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- Tasks: Handle 999 emergency calls and support callers during various incidents.
- Company: Join the Thames Valley Fire Control Service, a collaborative and supportive team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, onsite gym, health benefits, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing essential skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths; strong communication and IT skills required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
Benefits:
- Salary: £28,865- £36,937 per annum (once competent)
- Rota Pattern: 42-hour week across 4 days, comprising of 2-day shifts (09:00 - 18:00) and 2-night shifts (18:00 - 09:00), followed by 4 days off
- Location: Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
- Onsite gym, parking facilities, Benenden Health (discretionary private healthcare), My Lifestyle employee discount scheme, Blue Light Card and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available
About the role:
The Thames Valley Fire Control Service (TVFCS) is a collaboration between Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Oxfordshire County Council and Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority. We are inviting applicants for the role of a Fire Control Operator to join the team. This is a vital position within TVFCS. You will be supporting callers with a wide range of incidents as calls to fires are only a small part of our job.
As a Fire Control Operator, you will:
- Receive and handle 999 emergency calls
- Gather and process critical information from callers
- Support callers during a wide range of incidents, including fires, road traffic collisions, chemical spills, flooding, and rescues
You will evaluate the situation, decide on the best course of action and mobilise resources in line with the incident using our command-and-control system to communicate to the fire appliances, stations and officers passing on the information gathered from members of the public or other agencies.
Ask yourself the following:
- Are you genuinely interested in people?
- Are you someone that others see as dependable?
- Can you get on with people from different cultures and backgrounds?
- Can you work as part of a close-knit team, and be able to react quickly when given direction from other team members?
- Are you able to work calmly, respond positively and work effectively when under pressure?
- Can you think on your feet and solve problems, multi-task and communicate quickly and clearly?
- Are you someone who can cope with routine, as well as changing demands?
- Do you have the sensitivity to deal with members of the public when they are distressed, confused and unsure of where they are?
- Are you committed to maintaining and developing your skills?
- Can you take responsibility for representing the Service when you are at work and when you are not?
- Are you prepared to work days, nights, evenings, weekends, and public holidays, including Christmas Day?
- Do you have a confident telephone manner and good IT skills?
Essential requirements include:
- GCSEs in English and Mathematics (A–C or equivalent)
The key focus of this role (knowledge, skills and experience):
- Effective and confident written and oral communications
- Able to work calmly under pressure
- Able to prioritise tasks appropriately
- Effective communicator with strong telephone and IT skills
- Flexible attitude and able to work, days, nights, weekend and public holidays
Application and selection process:
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached. The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.
We are recruiting for fixed-term contracts and creating a pool of candidates for future vacancies. Applicants will be expected to detail their personal skills, qualities and attributes against the Job Profile/Person Specification. Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification on application.
Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.
For further details about the role please contact Julie Summers, Station Manager Control to arrange an informal discussion. If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.
Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CV's without an accompanying application form. Closing date for applications is 17 February 2026 at 17:00 hours.
Initial selection assessments for accuracy and speed in typing will be on-line during week commencing 23 February 2026. Successful candidates will then be invited to complete further typing tests / teamwork assessment on-site and to visit the Control room at 09:30hrs on 2 March 2026. If successful after full completion of all the above, interviews will take place between 13 to 20 March 2026. Medicals will be carried out after successful interview – dates TBC.
Anticipated first start date: End of April 2026 (dates to be confirmed). Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Please view Applicant Privacy Statement on application.
Our Commitments:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 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. Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too. All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).
To find out more: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment. Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement on application.
FIRE CONTROL OPERATOR 3 year Fixed Term Contract in Reading employer: Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Contact Detail:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land FIRE CONTROL OPERATOR 3 year Fixed Term Contract in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Fire Control Operator. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your knowledge and passion for the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be handling emergency calls, being able to communicate clearly and calmly is crucial. Try role-playing scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to fire services. This can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Thames Valley Fire Control Service team. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace FIRE CONTROL OPERATOR 3 year Fixed Term Contract in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you're genuinely interested in helping people and making a difference in emergency situations.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the job description. Highlight how your background fits the essential requirements, especially your communication skills and ability to work under pressure. We love seeing candidates who can connect their experiences to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and skills. Remember, we’re looking for effective communicators, so show us you can get your message across without any fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Fire Control Operator. Familiarise yourself with the types of incidents you'll be handling and the skills required, such as effective communication and problem-solving under pressure.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
This role is all about supporting callers in distressing situations. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated empathy, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. This will show that you can connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is key, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend or family member, focusing on how you would handle emergency calls and relay information accurately.
✨Be Ready for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification. Prepare specific examples that highlight your dependability, flexibility, and ability to prioritise tasks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
