Fire And Rescue Looking For New Recruits

States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service wants to hire more full-time and on-call firefighters.

Currently, there are 34 on-call officers and 69 full-time firefighters.

The Fire and Rescue Service is looking to increase this by around seven to twelve each.

It follows an independent review which found Jersey's fire service is being hindered due to staff shortages and a lack of resources.

The recent review also found that more officers were needed because current whole-time staff are 'spreading themselves too thinly'.

No experience is needed to join the emergency service as the team will provide 14 to 18 weeks of training for full-time and 14 days for on-call.

Government ministers are proposing £500,000 will be given to the Fire & Rescue Service each year until 2025 and 2026, when they will also be granted £1.2 million to improve this.

However, the dedication, professionalism and commitment of the firefighters were highlighted in the peer review, as well as the standard of vehicles and equipment.

As a firefighter, islanders will deal with many situations, including fires and road traffic collisions, floods and sea rescues, and emergencies involving hazardous materials.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jane Philpott says it is a fantastic job if you want a different challenge every day.

"Whether it's the action-packed side of assisting people that we see on the TV, out at fire or car accidents, but it's bigger than that.

"It's understanding fire prevention and fire safety and helping the local community through home fire safety visits, so I think it's just that the role is so varied."

To apply to become a firefighter, candidates must have five years of continuous residency and be 18 or older.

They should also:

• Have GCSE level education or equivalent.
• Hold a full, clean driving licence.
• Be healthy, fit and able to swim 50 metres.
• Have good sight (including contact lenses or glasses wearers) and colour perception in both eyes.
• Be confident working at height and in enclosed spaces.
• Be happy to work a shift system and at weekends.
• Have the ability to deal with people in difficult and emotional situations.

The on-call team must have permission from their employer if responding from work and be able to get to the station within 10 to 15 minutes.

They must also be available to train on a Monday or Tuesday evening (for Town on-call) or Wednesday evening (for Western on-call).

The full-time crew are expected to work 42 hours weekly on a four-day on, four-day off shift pattern, which includes weekends.

The Deputy Officer says the crew become your second family.

"There are times when you're in tricky spots in challenging environments, as you would expect as a firefighter, and you rely on working with the people you eat dinner with, and you rest at night within the same area, so then you want them to be available to assist you in a fire, that creates that second family feel."

The expected starting pay is £37,784.92 for the foundation firefighters, which can rise to £73,352.80 annually as a station commander.

The brigade is looking for people who are confident enough to deal with emotional situations and can absorb a great deal of information at a rapid pace.

Islanders interested in the role should be able to function well under pressure, be quick learners and have brilliant team working skills.

Taster sessions will be held on Sunday, 23 July, from 11 am until 1 pm at the Fire Station on Rouge Boullion for everyone aged 18 and over.

A session tailored to women will be held the following day on Monday, 24 July, between 6:30 pm and 9 pm.