Being an On-Call Firefighter
Our On-Call Firefighters are a vital part of our service. They provide an efficient, effective and reliable service to their local communities.
As an On-Call Firefighter, you will work part-time going about your daily business until you receive an emergency call. If you’re on duty we will notify you by pager and you have 5 minutes to respond to your local Fire Station. It is an exciting and rewarding career, but it is very challenging.
You will deal with a full range of incidents including fires, floods, road traffic collisions, chemical spills and specialist rescues. You will also be involved in community education and fire prevention activities.
Training
Trainee Firefighter
As a Trainee On-Call Firefighter, you will be required to complete a structured training programme which should be completed within a specified time period after commencement. This will involve a regular weekly training commitment at your local Fire Station (or District) and attendance at courses held at NIFRS Learning and Development Centre or other designated locations which will involve weekend training.
Firefighter
You will continue to develop and maintain the skills required by attending drill nights and training sessions.
Career Opportunities
You will have excellent promotion and development opportunities throughout your career and could progress to being an On-Call Crew Commander and then an On-Call Watch Commander.
Pay & Pension
As an On-Call Firefighter you will be paid an annual retainer each month along with payment for attending drill nights, emergency calls and training.
Shift Patterns
Firefighters have to work shifts, public holidays and could be stationed anywhere in Northern Ireland. You will work 1 of 3 contracts with different levels of commitment based on the hours of cover you can offer.
| Contract | Shift |
|---|---|
| A | Core Availability Requirements Monday to Sunday for 100 – 120 hours each week |
| B | Core Availability Requirements Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm for 40 – 50 hours each week |
| C | Core Availability Requirements Monday to Sunday for a minimum of 90 hours each week to include a minimum of 40 hours from Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm |
Here’s what our people have to say
I have been an On-Call Firefighter in Omagh for 10 years.
I have a keen interest in strength and fitness which really helps me stay strong as a Firefighter. The calls we attend are so varied, from a road traffic collision, to an animal rescue, to a flood incident.
I would recommend this career to anyone who has an interest in helping their community stay safe.
Joanne McCain
On-Call Firefighter
I have worked as an On-Call Firefighter in Newtownstewart for 4 years.
I’m a full time butcher in the area. I am lucky that my employer allows me to be released to go to calls during my working hours.
I really enjoy serving my community and helping people when they need it most.
Noel Gallagher
On-Call Firefighter
Being an On-Call Firefighter is an exciting and rewarding career. Our On-Call Firefighters demonstrate a high level of commitment and they are the beating heart of their community.
NIFRS relies heavily on our On-Call Firefighters to deliver a fire and rescue service to our most rural communities.
David Doherty
Group Commander
