Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking for more on-call firefighters.
On-call firefighters play an essential role as people who are ready to respond to a call out at a moment’s notice. The role tends not to be their primary employment, but they are fully trained professionals who want to save lives, make a difference and give back to the community. It is a paid position and average earnings are roughly £6,000 a year (£500 a month).
An on-call firefighter is required to live or work within six to eight minutes of their local station. For exact times for each station please click here.
There is a shortage of on-call firefighters, especially in rural areas, including at Hungerford Fire Station, where the fire engine is currently crewed about 50% of the time, and at Lambourn where availability is lower. You might be just the person to fill the gap and make a crucial difference.
Firefighters come from all walks of life. It can be a tough job, but if you’re motivated, fit, and healthy you could be just who we are looking for. RBFRS values your individuality, your diversity, and your dignity. All are welcome here and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.
It is a paid position on an hourly rate with paid holiday. Once you are qualified you are expected to provide operational cover anywhere between 30 to 120 hours per week (this is negotiable depending on the station’s needs) and can be at hours to suit your schedule. If you live locally these could be night-time hours. If you work locally, and are self-employed or your employer is flexible, you can be on call while you are at work.
Have a Go
For more information, visit www.rbfrs.co.uk/discovery to find out when the next Have a Go Day is, or drop into your local On-call fire station on a Monday night when the crew is training. Have a Go Days provides the opportunity to meet firefighters, ask questions and try the physical tests that potential firefighters need to undergo to gauge fitness levels.
Here is Scott Farrell talking about how he got on at a recent Hungerford Have a Go Day:
Watch this series of short videos on YouTube for potential retained fire fighters and their families and employers:
Pay Scales (effective from 1 January 2025)
- Trainee: £1,413.25 to £4,239.75 retainer per year (based on the cover provided); then a further £12.91 pay per hour and a £4.96 disturbance allowance per occasion.
- Development: £1,472.10 to £4,416.30 retainer per year (based on the cover provided); then a further £13.44; pay per hour and a £4.96 disturbance allowance per occasion.
- Competent: £1,883.75 to £5,651.25 retainer per year (based on the cover provided); then a further £17.20 pay per hour and a £4.96 disturbance allowance per occasion
For more information please click here.
• Hungerford Fire Station
Hungerford Fire Station is looking for more retained firefighters who live or work within a six-minute drive of the fire station. You will be expected to attend training every Monday evening from 7 to 10 pm.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter at Hungerford please contact Matt Riley on 07899 063 951 or rileym@rbfrs.co.uk.
- Crews: On-call.
- Opened: 1968.
- Appliances: 1x fire engine, 1x 4×4 Ranger.
- Address: Church Street, Hungerford, West Berkshire, RG17 0JG.
- Accessibility: Hungerford Community Fire Station has step-free access to the station. There is a fully accessible toilet on site.
• Lambourn Fire Station
Lambourn, an on-call station, is looking for more On-Call firefighters who live or work within an eight-minute drive of the fire station. You will be expected to attend training every Monday evening from 6.30 to 9.30 pm.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter at Lambourn please contact Matt Riley on 07899 063 951 or rileym@rbfrs.co.uk.
- Crew Type: On-call
- Opened: 1974
- Appliances: 1x fire engine, 1x 4×4 Ranger
- Address: Newbury Street, Lambourn, West Berkshire, RG17 8YR.
• Mortimer Fire Station
Mortimer is an on-call station, is looking for more on-call firefighters who live or work within a seven-minute drive of the fire station. You will be expected to attend training every Monday evening from 6.30 to 9.30 pm.
If you would like to find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter at Mortimer please contact Matt Riley on 07899 063 951 or rileym@rbfrs.co.uk.
- Crews: Retained.
- Opened: 1975.
- Appliances: 1x Fire engine, 1x 4×4 Ranger.
- Address: West End Road, Mortimer, West Berkshire, RG7 3TE.
