On-call firefighters are trained firefighters who, rather than being based at a fire station, provide on-call cover from home and/or their place of work. They respond to their fire station when their pager alerts them, so must work and/or live within approximately four minutes travel time from the fire station. They travel from their work/home to the fire station, where they then travel to the emergency in a fire engine.
On-call firefighters declare the periods in a week when they are available to respond to emergencies if called upon. During these times they must remain within approximately four minutes travel time of their fire station to provide a response. They also attend a training evening at their station one night a week.
You can watch videos from some on call firefighters on the national on-call firefighter website
Represent your community. Be the difference. Apply today on our recruitment portal
Stations with an On-call Crew
We have 25 On-call fire stations, six stations which have both a wholetime and on-call crew and two volunteer stations.
You can see where your closest fire station is on the map on our fire stations page under About Us.
Please be aware that not all stations have vacancies at all times, but you can apply for any station at any time and if there are no vacancies at that station we will keep your application within our talent pool for 12 months.
Physical Fitness Selection Tests
Find out more about the physical fitness selection tests on our website.
Are you ready to serve your community and take on an exciting, challenging role? Start your journey to becoming an On-Call Firefighter today by clicking here to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the role of On-Call Firefighter, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: You must be aged 18 or over at the commencement of training. Applications are welcomed from individuals aged 17 years and 6 months, provided you turn 18 before starting your training.
- Right to Work: You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
- Proximity to Fire Station:
- You must work and/or live within approximately four minutes’ travel time from an On-Call Fire Station or a station with an On-Call crew.
- For certain stations, flexibility may be possible. If you live within eight minutes’ travel time, we encourage you to submit an application or contact us for a discussion.
- Availability: We are especially keen to recruit individuals who can provide daytime and weekend cover between 6am and 6pm, or parts of this time.
- Physical Fitness: You must meet the physical fitness requirements of the role and pass a medical examination.
Joining our team as an On-Call Firefighter is a fulfilling and vital way to contribute to your community. If you meet these criteria and are ready to rise to the challenge, we look forward to receiving your application.
On-call firefighters declare the periods in a week when they are available to respond to emergencies if called upon. For example they might work near a fire station that has has an On-call crew and therefore, be available when they are at work between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Or they might respond from home after work so could be available 6pm-8am Monday to Friday and during the day on a weekend.
During the times where they have declared they are available to respond to emergencies On-call firefighters must remain within approximately four minutes travel time of their fire station to provide a response. If they are alerted to an incident, via their pager, they respond to the fire station and then attend the incident in a fire engine.
They also attend a training evening (drill night) at their station one night a week.
On-call firefighters have a contract which includes details of the agreed time periods they will be available to respond to incidents.
- 120 or more hours of cover per week
- 91 to 119 hours per week
- 61-90 hours per week
- 31-60 hours per week
- 0-30 hours per week
Applications are assessed not on the number of hours that can be provided, but whether the hours provided meet the needs of the fire station applied for.
The rate of pay for On-call firefighters is dependent on availability. On-call firefighters receive a retaining fee and also receive payment for various aspects of the work they carry out for example attending incidents and training sessions.
On average On-call firefighters can earn around £5,000 per year depending on the number of incidents and training sessions attended. They also receive paid leave entitlement of up to 28 days per calendar year, increasing to up to 35 days dependent on length of service.
The rate of pay for Retained / On Call firefighters is dependant on your availability and will be reviewed in July each year. The salaries listed below are implemented from 1 January 2025
Availability hours
RETAINING FEE
120+ hrs £5,651
91 – 119 hrs £4,709
61 – 90 hrs £3,768
31 – 60 hrs £2,826
0 – 30 hrs £1,884
You will also receive additional payments for:
Drill Night Fees
Turnout Fees
Training Course Fees
Trainee Firefighter Rate
This is paid when you start the four weeks pre-course learning modules on station. You will remain on this rate of pay until you have successfully completed the initial two weeks training course at Training Centre.
Development Firefighter Rate
Once you have successfully completed the initial training course, you will be placed on the development rate of pay. You will remain on this until you have completed the core development courses and have proved your competence.
Competent Development Rate
Once Development Staff have verified that you have attained the relevant standard of competency you will be placed on competent rate of pay.
Goathland and Lofthouse are volunteer fire stations and attract a different salary package. Please contact the recruitment team or attend the relevant training night if you would like to know more about these stations. Volunteer firefighters are still required to apply and undertake all the tests detailed in the information pack.
1) Complete an application online, you can access this here.
2) Complete your application, availability form and Pre-Physical test questionnaire. If your availability does not meet the requirements of the station or your home/work address, (dependent on the hours you are able to provide), is outside the approximate one mile / four minute response time then your application will not be progressed.
If you would like further information about becoming an On-call firefighter please email talent&development@northyorkshire.police.uk. We hold On-call firefighter recruitment events throughout the year which you can attend to find out more about what the role involves.
There is also a national on call firefighter recruitment website which you may find useful.
FAQs
No you do not have to have any formal qualifications to apply to be an On-call firefighter.
If you are able to provide evidence that you have obtained your Maths and English qualifications, and your initial application is deemed successful, you will be exempt from the written tests which form part of the recruitment and selection process.
Yes you will be required to undertake a full medical examination by the Service’s Occupational Health Team.
You will also need a completed Certificate of Visual Acuity Form. This form must be taken to an optician to complete, to check your eyesight.
If your eyesight or medical examinations do not meet the required standard your application will not proceed any further.
We do not reimburse any expenses incurred in connection with the completion of the Visual Acuity form.
Once you have submitted your application form, one of our Watch Managers will be in touch with you to discuss the role further and invite you to attend a number of selection tests at your local station, including the following:
- Chester Step test
- Written Tests – unless exempt
- Interview – You will be asked questions based upon the role of an On-Call Firefighter and allow you to gain a better understanding of the role.
You will be given information about the tests, the order and detail of each test before you are assessed
Downloaded Written Test Practice Booklet (PDF)
You’ll then be invited to attend a further assessment day at our Transport and Logistics Hub in Thirsk, where you will complete the following
- Maximal Breath by Breath Assessment
- Medical screening
- Uniform & PPE Fitting
You will then be invited to attend our Occupational Based Physical Selection Assessments at our Training Centre in Easingwold.
You may find the information available on our website helpful for when you are preparing for these physical selection assessments.
Once you have met these requirements, you will be expected to attend a minimum of four training nights (drill nights) at your station and one pre-course learning day, prior to attending a two week Safe to Ride course at the Training Centre in Easingwold.
We will also obtain employment references and require you to undergo a DBS check during the recruitment process.
During the course
Your progress during the training course will be continually monitored by written, oral and practical assessments. You must pass this course for your appointment as a on call firefighter to be confirmed but you will be given lots of encouragement and support by the training centre staff; their aim is to help you to pass.
There is no closing date for our On-call firefighter recruitment campaign. If you apply and there are no vacancies at that fire station (for which you have applied), we will keep your details on file for 12 months and contact you if any vacancies become available during that period.
Applicants who have been in the recruitment system longer may be successful in filling the vacancies before you. However, in this situation we will hold your details on file and re-activate your application as and when another vacancy arises.
Depending on the length of time that your details are held on file, there may be a need for you to re-take the selection tests or medical as they are only valid for a certain period of time.
All applications are processed as quickly as possible.
Whilst our preference is for On-Call firefighters to live or work within 4 minutes of the station they’re responding from, there are some stations across the county where we might be able to have some flexibility. If you live within 8 minutes of your local station then we would still encourage you to submit an application or have a discussion with us talent&development@northyorkshire.police.uk
Share: