Becoming a Fireman?

[JAMSXR]

For the past 6 months I have been doing telemarketing/inside sales for a well known software company. My day basically consists of working off the back of campaigns, events, and cold calling, essentially I make around 100 calls a day trying to find opportunities where companies would be interested in using our tools. Now the good bit is that the pay is really good, including commission I take home between 3 & 4k every month before tax which is great, the bad bit is that the work is quite boring and I am just a tiny cog in a big engine helping to make as much cash as possible for the fat cats! Although the money is good the job is not rewarding enough.

Now I am grateful that I even have a job in today’s financial climate but I am just not happy, and don’t’ fancy progressing in this line of work. So that left me thinking, what is out there for me? If I could turn back the clocks I would have done the same as my younger brother who is a carpenter and at 19 is on 28K plus weekends!!! And he enjoys the work he does!

After speaking with two guys who left well paid jobs to become fireman, I have decided to give it my all and apply to become a fireman, it is the type of physical job that I am far more suited to then your average 9 till 5 office job. Now I realise it is not just a case of having a fitness test, interview, and then getting the job. It is a long process which can take years and that is even if you get selected!

Do we have any fireman on BCF, or anyone who could give me some decent advice?
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[Catalyst]

I'm doing a course on the public services at college but it's mainly focused on the police & fire. One thing i would say is the pay cut will seem quite huge, you start on around £18-19k IIRC. You can't actually apply whenever you want anymore either, it's a case of waiting till the application window opens and trying to get yours in ASAP.

Theres also a massive drive on diversity at the moment so it's mainly women, gays and ethnic minoritys they're looking for but you may be lucky and get yourself a place. They rarely put out fires from day to day, you'll mainly be going to car incidents cutting people out of cars and the like. Quite a horrific job and you will see things that you'd never thought were possible.

The friends you socialise with now may start to become distant, when they ask you out for a drink you'll have to say no because your on night shift...after a while they just won't bother calling anymore. That and the fact that they will be talking about their work and once you start talking about yours they won't want to hear it.

If you're married it can put stress on relationships as well, if you have seen someone in bits at an incident and then go home to a family that's happy your emotions will be a bit mixed up. They have councillors and people to talk to in the services now and if you ever did see something that shocked you severely then they're the people to go to, we've been told about grown men that are hard as nails sitting in the locker rooms just crying their eyes out because of what they have seen.

I don't mean to sound like i'm putting you off, i know it does sound like that though. It's just good to know that you're not going into a normal job again, every time you go out you're going to places where people are at their lowest point in their life. Not an easy job and they don't get paid anywhere near the amount they should for what they do, having said that it's a job you could go to everyday knowing that you will enjoy it.
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[Louise]

I tried for 3 years to become a Firefighter - i applied where ever possible, Birmingham was the furthest Ive traveled.
London, Surrey and Kent and of course Hampshire.
Its fierce competition for this job. AFAIK end of last year it was something around 100 people for 1 job which is pretty hard going.
The tests have all changed, when I first applied it was more physical.
Now its smaller tests that are rather easy.
I stoped due to falling pregnant but I will try and get back on the ball again.
All I did was just research anything I could to do with the fireservice.
Write a letter to your local asking to be shown around the pumps - and get some questions in.
I spent at least twice a month down mine in the past - We got on really well.

[EDBANGER]

I'm a fireman and I must disagree with the majority of the above post. I am not isolated or distant from my friends or my GF. I much prefer working 4 on 4 off as it feels like I'm hardly ever at work. When I am there I actually love being there and quite often when I've got a prolonged period of time off I'll find myself looking forward to going back.

Yes it's true that you're not busy saving the world every day but there's still enough to keep you occupied. Again you may see some gory stuff at incidents but then you should really be prepared for that before hand if you decide to do the job.

Pay starts at 19k for the first 13 weeks training (during which you are not on a station or attending incidents). After that you're on 22kish until you finish your NVQ, then your on 28kish. I don't know many jobs you can do realatively unqualified and pick up that much.

I'm not sure how much of an advantage doing that college course is but I never did it. I just applied and got in. I think if you're the right type of person then you shouldn't have a problem getting in.
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[JAMSXR]

Thanks for the advice

Don't understand why they would have 'a massive drive on diversity at the moment so it's mainly women, gays and ethnic minoritys they're looking for' Surely it should be the best man/woman for the job? But I guess that’s how things work now.....
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[EDBANGER]

It's true that they are advertising and trying to entice more ethnic minorities to apply but I would doubt you have any less of a chance of getting in. I came from an office into this job, best thing I ever did.
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If you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, you are the sucker.

