Wholetime Firefighter

Overview

Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

Address: Suffolk Wide. Our Wholetime stations are based in Haverhill, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich East, Ipswich Princes Street, and Lowestoft South. In addition to our County Day Crew Team.

Salary: Firefighter Development or Competent salary in accordance with NJC pay scales

Hours: Wholetime, 42 hours per week including weekends and bank holidays

Contract: Permanent

To be eligible to apply, you must have attended one of our August taster sessions.

About the role

Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? Being a firefighter is more than a job. It is one of the most rewarding careers you can pursue, and it is evolving in powerful ways. Today\\\’s firefighters don\\\’t just respond to emergencies; they help prevent them through life-saving education and proactive safety initiatives.

At Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, we\\\’re proud to put our community at the heart of everything we do. As a Wholetime firefighter, you\\\’ll be a visible and trusted presence across Suffolk by conducting home safety visits, supporting local businesses with fire prevention, and engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds to share vital messages about fire safety, road awareness, and community resilience.

We are committed to excellence, offering first-class training and clear pathways for career progression. Whether you aspire to move into leadership, specialise in prevention or training, or simply become the best firefighter you can be and we will support your journey every step of the way.

Join us and be part of a team that\\\’s making a real difference, every single day.

Your roles and responsibilities

As a Firefighter, you\\\’ll play a key role in delivering emergency response and community safety across Suffolk. You will support your station\\\’s operational readiness, respond to incidents, and help investigate causes of fires and false alarms all while ensuring the highest standards of safety for yourself, your team, and the public.

• maintaining and testing vehicles and equipment
• promoting fire safety and prevention in the community
• participating in training, exercises, and development activities
• supporting station administration and ensuring compliance with policies
• upholding health and safety standards and using PPE appropriately.

You will work closely with colleagues and managers, contribute to team development, and help build strong links with the local community. This is a physically and mentally demanding role, requiring commitment to personal fitness, continuous learning, and a strong sense of responsibility.

You will need

• Demonstrate personal values and behaviours that align with our corporate WE ASPIRE values and the NFCC Core Code of Ethics
• Be passionate about making a positive difference in Suffolk
• Be physically fit and committed to maintaining your fitness
• Have strong problem-solving skills and situational awareness
• Communicate clearly and effectively with people from all backgrounds
• Remain calm and professional when dealing with people in challenging situations
• Be reliable, responsible, and a strong team player
• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence with no more than six penalty points (licence checks will be carried out)
• Be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Be a competent swimmer
• Be able to demonstrate the skills and behaviours outlined in the Firefighter Role Map on the Job and Person Profile.

You must also be prepared to:

• Work at height and in enclosed spaces
• Operate outdoors in all weather conditions
• Carry heavy equipment
• Work unsociable hours, including nights, weekends and bank holidays
• Respond to incidents involving serious injury, trauma, or fatalities
• Work in a disciplined environment and follow instructions

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don\\\’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

For more information

If you have any questions about the role and your suitability, please contact, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Recruitment Team by emailing: sfrs.recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word) and view further information our Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Webpage, Being a Wholetime Firefighter.

Step 2 – Click Apply Now\\\’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a copy of your latest CV (without personal details). If you\\\’re currently serving as a firefighter with another service, please upload any relevant training documentation to support your application.

Please note: Without a CV and your Taster session booking number, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 26 September 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We\\\’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you\\\’ll enjoy:

• up to 40 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata)
• membership of a competitive Firefighters\\\’ Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• eligibility for a Blue Light card
• a lifetime of support from the Fire Firefighters Charity for you and your loved ones
• family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• Diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).