Volunteer with Your Local Fire Service

What the Fire Service Does

Fire and rescue services across the United Kingdom respond to emergencies around the clock, every day of the year. Their work goes well beyond tackling fires. Crews attend road traffic collisions, flooding incidents, industrial accidents, and situations where people are trapped or at risk. A significant part of their role involves fire prevention and safety education, working with communities to reduce risk before incidents occur.

Each fire and rescue service is governed by its relevant local authority, with arrangements varying across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Services follow national guidance while adapting to local needs. The demands can fluctuate, with quiet periods followed by sudden spikes in call volume during severe weather, dry spells, or major incidents.

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On Call Firefighters

Many fire stations, particularly in smaller towns, villages, and rural areas, rely on on call firefighters rather than full time crews. These are people who live or work near their local station and respond when their pager or alerter sounds. They carry on with their normal lives and jobs but remain available to attend emergencies within their area.

On call firefighters receive the same core training as their full time colleagues, covering breathing apparatus, pumps and hoses, casualty rescue, working at height, and confined space operations. Beyond initial training, on call firefighters attend regular sessions to maintain their skills and stay current with operational procedures. The role requires genuine commitment, as calls can come at any hour.

This model allows fire services to maintain coverage in places where a permanently staffed station would not be practical or affordable. Without on call crews, response times in rural and remote communities would be significantly longer.

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How to Get Involved

If you want to become an on call firefighter, the first step is to check whether your local fire and rescue service is recruiting. Service vacancies are frequently updated online via respective service websites, GOV.UK, or local council platforms. You can also contact your local fire service directly, as recruitment is handled through local authority structures.

Requirements vary between services, but you will usually need to:

• Live or work within a set distance of the fire station, often around five minutes
• Be available for a minimum number of hours each week
• Pass fitness tests and medical assessments
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Hold at least a Category B driving licence, with some services requiring willingness to train for larger vehicles

Currently, there is no upper age limit set nationally, though individual services may have their own policies. Previous experience is not required. Training is provided, and you will be paid a retaining fee plus additional payments for attending incidents and drills, with rates standardised to some extent by the National Joint Council terms and conditions.

Many employers recognise the additional skills gained through firefighting roles. Self employed people and those who work from home often find the flexibility suits their circumstances. Fire services across the UK are also actively working to recruit from under-represented groups to build a more diverse workforce.

Other Ways to Support Your Local Fire Service

Not everyone can commit to being on call, but there may be other volunteer roles available. Some fire services run community volunteer schemes where people help with fire safety visits, fitting smoke alarms in vulnerable households, or supporting local prevention campaigns.

These roles do not involve responding to emergencies. They focus on helping reduce risk and keeping people safe before incidents happen. Training and support are provided.

To find volunteer opportunities with fire and rescue services or other emergency organisations in your area, you can use our free Volunteer Role Finder. To explore official information and updates on fire service careers and on call roles, see the National Fire Chiefs Council and your regional fire and rescue service websites.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Volunteer Role Finder lets you answer a few questions about your interests, skills, and availability and get matched with the types of volunteering that suit you best. Whether you want to work with people, animals, or the environment, we will find your ideal role. Try it now →