[JAMSXR]

[EDBANGER]

Just over three years I've been doing it. I had the same kind of forms and questions to do when I went through it. The application process took a year from start to finish so be patient. I'd say filling out the forms was the hardest bit, the pyhsical test is easy if you're at least averagely fit and listen and follow the instructions to the letter. They fail you for something as simple as holding the ladder incorrectly after they've just told you EXACTLY how they want you to hold it. Interviews I personally never have a problem with, just make sure you know the contents of your original apllication form as they will refer to that a lot and if you've told a few lies you need to be able to remember them. Its worth knowing the interview is T-scored so you get points for using certain words and phrases.
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If you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, you are the sucker.

[JAMSXR]

[Dischord]

At 3-4k a month I would stay exactly where I was, at that kind of wage you can have some real fun and just get all your satisfaction at weekends/in the evening. Build yourself a huge garage and buy some old cars and bikes and restore them, build your skills in other areas and just go to work for the cash. 3-4k a month...lucky cunt
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[JAMSXR]

[WildGoose]

I was knocked back from Berkshire Brigade when I applied last year. To be honest, it's knocked the wind out of my sails a bit, I may apply again I may not, but i'm not a fan of the current recruitment process, and I don't particularly dislike my current wage or job tbh so not as driven as others I reckon, which could be a stumbling point.

I've read about people being at it for years, as Louise demonstrates above, and I'm just not prepared to do that.

The application form is a nightmare, a load of politically correct nonsense that will never lead them to what I consider to be "the right man for the job" only the people that know what to put in the forms. Buy the book, visit the forums, and get the forms filled in right https://www.fireservice.co.uk/forum/index.php preferably get a current firefighter's advice and get them to look over the forms for you.

Say precisely the right thing, the right way and you get a tick in the box, its a strange old system. It works for them because every man and their dog in the UK is applying, so they can afford to be very particular.

London brigade i'm told is your best bet in, and the recruitment is on a massive scale compared to county brigades.

On your wage, unless your job makes you suicidal, i'd stay firmly where you are, but thats just my opinion.

Good luck.
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[Louise]

I had a lot of trouble with forms - There is tons of information to fill in.
I got help from the OH most of the time.
Worse form I came across was West Midlands - that took almost a week or so doing it by draft ect.
I was accepted But got lost at the last moment - they were nice enough to allow me back in the afternoon - As I explained I had traveled from Portsmouth.

London was ok - in fact, sorry it was a recruitment drive that I attended. Women/ethnics day only.
Had fun and really gave an insight - I got given lots of good comments on how I performed and gave me the edge to carry on.
Hampshire would be the best place for me and I have tried a few times.
If you fail its 12 months before you can re-apply and I hear stories that if you apply for another area within 12 months 'catchment area i think they call it' then the application will be withdrawn.
Strange how they have done this but its been in play for a few years now - Not sure if its still going.
So make sure your ready to apply and grab all the information you need before making a start.
Not being able to apply for 12 months took it out of me.
I revised for many months, visited many stations, done tons of drills, got fire kit, attended many open days as I was that determined to get in, I even got invited by a SO to be on station for the day and go to shouts as sn observer in London but that very day I found out I was pregnant and I wasnt well which was a bummer- And everything I did/learnt - it didnt go to plan.
Feels like your being kicked in the teeth for all the hard work you put in - But thats life - I will try again in the future but not for a while as there is so many people going for such little job spaces.
I wish you luck

[Harold_Shand]

I'm being led to believe it's a long, drawn out process with lots bodies, blood and people in trauma at the end of it.

Have you given a thought to tree surgery? Physical job, good money, plenty of work, climbing, dangerous machinery AND you still get to wear Hi-Viz. Good job
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Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Ariel Badger]

A lot of fire fighters have another job as well. Supply teaching is popular.
The 24 hour shift system leaves most of the week free for other work and supply fits that. Of course you need a teaching qualification for that route.
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[JAMSXR]

Louise I’m sorry to hear that your efforts went to waist like that, that must have hit you like a brick wall!

Harold that’s not a bad shout, have never looked into it, although my old neighbour was a tree surgeon.

One of the things I like about the fire service is that your wage while training is 19-22k, which is the same as my basic at the moment, and is manageable... There are not many other jobs you can start with very little experience and be paid 19K as an introductory rate.

A firman I vaugely know has an AGV license and drives in his spare time. I also like the idea of public speaking and some of the other parts which can come with the job as well as fire fighting etc....
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[Barney]

I've been a tree surgeon for 4 years now, its not great money for the amount of hard work involved, will take you about 5-6 years to be earning top wage which around here is about 25k.
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