Becoming an on-call firefighter

Your community. Your Call. Fit firefighting around your job, family, or lifestyle and be there when it matters most.

On-call firefighters are ordinary people who take on an extraordinary challenge. Carrying a pager, they’re ready to drop what they’re doing and respond to emergencies from home, work, or wherever they are as long as they can reach their local fire station quickly. They are the ones who step forward when it matters most: saving lives, protecting homes and businesses, and supporting their community in times of need.

Whether you’re working full-time, looking for something flexible, or balancing family life, becoming an on-call firefighter gives you the chance to do something remarkable alongside your everyday routine and you get paid for it.

Protect
Respond
Earn

5 mins Live or work within 5 minutes of
the station, or 7 minutes in more
rural areas.
£5-9K Earn £5,000 - 9,000+ per year depending on calls. Firefighter pension and benefits.

Ready to find out more?

Becoming an on-call firefighter could be one of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make. Fill in the form below and we’ll send you all the information you need to take the next step (This is not an application form).

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What does it mean to be an on-call firefighter?

Whether you’re working full-time, seeking flexibility, or balancing family life, becoming an on-call firefighter gives you the chance to do something truly remarkable alongside your everyday routineand you get paid for it. It’s more than a role; it’s an opportunity to make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills and joining a supportive team.

On-call firefighters respond to a wide range of emergencies and play an essential role in keeping their communities safe. Unlike full-time crews who stay at the station, they’re alerted to incidents and respond from home or work, arriving within an agreed turn-out time. You’ll commit set hours each week, arranged around your work, family, or hobbies, making this a professional, paid role with flexibility, variety, and purpose.

On-call firefighters receive the same high-standard training as full-time colleagues and attend the same incidentsfrom building fires and road traffic collisions to animal rescues and flooding.

Join the on-call crew.

Is this for you?

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You must:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Live or work within 5-7 minutes of an on-call station

  • Be physically fit and able to pass our fitness and medical assessments

  • Have a strong sense of commitment and teamwork

No previous firefighting experience is needed — full training is provided.

Start your application

  1. Check your location – do you live or work near an on-call station?

  2. Register your interest – fill out our short form.

  3. Attend an information session – meet the team and learn more.

  4. Apply online – the recruitment process will include a fitness test, medical, practical assessment day, basic literacy and numeracy tests, interview and reference check. It sounds a lot but we will support you every step of the way so you know exactly what to expect, helping you focus on showing your best self.

Pay and benefits

  • Pay: You will receive a monthly retainer fee for being available to work and further disturbance fees and hourly rates for attending incidents, training and drill nights. Initially you can expect to earn £5,000 - £9,000 depending on your availability and the number of calls out you attend.

  • Paid holiday: starts at four weeks for firefighter on the retained duty system and increases to five weeks with five years service.

  • Pension: you can join the firefighter pension scheme.

  • Training; we pay for all your training, kit and equipment. You will gain skills in first aid, leadership, emergency response with the opportunity to access learn many more.

  • Benefits: access to initiatives and a range of activities to support your health and wellbeing including an employee assistance programme, mindfulness and resilience training. Access to the national Blue Light Card discount scheme for emergencies service.

  • Community Impact: Be a local hero

  • Progression: Opportunities to move into leadership roles

The same high standards

On-call firefighters receive the same outstanding training as their wholetime colleagues. It’s designed to build confidence, develop essential skills, and prepare you for a wide range of emergency situations.

Your Training Journey

  • Initial Course: 2 weeks at our Leadership and Development Centre (LDC), Chorley. Covers core firefighting, health & safety, risk assessments, and equality & inclusion. Includes independent study to reinforce your learning.

  • Breathing Apparatus (after 6 months): Intensive 2-week course at LDC to prepare for hot, humid, and physically demanding conditions.

  • Drill Nights & Development (up to 4 years): Weekly drills, evening/weekend sessions at your local station, and self-study to build confidence and experience.

Training for on-call firefighters

On-call firefighter fitness requirements

Candidates complete a series of physical tests to ensure they can safely perform the role. Each stage assesses different aspects of fitness.

  • Achieve level 8.8

  • Demonstrates cardiovascular fitness

  • Seven incremental levels, gradient increases 3% every 2 minutes

  • Speed set at 3.9 mph (6.2 km/h)

  • Complete full 12 minutes

  • Rotate through stations in no particular order:

    • Ladder Climb

    • Casualty Evacuation

    • Ladder Lift

    • Ladder Extension

    • Enclosed Space

    • Equipment Carry

    • Hose Running

This is not a Pass or Fail test, it helps indicate success potential in recruit course.

