If you’ve ever wanted to be a firefighter, now could be your chance as Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is recruiting on-call firefighters who live or work within five minutes of an on-call station.

Hannah has been working as an on-call firefighter for two years at Tonbridge station, having applied after seeing a recruitment post on social media.

Hannah said: “I kept seeing adverts popping up on my social media and I was quite curious about it, at the time I didn’t know too much about the role, so I went down to the station and had a chat with the crew, and it sounded like a role I’d enjoy.

“It’s been great. It’s been challenging, there’s a lot to learn and a lot of new things to do but it’s really rewarding – I love what I do.

“We’re very much one team and there’s a lot of opportunity to grow and develop within the fire service.” 

Hannah fits her role as an on-call firefighter around her normal day job. Having completed the initial training course, Hannah attends drill nights once a week to maintain and enhance her skills through a range of training exercises to prepare for different types of incidents. 

She said: “The training is excellent, and you can fit it around your normal life. On-call firefighters receive the exact same training as the whole-time firefighters, we just do it at a slightly different pace. 

Hannah responds to a wide range of emergencies in her local area, and a there’s one medical response incident that has stayed with her. 

She said: “We attended someone who was suffering with chest pains, and it turned into a full cardiac arrest. We were there at the critical time and saved their life, so that stands out to me.”

For anyone wanting to join KFRS, Hannah’s advice is: “Find out as much as you can about the role, see if it’s for you, chat to the crew and go for it!”

KFRS Area Manager Nick Scott, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for people who want to make a difference in their community. It’s a role that can fit alongside a full-time job or around family life, allowing you to work flexibly with a set number of hours a week, with a mixture of daytime, weekend, and evening shifts. If you want to be there for the people in your neighbourhood in times of need, this could be the fulfilling role you’re after.”

On-call firefighter applications are now open for the following stations, and the closing date is Sunday, 11 August

• Swanley
• Swanscombe
• Ash-cum-ridley
• Borough Green
• Sevenoaks
• Westerham
• Edenbridge
• Tonbridge
• Paddock Wood
• Tunbridge Wells
• Southborough