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.

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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.

Why it matters

Nearly half of Lancashire’s firefighters are on-call. They play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, especially in rural areas and smaller towns. Your quick response helps save lives, protect property, and support people in crisis. You gain skills such as team work, leadership and resilience which are valuable in every part of life.

Who can apply?

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.

Learn more about being an on-call firefighter

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

Training for on-call firefighters

Same high standards on a flexible pathway. 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.

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.

Ready to apply?

  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 nd 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.

Eligibility and requirements

Health, fitness & medical considerations

Faith, identity & inclusion

Recruitment process