' West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has now completed its intake of wholetime recruit firefighters. We will not be recruiting for wholetime firefighters until approximately April 2006. Further information will be made available on the website nearer to this time.

However, we are recruiting for retained firefighters across the County. If you live and/ or work within four minutes of your local station contact us on (24 hr answerphone) for an information pack.' More Information click here

Imagine waking up with a whole day of possibilities stretching before you. A whole day where your physical and mental abilities will be tested to the full.

A day where you might make the difference between life and death. Being a West Sussex firefighter won't suit everyone. But let us assure you that our selection process is based solely on abilities.

We're sensitive to the needs of ethnic minorities and women, but we don't give any favours. Becoming a firefighter will not be harder for you than for anyone else, which is not to say it's going to be easy.

No matter who you are, if you've got what it takes, we'll take what you've got.

Today’s Fire service can offer you a satisfying, exciting and varied career. There is no national fire service. There are 50 separate Fire & Rescue Services in England & Wales, each run independently under the command of a Chief Fire Officer. In Scotland there are eight brigades, each under the command of a Firemaster

Like many organisations, the fire service draws from its existing employees those considered suitable for promotion to the most senior management positions and ensures that it has people with a wide range of skills from which to select. There are, therefore, career opportunities for school leavers and graduates alike, although there is no ‘graduate entry’ scheme.

Fighting fires can in fact be just a small part of everyday work. Fire fighters are called upon to advise on fire safety, but when they are called to a 'Shout' they could be dealing with any type of major or minor disaster: road-rail or air crashes-floods-chemical spills or rescuing people trapped in lifts or other confined spaces.

This requires a range of personal skills such as understanding, reliability, and flexibility, and the ability to work in a team.

Dealing with Emergencies

Technology obviously plays a major role in helping fire fighters to tackle emergencies as effectively as possible. For example, at brigade headquarters control room computers store street plans, details of high-risk buildings and the latest information on hazardous materials. This ensures that as soon as an emergency call is received-whether a fire, chemical spillage or road traffic accident-controllers can immediately assess what appliances are required to attend.

On attending at a fire, the fire-fighters have to make a very quick assessment of the situation, as materials used in homes and factories change so does the way the fire is tackled.

A house fire may require two appliances whereas a commercial or factory fire may involve several appliances as well as requiring thousands of litres of water and foam, plus the use of specialist equipment.

There is also the hazard of toxic fumes and heavy smoke, which can be generated from modern materials-for example foam filled furniture. This makes tackling a fire much more difficult.

The first phase of your career

If you join the fire service, whatever your educational achievements, you and other new entrants will receive the same basic training.

This will be carried out at your own brigade's training centre- or that of an adjacent brigade- and will provide all the basic training required to start operational duties in the rank of fire-fighter.

You will be a responsible member of a closely knit and well-organised team- where there is danger, teamwork really counts.

Your life and the lives of others depend on it. It is not a job that can be undertaken lightly- but can provide a sense of real achievement and value.

There is also plenty of scope for individual potential to be realised and a career path to be developed.

Training throughout your career

After your induction training, you will receive further training as part of your operational duties.
Most brigades will also offer a continuous in-service training programme to ensure your potential is maximised and that you are kept up to date with the latest firefighting and specialist techniques.

How to apply

To join the Fire Service, there are certain physical, medical, and educational requirements you will have to satisfy.

• Be aged over 18
• Have good eyesight
• Have a good level of all-round fitness
• Take both general written and practical tests.
  

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For further information on becoming a whole-time or retained firefighter, please contact our Personnel Services Department (Details Below)

Personnel Services Department
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service HQ
Northgate
Chichester
West Sussex
Tel: