We are now closed for applications to the role of On-Call Firefighter.
If you would like to apply for a role at one of these stations, please complete the registration of interest via this link: https://www.syfire.gov.uk/find-a-job/register-your-interest/ and we will get in touch with you.
If you have any questions, please contact firefighterrecruitment@syfire.gov.uk or feel free to call in at your local on-call station.
Details of the location of our On-Call stations, the role and the recruitment process can be found below.
More detail on each of the stages outlined above is available in the Candidate Information Pack on the website.
Unfortunately, if you are unavailable it may not be possible to progress your application. If you are unavailable on a particular date, please notify us by email as soon as possible to firefighterrecruitment@syfire.gov.uk and we will try to accommodate your needs where possible.
What are on-call firefighters?
An on-call firefighter is someone employed by a fire and rescue service who is ‘on-call’ to respond to a range of emergencies and to engage with their community. They respond from home, or another place of work, where they have everyday lives and jobs – until their pager sounds and they become professional firefighters.
Put into more general terms, an on-call firefighter could be classed as a part-time firefighter. Part-time or not, though, they are fully trained and experienced people on the front line, saving lives and protecting people. They are exceptional individuals and there is nothing ‘part-time’ about their commitment.
Our on-call staff come from all areas of the community. For example, they could be stay at home parents, in full or part-time employment, working for themselves, studying at college or university or not currently employed. They are paid for their services, receive thorough training and are taught all they need to know about emergency situations.
Where are your on-call fire stations?
We have on-call firefighters at 7 stations across South Yorkshire. You must live or work within five minutes of one of these stations to be eligible for an on-call firefighter role. These are:
- Askern Fire Station
- Birley Fire Station
- Dearne Fire Station
- Penistone Fire Station
- Rossington Fire Station
- Stocksbridge Fire Station
How do I apply?
We will update the website with the intended recruitment dates as and when these are known, however, you can register your interest in an on-call role using the form at the bottom of this page at any time. We will then contact you when recruitment opens.
There is lots you can be doing in the meantime to prepare yourself for a role as an on-call firefighter. You can contact your local station at any point during the year to introduce yourself and learn more about the role. You can also look at the videos and documents below which will help you prepare for the practical tests, the theoretical tests and the interview process.
Once you have applied for a role with us, you will be required to do some online tests before going on to fitness and practical tests. After this is the interview stage, and finally the medical & pre-employment check stage. Successful candidates will then be required to attend our Training & Development Centre at various points over the following six months to complete their initial training for the role. Further details on each stage of the process are available in the Candidate Information Pack below.
Job related tests
Prior to starting your firefighter course, you must pass a series of job related tests. These are all demonstrated and explained in the below videos series:
Getting firefighter fit
So you’ve applied, and now you need to get ready for the tests and, potentially, your firefighter training course?
Don’t worry – we’ve created these videos to show you what you need to do…
Case studies
Considering an on-call role with us? Here’s how some of our serving on-call staff feel about their jobs…
Matt Frost
I applied to become an on-call firefighter as I wanted to get to know more people in my community and help protect the area I live in. I didn’t realise how much I would enjoy it and its one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The application period felt very long and drawn out but as soon as the training started it was totally the opposite. There is so much information to learn and its very full on. Although the training is demanding its also very fun. You’re working with like minded people and some great instructors. Another bonus is the amazing meals you will get at the training and development centre!
Once you’ve passed all your initial training and are on the run you can complete some whole time shifts on a watch / station you’re assigned too. This is very rewarding and helps you pick up even more skills from a diverse workforce.
We have two drill nights per week where we train and enhance our skills as well as keeping competency in all areas. The job changes from day to day and its never really the same, one minute you can be out fitting smoke alarms and then the next you’re on your way to an RTC or house fire.
From helping people on their worst day of there life to delivering fire safety advice to a group of kids its all rewarding and makes you feel a real sense of achievement at the end of it all.
In my opinion being an on-call firefighter is a big commitment, you can’t come into it expecting to just do a little bit or the minimum, you must be all in, and your family need to support and accept this as well. If you do it though it might just be the best thing you ever do. My only regret is not doing it twenty years ago. You hear people saying it’s the best job in the world and think they’re just trying to sell it to you, but once you’re doing it you realise it really is!
Jacob Faunt – Gas Engineer
I first saw the opportunity to become an on call firefighter when I walked past my local fire station and saw a banner up advertising recruitment. I thought, this could be for me, so I decided to give the number a call where I spoke to the on call crew manager about becoming a local firefighter in Penistone.
I then applied for the role here at Penistone as a recruit in the March recruitment process to then start my course in September 2023 at training school with the other recruits on my cohort, this was one very hot week in September where we learned about how to use the pump on the back of the appliance and how to use and set up fire service ladders, upon completing this first training course we were then allowed to ride the fire appliance to 999 incidents.
Our training ran through from September to December where we covered everything there was to know about the jobs we will encounter, this ranged from simple tasks such as putting in a fire hydrant to extricating multiple casualties from a live fire compartment. My favourite parts of the course was the technical rescue aspects such as working at height and RTC, here we learned how to deal with quite traumatic/time critical incidents in a very professional manner in order to conduct efficient and safe rescues.
