Volunteers

Our work to engage with customers across Kent and Medway takes time, energy and the use of a variety of different methods including face to face and telephone. Our volunteer scheme was strategically moved into the Engagement team in 2019 to support an enhanced approach to engagement. The people who volunteer are passionate about supporting KFRS and in a post COVID-19 world; the gift of time they give supports growing pressures on public services to deliver enhanced services to people when they need it most.

Volunteers deliver unique roles for the organisation and enhance resources, but do not replace roles performed by paid members of staff. Volunteers bring skills and experience from all walks of life and through our volunteer roles they deliver on strategic priorities. The scheme brings real benefits to Kent Fire and Rescue Service and our customers.

KFRS Volunteers provide valuable support to our teams across the organisation, ranging from talking to customers about safety at fire station open days, raising awareness of our services through giving talks, supporting the gathering of research and customer insight at events and in town centres and by supporting our firefighters offering welfare and emotional support to customers affected by emergencies.

Roles include:

Event support
Safety Volunteers
Research Volunteers
Building Safety Volunteers
Volunteer Response Team
Inclusion Volunteers
Dementia Volunteers
Health Volunteers
Green (Eco) Volunteers

Why we have volunteers

Resilience

Enhanced resources with the ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and emerging risks

Strategy

Supporting a range of different people and teams across the service

Welfare and wellbeing

Welfare support for customers and firefighters at incidents. Volunteering strengthens mental and physical health.

Knowledge

Supports Kent Fire and Rescue Service to maintain connections to the community. Enables volunteers to grow skills and knowledge.

Opportunity

Provides equality, diversity and inclusion opportunities to support KFRS to be a great place to work and volunteer

Future

Creates opportunities to support routes to recruitment at KFRS and partners

Make a difference

Makes a positive difference in people's lives. Helping to create a safer future for Kent and Medway.

Pride

Establishes a sense of pride and identity. Chance for people to give back to their community.