Volunteer with Your Local Fire Service

Originally written by Jack Claridge, updated by the editorial team on 24th May 2026

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.

Volunteer Role Finder

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 our Volunteer Role Finder free, here on this site →

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.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

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 →

58 questions

Ask Voluntary Worker a Question

VoluntaryWorker Editor 22/07/2026 at 3:00 pm

@Connor Yes, having ADHD, depression or anxiety doesn't automatically rule you out. Fire services assess each applicant individually, and you'll need to pass a medical which looks at whether your conditions are well managed and won't affect your safety on the job. Be upfront on the health questionnaire, as hiding things tends to cause bigger problems later. Worth ringing your local service's recruitment team for a proper chat before you apply.

Connor 22/07/2026 at 2:04 pm

If you have adhd, depression and anxiety can ypu still be a firefighter?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 13/07/2026 at 10:00 am

@Tom That sounds awful Tom, and honestly it's a police matter first before anything else. Report every incident so there's a paper trail, and speak to your local council about safeguarding or emergency housing options. As for volunteering with the fire service, most stations have secure lockers you can use during shifts, so your belongings wouldn't need to be on you the whole time. Worth ringing your local station and asking directly.

Tom 13/07/2026 at 9:32 am

what if your targeted and have to carry all your stuff round with you because your home is burgled daily?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:33 pm

@Fire Ghana Our page covers volunteering opportunities within the UK fire service, so I'm afraid we can't help directly with positions at Kotoka or with Aero Fire in Ghana. Your best bet is to contact the Ghana National Fire Service or the airport's fire department directly to ask about volunteer or auxiliary roles. They should be able to point you towards any training schemes or community programmes they run. Good luck with it.

Fire Ghana 19/03/2025 at 7:13 pm

Please am with the aero fire at the airport.Kotoka and would like to serve

Kenny 03/07/2024 at 4:33 am

Am deeply interested in this, this is part of my dream to, I will be very happy if my request will be granted as volunteer saver to save people lifes both old and young one

Arrny 10/02/2024 at 9:04 pm

I'm very interested in joining up an helping my community.

Kastro 21/12/2023 at 8:58 pm

Hello, I would like to apply as a volunteer firefighter. I am 18 years old and currently going to college as a full time student. My course is level 2 sports. I have been thinking about applying for a few months now but never got around to it. Thank you.

Solution 16/10/2023 at 5:36 pm

Am interested to serve to serve my local fire service

Cenzo 15/09/2023 at 8:25 pm

FAo

Good evening I was considering working as a volunteer fire fighter but am I too old at 48??

danglerwrangler 11/08/2023 at 2:59 am

Hi Ever sinse I burnt my toster strudel, I new fire was for me! Slidin down polls? Cool. Big red truck? Vroom vroom baby! And those water hoose things? I got a gardin hose, so I'm praticly trained! My cat's stuck in a tree, too. Like, for weeks. Maybe if I'm a fire dude, he'll come down? Dunno. Also, they got chily at the fire plase. YUM! I like chily. I think I got what it taks. As long as there's no fire or nuthin cuz that's hot. I mean, not TOO hot, rite? Hehe #FireStuff4Life

N/A 28/07/2023 at 10:31 am

Hello there I am interested in joining the fire service. I am more than willing to do volunteer work to help the Fire service.
Thank you

Mo mojo mojothepyrut 13/06/2023 at 1:46 pm

Hello I've been to wotton fire station and am keen to get training I've started myself jogging etc so what is the next thing I can do who do I take too thank you

Shan 23/01/2023 at 3:14 pm

Shannon Davenport would like to give something back to the community and I have always been fond of the fire services.

Frenchy 20/09/2022 at 4:21 pm

Hi
I’m writing this txt to apply to be come fireman volunteer to help people and learn how to help them out when they need so

Razzle Dazzle 31/07/2022 at 2:53 pm

I want to volunteer and give back to the city that has raised me. Even if I can't stop a fire I know with my calming presence I'll be able to get people to safety and help contain big situations. I hope to join soon and make a difference.

AHK1984 07/12/2021 at 11:37 am

I would love to be a firefighter, rescue and disaster first respond volunteer in Scotland. I’ve been volunteering as a first responder volunteer in UAE for 3 continues years and I received an advance training on emergency response for medical involvement and fire fighting and community police. I do have my volunteering training certificates. Can I still join the fire department and work on fire engines or in stations since I use heating air devices and you mentioned I should have good hearing here in UK to be a volunteer (which was okay to be full volunteer in UAE with hearing devices)

Atlantis 04/11/2019 at 7:49 am

Is they any cadets to do with firefighting for 27 year olds or volunteering on hull

Rue 22/07/2019 at 8:08 pm

I wanted to be a fire person when I was a teenager but as I’m female and weighted about 8 stone I’d mention this to people and they’d just lol.
Nobody said to me why don’t you bulk up and you could be! I just accepted my body type could never be a fire person.
When I’m bigger I’m definitely going to look into it more! Believe in your dreams :)

Wolf 24/05/2019 at 9:15 am

I would like to have a good try at some volunteer firefighting experience to see what it would feel like to act like a true and realistic firefighter as long as i have some good experience at firefighting skills i would also show some interest of becoming a firefighter myself one day in the future because that is my only dream job. I really want and I would like to be a volunteer firefighter at my local fire station in northfield my name is joseph jevons and i live in grovely lane longbridge. Im 24 years old.

Mo , moesha, Romeo , 14/04/2019 at 6:55 pm

Hi how long is a residential course , I’m in Mangotsfield 5 min away from a fire station. Are we on call all the time or certain times ,? Many thanks

WEBBA 11/12/2018 at 1:04 pm

Hello there I am interested in joining the fire service. At this moment I am unemployed so have a lot of time on my hands I am willing to do volunteer work to help the service but would also be interested if this could lead to a paid job with the service thank you.

Taz 29/10/2018 at 2:06 pm

ever since i did a course of knowing what it is like to be a firefighter i have wanted to be a firefighter so i want to volunteer it is my dream to be a firefighter i live near a fire station in Newport.

Megan 08/07/2018 at 3:37 pm

I would love to become a volunteer with the fire service,not to become a firefighter but to fund raise at events.

Mike 29/08/2017 at 7:10 pm

I worked in Civil Aviation Authority as rescuer and aerodrome firefighter for 12 years. How can I now be a volunteer with this service.

VoluntaryWorker Editor 19/06/2017 at 2:40 pm

That's a lovely thought. It's probably easier to contact the fire service directly on tel: 020 8555 1200 or email: info@london-fire.gov.uk

Serena 16/06/2017 at 9:06 am

I have been working over twenty five years as a counsellor/therapist .I am higly qualified and experienced humanistic and psychodynamic therapist and BACP register.
I have worked in variety od settings and roles and I have the ability to rapidly implement policies and procedures of any given organisation.
I would like to offer free counselling sessions for all the man and women
fire fighters who have involved with
at the Grenfell Tower .

Shorty 14/06/2017 at 8:49 pm

Hi, my name is kane and some people call me "shorty" ever since I was 3 years old I have always wanted to become a fire fighter , I always wanted to help people in need, I currently have a job as a bin man at AVDC council but the one job that I would love to do is be a fire fighter, and I hope that in the near future my hopes and dreams will come true , I'm 23 years old and I want to make something out of my life , thanks for everything kane aka "shorty" .

Rizzo 26/04/2017 at 9:08 pm

Hi I would love to volunteer at my local fire station I live in hull and just wounder if they was anything I could do to volunteer

James 30/01/2017 at 12:28 pm

I own a landscaping and lawn care business in Glasgow , and would love to become a volunteer fireman in my local area.

Male.
33.
6ft 2in.

Vici 24/01/2017 at 4:31 pm

Hi, I have experience about 10 years in Iranian Gas Company (Hashemi nezhad Gas Refinery) as a fire fighter and fire officer.I'd like to be a valunteer fire fighter in London.Please let me know, How can I do it?!!

Thank you for your time.
Best regards,

Anna 29/11/2016 at 12:19 pm

I am 14 and have wanted to work at the fire service what grades would I need

Claire 31/08/2016 at 2:47 pm

I think there may be some confusion here. The article is referring to on-call firefighters (often called retained firefighters). They are not strictly volunteers - they get paid for their time and have to undergo rigorous training. They often tend to have other jobs and are 'on-call' in case they are needed. On the other hand, volunteers with the fire service tend to undertake preventative activities, talking to the public about fire and road safety. Hope this helps!

Jambo 20/08/2015 at 9:25 pm

Mmy narest station is on the Fitzwilliam road in Rotherham, as I don't drive I was wondering what voluntary jobs can I do within the station?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 30/06/2015 at 11:12 am

@Juy. Ask at your local fire service (the non-emergency number will be found if you search for fire service and then your location).

Juy 26/06/2015 at 4:39 pm

Hi,

I am a qualified operational firefighter who worked for 22 months in Singapore as a 1LT. I'm currently a student in the UK, and I wish to give back to the community by volunteering with the fire brigade. I am unfortunately only free on the weekends since I have lectures and supervisions on the weekdays. What should I do?

Regards,
Chia

VoluntaryWorker Editor 29/06/2015 at 2:18 pm

@RFSProby. This should help in your application to become a firefighter volunteer here the UK.

RFSProby 23/06/2015 at 10:42 am

With me soon immigrating to Manchester from Australia, I'm wondering if if it's enough me having been a probationary trainee in the Rural Fire Service of Australia (volunteer).

