Wholetime
The role of a firefighter
The role of the Fire Service has changed considerably over the years, and the work undertaken by firefighters today has had to change to reflect the new demands made on the service and the diverse community we serve.
In a modern fire and rescue service, providing an emergency response to fires, road traffic collisions, floods etc. is only one part of the role. Greater emphasis is placed on our role in making Hampshire safer. This requires our firefighters to display a vast range of different skills to not only respond to emergencies in our community but effectively engage with the community we serve. This could be, meeting with community groups delivering safe and well messages, working alongside vulnerable people or talking to residents/local businesses about how they can stay safe.
Fully competent firefighters are highly skilled technicians capable of using the most modern equipment, methods and techniques to undertake a wide range of firefighting, rescue, road collisions and other emergencies which the fire and rescue service is called upon to deal with.
To function effectively in emergencies firefighters must apply courage, strength and at times the capacity for rapid, intense and sustained effort. You need to be able to follow instructions quickly, and as part of a team, at emergencies combined with the capacity to use initiative when tasked to work alone. You should have a practical and inquisitive mind to grasp an understanding of the basis of a wide range of subjects necessary to anticipate and overcome hazards, yet be able to support casualties of emergencies in their time of need whilst having the ability to carry on in what may occasionally be emotionally harrowing circumstances.
If you would like to be part of a diverse fire service that strives to be the best it can be, embrace the challenges we face daily with energy and enthusiasm then please read on. In return we can offer you the opportunity to work a variety of different shift patterns, support you through a continuous development programme and open your thoughts to a number of other roles and promotional pathways in the future.