Being a Wholetime Firefighter
As a Wholetime Firefighter, you will work full-time at one of our Fire Stations throughout Northern Ireland. It is a challenging, varied and highly rewarding career.
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.
What training is provided?
As a Firefighter you are required to attend training sessions to develop and maintain the skills required for the job. You will also be required to undertake a development programme to demonstrate your competence in the role.
On entry into NIFRS as a Trainee Firefighter, you will undertake an initial training programme which currently lasts up to 18 weeks (subject to ongoing review), after which you will be posted to a Station for operational duty.
Whilst attending NIFRS Initial Firefighter training course you will learn how to safely handle and use items of fire service equipment including hose, ladders and various pumping appliances. You will be trained in the use of Breathing Apparatus and how to deal with Road Traffic Collisions and support this with Emergency Critical Care training.
Continuation training is carried out on all Fire Stations, with specialist courses held at the Learning & Development Centre. You may also be required to attend residential courses locally and at various fire training establishments in the United Kingdom.
Please note Firefighter training is only provided upon commencement of employment. Firefighter training courses are not provided prior to application.
Career Opportunities
While you’ll begin as a Firefighter, there are plenty of opportunities for career development including promotion. You’ll also have the opportunity to diversify your role, in areas such as Specialist Rescue, Fire Safety and instructional training delivery. Could you be our future Chief?
Pay & Pension
Here’s what you could be earning while we continually contribute to your pension throughout your career.
| Role | Salary per annum* |
|---|---|
| Trainee Firefighter | £27,178 |
| Development Firefighter | £28,310 |
| Competent Firefighter | £36,226 |
* All salaries provided are an approximation, pay and progression is in line with national pay awards.
Shift Patterns
Firefighters have to work shifts, public holidays and could be stationed anywhere in Northern Ireland. You will work on 1 of our 3 Duty Systems in operation at present. Please note these are subject to change.
| Day Crewing | Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm, with days off in lieu. |
| Variable Crewing | Consists of 7 shifts in a 2 week cycle form 7.30am to 7.30pm. |
| 2-2-4 Crewing | Consists of 2 day shifts from 8.00am to 6.00pm, 2 night shifts from 6.00pm to 8.00am, followed by 4 days off. |
Here’s what our people have to say
“I am currently on a Temporary Promotion as Flexi Station Commander in Cookstown District.
I feel so privileged to have a job that I love doing. I have the opportunity to be in contact and work with such a variety of people. From the Wholetime and On-Call crews who roll out the doors on the Fire Appliances to the fantastic people who make up the support structure that keeps our service moving forward. I admire the enthusiasm that everyone puts into ensuring challenges have a minimum impact to our front line emergency service. We really are one big team.
The most rewarding thing about working in NIFRS is opportunity to learn and develop in both my working life and also my personal life. I was a Firefighter in Central, part of the Specialist Rescue Team, General Instructor in Learning & Development Centre and Temporary spell in the Research and Development. I have loved every role and I use each as a learning and development opportunity. I ‘buzz of’ the opportunity that I get to test and challenge myself every day. We are part of a great big Fire Service and I would recommend everyone join, try different roles and meet as many of the fantastic people who keep our service running 24/7 365 days per year.”
John O’Prey
Station Commander
Cookstown District
“Coming from a mountain biking and hill running background, I have always maintained a high standard of cardio fitness. So my focus prior to starting the trainee course was to build strength and muscular endurance.
The role of a Firefighter is physically demanding, so having a level of physical fitness and commitment to training is vital. By keeping a positive mind set and working towards my fitness goal, I was able to make the most out of my experience in the Learning & Development Centre and I enjoyed every aspect of the course.”
Nicole Mallen
Firefighter
Lisburn Fire Station
“I was previously a Firefighter in Antrim and Lurgan, now I am an Instructor in the Learning & Development Centre.
I chose this role because I have a genuine passion for motivating others to learn and develop. I have a background in coaching both soccer and Gaelic football and feel a lot of these skills have been easily transferable. I firmly believe we can get the best from our people if we support and encourage them in their journey, as well as pushing them to succeed when required.
There is no better feeling than a student, a trainee or experienced firefighter, expressing their gratitude for a particular approach I took to teaching. The Learning & Development Centre team has some incredibly passionate and supportive mentors at the minute. I would encourage others with a similar passion to consider becoming an instructor.”
Barrie Kelly
Crew Commander
Instructor, Learning & Development Centre