VoluntaryWorker Editor 05/06/2015 at 11:11 am

@yoonus. Hope the information in the article helped. Good luck!

Yoonus 02/06/2015 at 7:21 pm

How hard is it to try and even apply for the fireservice????

Id love to volunteer

VoluntaryWorker Editor 19/12/2014 at 10:34 am

@Nicole Russell. Sounds like you are well suited to a role within the fire service, good luck!

Nicole Russell 18/12/2014 at 2:05 pm

I am strong, reliable and hard working as a person and I am always generally concerned for the well being and safety of others. I am quick and efficient. I look after myself well and like to keep fit and healthy.
The chance to progress in a career with the fire department would mean a lot to myself and to help in the community is my goal, especially with the mentoring skills and interest i have. A role to work alongside and assist the fire fighters in the best way i can is the kind of hands on work I work well at.
I am gaining qualifications to match my life experience and reach my full potential to help make a difference under high pressure situations.
I enjoy helping people and learning new things.

Johnny 05/06/2014 at 9:46 am

The information above is incorrect, mostly the statement that volunteer firefighters don't fight fires inside buildings. That is untrue.

LAJ 15/04/2014 at 2:38 pm

Could you please advise which fire services are offering volunteer firefighter positions?

wriggles 11/09/2013 at 6:05 am

With the hot weather approaching and the dangers of fires I would like to offer my services as a volunteer and have always adhered to all Workplace Health & Safety protocols and proceedurers. I have a HR licence and have driven and operated various machinery keeping close vigilence at all times. Glenn.

jcb 31/08/2013 at 7:49 pm

Many moons past I as a once member of the Auxiliary Fire Service which was the National Fire service during the war, so I do have some knowledge of the Job.

Don’t be mistaken that it’s an easy form of work because they have to lay in wait for an incident to happen.

When it does all hell brakes out then it can be like attending a war zone you just don’t know what to expect when you arrive on site there are many hazards in the smallest of fires.

Apart from that the hose pipe is quit a difficult piece of equipment to handle and very ruff on soft hands there are times when a fire is not under control and theirs a shortage of water then its different ball game, then it becomes a relay race getting water to the fire. Sometimes water is taken from lakes or rivers that just a small bit if it. Sounds fun after three to four hours and you will be done in.

Koskid 02/08/2013 at 10:59 pm

It absolutely beggars belief that the Fire Service is asking for volunteers.The job of a fireman/woman is a job that needs extensive training and commitment,andnot a job to play at.
There isnt by chance a legal ballot taking place among existing real firemen/women is there?and you have plans to try and break a potential legal strike?Surely not.

kathy 26/06/2013 at 7:10 am

hi i am 48 single i would like to volunteering with you as soon as possible

wriggles 25/06/2013 at 11:50 pm

Hi Guys, I am interested in doing volunteer work for the fire services on Bribie Island and welcome you information, kind regards Glenn.

skinny 21/06/2013 at 8:41 pm

Hi im 16yrs and have always wanted to be a fire fighter
i have just done a weeks training with diversifire and am even
more determined to become part of the fire brigade and am
hoping to start a college course to help me get there from august
i was wondering if there's any way i could help out at my local fire
station to gain knowledge and experience.?

kole 14/06/2013 at 12:54 pm

I love to keep busy also and to gain a chance to work with experiencing team working together for a safer London,I believe that this role is Relevant to all and is rewarding.

crazy ivan 21/09/2012 at 10:42 pm

despite budget cuts the public needs protection from fire

hichamo 11/07/2012 at 7:14 pm

i always wanted to join the fire service am 25 years old do they have an application form online.how to join ?

shabba 09/01/2012 at 1:03 pm

i always wanted to join the fire service am 20 years old do they have an application form online

Brooke 27/12/2011 at 3:33 am

Hey, I joined the fire cadets when I was 14 meant i got to see all the ins and outs of the fire department. Ladder drills, breathing aparaters, putting out of controlled fires, searching smoked buildings as well as searching for missing people etc pretty much everything except real uncontrolled fires
unfortunately this was only available for 14-16 year olds in my area however it may be an idea to look into your local station and see if they have anything similar to offer

Wardy 09/12/2011 at 11:54 am

I want to join the fire services as soon as possible because I enjoy the hands on approach and having physical as well as mental challenges. I want to know the best way to be prepared for training for this specific job as well as how to get involved with becoming a volunteer fireman. I am only 16 turning 17 in January, but I also want to know if it’s possible if I can enrol in the training sessions because then I know what to be prepared for?

aidanl93 07/07/2011 at 2:31 pm

I am currently 17, however I've got a keen interest in volunteering within the fire services. I would much prefer a hands on job opposed to a desk job. However, to my understanding, you have to be 18 to enrol in the fire services altogether. Is it possible to apply early with a minimum starting date and, if possible, to undergo some previous training in preparation to the physical tests so that i would be able to hit the ground running?

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