.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to offering our On-Call Firefighters flexible contracts and working hours to ensure a healthy work/life balance.

What sort of training and development will my staff undergo as part of their role as a Firefighter?

All Firefighters undergo a rigorous training and development program, which Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides. They will develop skills in risk management, communication, teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, first aid, trauma care, health and safety, and much more, and they will bring this training and experience back to their workplace.

How long will my employee be required to take time away from work for training?

Firefighters must be well-trained if they are going to work safely and effectively in the wide range of operational incidents they have to tackle. We recognise that some On-Call Firefighters might need to take time off from their primary employment to undertake training. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service aims to keep the impact on the primary employer to a minimum by providing essential training at fire stations on drill nights and during weekends, reducing the time required for training during weekdays. However, during the first two years of employment, they must attend essential training, some of which will be on weekdays.

What if my employee gets injured while at an incident?

On-Call Firefighters are trained to a high standard before becoming fully operational, so this is rare. In the event this does happen, LFRS offer support services to help Firefighters get fit again if they do get injured—for example, local occupational health services and comprehensive physical and psychological rehabilitation arrangements with the Firefighters Charity. All Firefighters undergo regular fitness and medical assessments to ensure their continual health, safety, and well-being.

What benefits do I get as an employer for releasing a staff member to be an On-Call Firefighter?

The biggest reward is the knowledge that their company is undertaking a vital role in protecting the local community. By allowing one of your employees to become an On-Call Firefighter, you know you’ll have made a difference every time they respond to an emergency, help save lives, and protect people in your community. Whilst also obtaining a Large Goods Vehicle License, being trained in advanced first aid qualifications and learning essential life skills which they will be able to bring back into their place of work such as, leadership, teamwork, quick thinking, problem-solving, taking responsibility, communication skills, and keeping calm in difficult situations.