On-call applications are currently closed.
Please note: You MUST be available for all of the above stages in order to be considered for this role.
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
- Cudworth Fire Station
- Dearne Fire Station
- Penistone Fire Station
- Rossington Fire Station
- Stocksbridge Fire Station
How do I apply?
We open up application windows in February and September each year. We won’t accept applications outside of this time. You can, however, register your interest in an on-call role using the form at the bottom of this page. We will then contact you when recruitment opens.
There is, however, 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 shortly afterwards before going on to fitness and practical tests. After this is the interview stage, before the medical stage. Successful candidates will then be required to attend our Training & Development Centre at various points over the following six months.
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
Check out our dedicated case studies page and watch the below video to hear some of our serving on-call firefighters tell you why it’s such a fantastic job…
Useful documents
You can read our on-call information booklet for potential new staff, here.
On-call Firefighter Recruitment Candidate Information Pack 2024
Online Recruitment Stages – Information including Practice Tests
Behavioural Styles Questionnaire (BSQ) Information
Situational Judgement Test (SJT) Information
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.