Wholetime Firefighters

Are you serious about fire safety, passionate about helping people and able to demonstrate the skills relevant to being a modern day firefighter? Then read on….

We are now recruiting for wholetime Firefighters.

Closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 27th April 2025. Please be aware if we reach our required number of applications before the closing date will close the process early with no notice.

This is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic, dedicated individuals who share our values, to embark on a career in the fire service. Our organisation would not exist without our firefighters who work in an extremely demanding, challenging yet rewarding role.

Everyone has their own idea of what a firefighter does – the truth is that putting out fires is only a small element of what our successful applicants will need to do. Our firefighters respond to a whole range of emergencies that may also include road traffic collisions, flooding and other natural disasters. Firefighters also carry out really important work in community safety, talking and listening to people, getting involved and sharing knowledge and preventing emergencies before they happen in order to save lives.

Individuals who are successful in this process will be employed as an apprentice firefighter. We are proud to be part of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Programme, which provides valuable opportunities for apprentices to develop work-related skills and experiences, and gain a qualification. The scheme also allows apprentices to play an important role in helping us provide a service to our communities. You will undertake the training programme alongside working as an operational firefighter which will form the journey for you to become a fully competent wholetime firefighter.

This recruitment process is to fill the training course which commences on 16th September 2025 and finishes on 22nd December 2025. During these dates no annual leave is able to be honoured.

Find out more and apply
Eligibility criteria
There are certain eligibility criteria that you will need to meet before you apply, please review this carefully.

The selection process
Our selection process is rigorous and is designed to assess your potential to carry out this challenging role. The selection process is broken down into a number of stages and each requires dedication and commitment. Full details on the selection process can be found on our wholetime recruitment web pages website. Applicants are encouraged to review this detailed information which includes some frequently asked questions.

For each section of the recruitment process you will be invited to book a convenient slot. The dates offered will be booked on a first come first served basis and no alternatives will be offered. If you are unable to attend the dates offered then we will not be able to progress your application any further.

The fitness testing sessions will begin week commencing 22 April 2025.

What you can expect
In addition to job satisfaction and the pride linked to working with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, which include: a competitive salary and pension scheme, a generous leave entitlement and working pattern which promotes a work-life balance, excellent training and career opportunities and a variety of supportive health and wellbeing provisions.

Interested? Please see the briefing note at the bottom of this advert for full details on submitting your application form and for additional information on the first step of this recruitment journey.

When you are ready to apply click on the ‘apply’ button to complete our application form.

Please note: we ask that you remain patient and request that you do not contact us to check on the status of your application. We will receive a large number of applications and will not be able to respond to the volume of emails received. You should be able to find many answers to queries you may have about the process on the wholetime recruitment section of our website.

Any multiple applications for the same position will be flagged and all of your applications will be rejected.

Our values
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy.

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, and as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

As a Service and as individuals:

We are proud to help
We are honest
We are respectful
We are working together
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve and aspire for this to be reflected within our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values and want to make a difference in the community, to consider working for us.