Nine fire stations across Kent are now hiring on-call firefighters.

It’s an important role at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), and recruits will attend incidents in their community as well as weekly drill nights at their on-call base fire station. 

One of the stations looking for new recruits is Tenterden, where Jacob has been on-call for three and a half years after transferring from Charing after moving house. 

‘We get a real connection with the people we help in our neighbourhood’

He said: “I was at a bit of a gap in my career, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I decided to visit the station in Charing and find out more about it. 

“Your main job is of course a priority, but being on-call can be done in your spare time - getting called out from home and being at the station and out on the fire engine within five minutes. I work fifty hours a week, which may sound a lot, but I do most of those hours in bed asleep, but ready for the pager to go off.”

 He added: “We go to a large variety of incidents and often they have a personal impact on all of us at the station - we get a real connection with the people we help in our neighbourhood.

“I love being an on-call firefighter, it’s a big part of my life now and I feel part of a big on-call community. It’s not just going to do amazing work with colleagues, you’re working with friends, and you all want to make a difference and save lives.”

 

‘It’s the best job I’ve ever had’

One of Jacob’s colleagues, Tony, has been an on-call firefighter for six years and he drives Tenterden’s fire engine. 

Tony wanted to be a firefighter from a young age. He said: “You see a fire engine and you assume they’re going to a fire; people don’t realise all the other types of emergencies we go to. I choose to do day and night on-call cover, and I love that I can get called out any time and don’t know what I may be faced with. 

“It’s the best job I’ve ever had, I love what I do. So,if you’ve got the urge to get involved, put yourself to it and do it! It’s so worth it.” 

KFRS Group Manager James Kirk said: “The on-call firefighter role offers flexibility to fit around full-time work and around family and your social life. There’s a set number of hours to cover which can be in the daytime, overnight, or at weekends – you work it to suit your lifestyle. 

"As well as this being a rewarding opportunity to give back to your community, as part of KFRS, you’ll enjoy benefits including generous annual leave, flexible working, Blue Light Card discounts, enhanced family policies, and pension schemes – all designed to support your health and promote a positive work-life balance.

"We’re looking for people who want to make a real difference in their neighbourhood.”

Applications for the below on-call fire stations are open until Sunday, 3 November 2024

• Charing

• Aldington
• Cranbrook
• Hawkhurst
• Lenham
• Headcorrn
• Marden 
• Larkfield