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    News
    11 May 2022

    Service looking forward to return of Exeter Pride

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    03 May 2022

    New cooking safety campaign launches

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The role of a firefighter

A firefighter does more than put out fires. That’s just one of many things that a firefighter does. Because as well as extinguishing flames and saving people from danger, a firefighter also helps with hazardous materials, road traffic incidents, medical emergencies, floods, and even rescues cats in trees (yes, really).

And to stop things like this from happening in the first place, our crews also carry out work with the local community, from fitting smoke alarms, supporting businesses with fire prevention and working with the police to keep our roads collision-free.

View our current vacancies
Firefighters at an engine

Types of firefighters 

Wholetime

Wholetime firefighters work as a firefighter full-time. They are permanently based at, and mobilised from one of our wholetime fire stations.

They work in shifts usually in a pattern of two day shifts then two night shifts followed by four days off. 

Find out more about becoming a wholetime firefighter

On-call

Most of our fire stations are crewed by on-call firefighters. On-call firefighters do the same emergency work as wholetime firefighters, but they can also have other jobs too. While on duty, they carry around a pocket-pager, which activates when they need to attend an incident. They must live or work no more than five minutes from the fire station.

Find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter.

A second family

Being a firefighter is like having a second family. You’ll form a tight bond with your team, and they’ll always have your back.

A sense of purpose

Knowing that each morning, you might just save someone’s life that day. And your motivation in the role will help motivate you in everything else you do too.

New challenges

Every day is different, and each incident brings new challenges. One minute you could be dealing with a chemical spill, the next a vehicle fire. 

New and transferable skills

Thinking fast, communicating quickly and keeping calm in a crisis are just some of the skills you’ll fine tune as a firefighter. From first-aid to health and safety, you’ll build skills in areas that will also benefit your day-to-day role.

Our wholetime firefighters

Elsie doing a breathing apparatus exercise

Elsie's story

Find out why being small is a strength for Elsie and the Service!

Elsie's story
Liam

Liam's story

Find out about Liam and his role as a frontline firefighter for Urban Search and Rescue.

Liam's story
Kirsty touching her baby bump

Kirsty's story

You don't have to choose between family and fire fighting. Hear from Kristy who explains how the Service has supported her.

Kirsty's story

Our on-call firefighters

Craig

Craig's story

Discover why being a firefighter was written in the stars for Craig. 

Craig's story
Daniel

Daniel's story

Being an on-call firefighter has given Daniel confidence that will last him a lifetime.

Daniel's story
Laura with her daughter

Laura's story

Laura's advice? "For anyone thinking of joining the fire service, go for it!"

Laura's story
Female firefighter in a train doorway
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Firefighters doing Exeter Cathedral exercise 2
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Firefighter helping a woman inside a train
3 of 4
Firefighters doing Exeter Cathedral exercise
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Ready to take on the challenge?

Find out what we’re looking for in a firefighter, how to apply and the journey you’ll take to become part of the crew.

Become a wholetime firefighter

Become a wholetime firefighter

Become an on-call firefighter

Become an on-call firefighter

The role of a fire control operator

Find out more

Support staff roles

Find out more

Supporting women in the Service

Find out more

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