  • Seated Shoulder Press: 35 kg+

  • Single Rope Pull: 42 kg+

  • Repeated 28 kg Pull: 23 reps or more at 35 reps/min

Support throughout your on-call journey

From application to fitness tests and interviews, our dedicated on-call support officers are here to guide you every step of the way. Based across Lancashire, each officer supports several fire stations, offering tailored advice and a strong understanding of local communities and challenges.

Find contact details for your local support officer and drill night information for your local station on our website. Please note: not all fire stations in Lancashire operate an on-call service or have a dedicated support officer.

On-call firefighting is designed to fit around your life and your employment.

Whether you’re employed, self-employed, studying, or at home, you can make it work. Many employers actively support on-call firefighters — helping to make Lancashire safer while benefiting their own workplace. It’s a partnership that works for everyone: the community, the fire service, and businesses.

If you’re interested in joining, we can support you in starting the conversation with your employer. Employers can find out more about the benefits of supporting on-call firefighters here.

Frequently asked questions - Eligibility and requirements

You must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the training course. There is no maximum age.

You can be of any nationality to apply, provided that you have the permanent right to remain and work without restriction in the UK. You will be required to supply evidence of your right to work in the UK during the recruitment process.

None, however your skills in relation to numeracy and literacy will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.

Do I have to be a certain height or weight to apply?

No. Candidates will be expected to pass strength and fitness tests as part of the recruitment process, and these are at a level achievable for both men and women of all different sizes and builds.

No, as long as you can get to the fire station in the agreed time frame, usually 5-7 minutes depending on where you are based.

Health, fitness & medical considerations

You will need to be physically fit and maintain your levels of fitness throughout a career as a firefighter. As part of the selection process you will be required to undertake a fitness test.

It won’t necessarily prevent you from becoming a firefighter. Your condition will be assessed following a detailed and individual assessment with our Occupational Health Unit (OHU).

Yes. Part of the recruitment process will include a medical and this will include an eye test. Our Occupational Health Physician will determine whether your vision meets the standards to become a firefighter. You will be required to take up to date eyesight test results to your medical appointment.

Yes, anyone who considers they have a disability can apply to join the fire service.

You will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process and to provide details of any reasonable adjustments that you may require to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter. Each case will be considered on an individual basis.

We have many firefighters with Dyslexia. Dyslexia is classed as a disability, and you will be asked if you have a disability as part of the application form process. Where a candidate has a disability, you should contact the Human Resources Department on 01772 866840 to discuss any reasonable adjustments you wish us to consider making during each stage of the recruitment process.

Faith, identity & inclusion

The Service respects and recognises the importance of the turban as an article of faith for Sikh firefighters. However, there are situations where wearing protective helmets is essential for safety, such as entering burning buildings or dealing with hazardous materials. Current safety equipment does not allow a fire helmet to be worn securely over a turban. While legislation exempts turban-wearing Sikhs from general head protection requirements, this exemption does not apply in high-risk roles like firefighting where protective helmets are vital. Fire Services continue to work with equipment manufacturers to explore safe solutions, but at present, wearing a turban is not compatible with wearing a fire helmet during operational duties.

The Service respects individual religious and personal beliefs. However, for health and safety reasons, firefighters must be clean shaven where a breathing apparatus facemask seals to the skin. Facial hair in this area can prevent a safe seal, putting firefighters at risk from smoke and hazardous substances. Some facial hair styles are acceptable, but full beards are not currently compatible with the equipment. Fire Services are working with manufacturers to explore safe alternatives, though none have yet been approved. More detailed guidance on acceptable facial hair styles is available on request.

The Service will make every effort to support employees in practising their faith. Many of our sites have dedicated Quiet Rooms or private spaces that can be used for prayer. However, as firefighting is an emergency service, there may be occasions when you are involved in an incident or rescue that requires you to defer prayers until the situation has ended.

The Lancashire Council of Mosques has confirmed that, within Islamic teaching, responding to an emergency before attending to prayer is a recognised and acceptable position. This ensures that firefighters can carry out their life-saving duties while still practising their faith.

Fire stations are inclusive workplaces and provide suitable facilities for all staff, regardless of gender. Where possible, separate changing and shower areas are available. Where this is not possible due to building design, clear arrangements are made to ensure privacy and dignity are respected.

Yes. Tattoos and piercings are not a barrier to becoming a firefighter, provided they are not offensive and do not affect health and safety when wearing personal protective equipment. Visible tattoos should be appropriate for a professional workplace and must not be discriminatory, offensive, or contrary to the values of the Service.

Recruitment process

You can find all the information you need about vacancies and the application process in the careers section of our website.

You will be assessed on verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and situational judgement.

To help you prepare, the following websites provide useful practice materials:

Please note: these practice tests are not identical to those used in firefighter recruitment. Some assessments are tailored specifically to the role and cannot be practised online. However, using these resources will give you a good idea of the style of questions and help you feel more confident on the day.

Yes, you will need to submit a new application form.