I am now halfway through my development process in to becoming competent where I have had the pleasure of doing my whole time adoption shifts on Barnsley White Watch, I would say this has been one of the biggest highlights of my career so far. I got the exposure of how a whole time shift works and also the opportunity to be involved in the response to some very serious incidents in the areas around Barnsley and my base station.
My other job alongside been an on call firefighter is a plumber where I can range from jobs such as fixing a broken tap to plumbing up heating and bathrooms in a new home. I balance this quite well alongside the fire service by working Monday to Friday and then been on call weekends and night times during the week. My availability on a night and during my days off are crucial to Penistone’s appliance in keeping it on the run, if these hours weren’t dedicated to be on call it could result in Penistone’s pump been off the run and not been able to respond to time critical incidents in our areas.
Altogether I really do enjoy this job, the action, the satisfaction, the excitement and overall the feeling of knowing that we are doing good in the community, and I hope to continuously develop my skills in the fire service, then one day apply for whole time. I would strongly recommend applying for this role or even just attending a have a go day to see if this could be a job for you.
Robert Green – Fitness Instructor
I wanted to become an on-call fire fighter because I know about all the good you can do in the community and also the camaraderie of the workforce and that has always been important for me in the workplace.
To become an on-call fire fighter you have to get through the recruitment process, which involves some problem solving with Maths and English. There are loads of areas and opportunities for development throughout the job. You can naturally progress up the ranks at your station by completing your gateways.
There are obviously a lot of challengers in the role of a firefighter. A big challenge is that you will face some very mentally challenging situations. Another challenge is in the early stages of becoming a competent firefighter you have loads of new information and new skills to learn and develop in a relatively short period of time. The best way to overcome this is to ask for the help and clarification whenever you need it.
If you are wanting to be an on-call firefighter you should brush up on your basic Maths and English and interview skills, then I would urge you to give it everything you can as you will get out what you put in and I promise you won’t regret it.
I have balanced my career as an on-call firefighter with my full-time job working for myself.
Sam Gane – Askern Fire Station
HI, I’m Sam and I work at Askern fire station as an on-call firefighter, I have only been in the service a short time but I soon realised that each day is different and each incident can bring a different challenge.
One minute you could be saving a life, the next talking fire safety to vulnerable members of the pubic. No two days are the same. That is what makes this job so rewarding!
I provide my on call hours to fit in with my regular job as well as my family.
As a trainee, you are supported through all the initial courses by your colleagues and dedicated training instructors. Along with the initial training and support, there is also opportunity to progress, for example, I have already managed to gain my HGV licence through the fire service, next on my list is blue light driving.
The right role is there for anyone who is willing to work hard and as a team and I would say the best thing about being an on-call firefighter is working with the public, you are there for them on their worst days.
It’s not an easy job to do but is so rewarding, I would recommend to do your research on what it means to be an on-call firefighter. It’s tough but the feeling of satisfaction for helping people in need is second to none. It is a big commitment on you and your family.
However, you will get out of it what you put in. To me, it is the best job in the world.
Useful documents
You can read our on-call information booklet for potential new staff, here.
On-call Firefighter Recruitment Candidate Information Pack 2025
Online Recruitment Stages including Practice Tests
Verbal Reasoning
This test is designed to measure your ability to interpret and make sense of written information. This is a timed test and you will have 15 minutes to complete the questions.
Practice Tests: https://frs.tptests.com/candidate/practice?accesskey=1445204
Numerical Reasoning
Firefighters need to be able to make basic mathematical calculations. You will be presented with a number of scenarios that will show numerical information in a variety of formats from tables to graphs. This is a timed test and you will have 18 minutes to complete the questions.
Practice Tests: https://frs.tptests.com/candidate/practice?accesskey=321455714
Mechanical Reasoning
Questions will comprise images and contain very little text. Candidates will be required to apply cognitive reasoning to mechanical, physical and practical concepts in order to solve related problems. This is a timed test and you will have 17 minutes to complete the questions.
Practice Tests: https://frs.tptests.com/candidate/practice?accesskey=31524637
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. We warmly welcome applications from individuals who identify with underrepresented groups within our workforce, including individuals from Minority Ethnic backgrounds, women, those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT+), and individuals with disabilities. In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to innovation, creativity, and better decision-making, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Entry requirements
To be considered for the role of an on-call firefighter in SYFR, you must:
- Be eligible to work in the United Kingdom
- Be 18 years of age by the time your training course starts
- Live or work within 5 minutes of one of our On-Call Fire stations (see list above)
- Be physically fit to meet the requirements of the role and medical examination
- Be comfortable working at height, in confined spaces and around water
- Be able to demonstrate reading, writing and numerical skills to meet the requirements of the role
- You must also be committed to maintaining and developing new skills, and studying on top of your normal working days
Register your interest
Click here to register your interest in an on-call role within South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue.