Fire Control Operator

Job reference: REQ000356

Closing date: 07/07/2025

Starting Salary £28,865 raising to £36,937 upon assessment of competence

Hours: 42 hour week shift rota system involving day, night and weekend working

Are you ready for a rewarding yet challenging role?

We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our fire control room. This opportunity places you at the heart of emergency response, where you will play a vital role in keeping our communities safe

If you are able to work demanding shift patterns, handle high-pressure situations, and are passionate about making a difference, we encourage you to find out more about the role and apply!

About the Control Room

We take receipt of all 999 calls made to the Fire Service from within Bedfordshire, mobilise fire appliances, and see the incidents through to their conclusion. We facilitate any requests from the fireground and act as the critical communications hub between Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and external partners both locally, regionally, and nationally.

Control Firefighters are skilled in specialised call handling techniques to quickly assess situations and mobilise the right emergency crews. Using a variety of computerised systems, such as mapping, computer-aided dispatch, and web-based applications, we ensure efficient and effective responses.

Our team is also trained to identify callers in danger and provide life-saving instructions on how to protect themselves while waiting for fire crews to arrive. Join us and be a crucial part of a team that makes a real difference in emergency situations.

About the role and you

In the role, you will work in our Fire and Rescue Service Control Room. You will be responsible for receiving and acting upon emergency calls for assistance, directing fire appliances to incidents, and supporting Fire and Rescue Service operations and administrative processes.

You will value diversity, embrace change, and stay resilient under pressure. With strong communication skills, teamwork, and situational awareness, you approach challenges proactively and are committed to continuous growth.

You will have the ability to assimilate and retain information accurately while keeping calm under pressure. You must be over 18 years of age and hold 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades A to C, including English Language, with a good standard of communication skills. You must have experience using computers, and the ability to input verbal information quickly and accurately using a keyboard is required.

Full training in all aspects of the role will be given.  If successful, you will be required to work with a small but highly dedicated team on a 42 hour week shift rota system involving day, night and weekend working.

You will be required to wear a uniform which is provided.

For more details about the role, key responsibilities and essential criteria required for the role, please refer to the control recruitment pack, attached job description and person specification.

KEY DATES

Engagement session: Wednesday 2 July 2025 at 6:30pm via MS Teams.  To learn more about the role, ask questions, and hear directly from our experts. please click sign up here Fire Control Operator Online Engagement Session

Application closing date: Monday 7 July 2025. We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications.

Assessment centre and interviews – selection process: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 July 2025.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be given a date for the selection process, which will take place on either the 14th or 15th of July. You will only need to attend in person on one of these dates; however, we kindly ask that you keep both days available until your specific date is confirmed. The selection process will include various assessments and a panel interview.

How to apply

If this role is of interest, please visit our website https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/careers/search for further information and to make a formal application. We ask that you include your full career history and reference your skills and experience in line with the job description and person specification within your application and supporting statement.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Station Manager Faye Roast at faye.roast@bedsfire.gov.uk

Previous unsuccessful applicants need not reapply.

This is a public-facing role and it is essential to have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.

This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2023. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the level required for the role.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safer recruitment, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.