Become an On-Call Firefighter
Create the Safest Community with us.
At TWFRS, our purpose is simple: to save life, reduce risk, provide humanitarian services, and protect the environment – today and for the future. Our on‑call firefighters are paid, trained professionals who serve their local area alongside other responsibilities, living our values of Safety, Integrity, Inclusivity and Learning every day.
On‑call firefighters respond to emergencies, carry out prevention and protection work, and train regularly to stay ready – while balancing other jobs, studies, or family life.
What is an On‑Call Firefighter?
An on‑call firefighter (sometimes called “retained”) is paid to provide agreed periods of availability. When your pager alerts, you head to your local station and crew the appliance to respond. Outside of incidents, you’ll attend weekly drill nights, maintain your skills, and support community safety activity.
You’ll make a difference by:
Delivering prevention and protection activities that match local risks and needs across Tyne and Wear.
Responding to fires, road traffic collisions, flooding, and other emergencies.
How this differs from our Wholetime role
- Contract & hours: On‑call is based on agreed availability around your life; wholetime colleagues work rostered shifts.
- Primary workplace: On‑call firefighters usually respond from home or work to Chopwell Community Fire Station; wholetime are based at a station on a set rota.
- Recruitment journey: The stages and timelines differ from wholetime. Please follow the on‑call steps below.
You can still explore what a TWFRS firefighter does on our Become a Firefighter page; remember the process and expectations below apply to on‑call.
Our Benefits
Earn £4,000–£8,000
Paid Training Provided
Flexible Availability Hours
Continuous Skill Development
Retail and Hospitality Discounts
Free On‑Site Gym
Supportive Station Culture
Community Impact Role
Is On‑Call Right For Me?
We welcome people from all backgrounds who can bring our values to life:
- Safety: You act with care, diligence and accountability – for yourself, your crew and our community.
- Integrity: You do the right thing, build trust and take responsibility.
- Inclusivity: You value every voice, collaborate well and help everyone feel welcome.
- Learning: You’re curious, up for continuous training and personal development.
Eligibility & Availability
To be considered, you need to:
- Be 18 or over by the time the trainee course commences and able to work in the UK (role‑related checks apply, e.g., medical, eyesight and DBS).
- Live or work close enough to reach Chopwell Community Fire Station quickly when alerted – within 8 minutes.
- Offer regular, predictable availability minimum of 30 hours each week and attend a weekly drill night for training.
- Have employer support for release during declared hours if you’ll respond from work. (We’ll discuss this at a station visit; employer consent is common practice.)
Accessibility & adjustments: If you require reasonable adjustments to be made for any part of the recruitment and selection process, please provide further information on your application form. Alternatively, you can contact the recruitment team via HR.HelpDesk@twfire.gov.uk
Training, Development & Support
You’ll complete an initial training course to gain essential skills (e.g., breathing apparatus, ladders, casualty care), then continue learning through drill nights and refresher training – staying safe and competent to serve. This continuous improvement mindset is core to our Learning value and strategy.
Pay and Benefits
Salary £4,000 – £8,000 per year.
On‑call firefighters are paid professionals. You’ll receive a retainer for your availability, plus payment for incidents, drill nights and training.
The Recruitment Journey
We follow the NFCC’s national approach, adapted for Tyne and Wear. Timings can vary by station; we’ll confirm details when you register interest.
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Tell us where you live/work and your likely availability. We’ll check proximity to Chopwell Community Fire Station and inform you of next steps should you be eligible to apply.
Application & online ability tests
Short online assessments (e.g., verbal, numerical or mechanical reasoning) help us understand your strengths. Accessibility adjustments are available on request.
Station visit / Have‑a‑Go session
Try practical elements, meet the crew, and discuss the commitment. These sessions are a proven way to demystify the role.
Practical & fitness assessments
Undertake practical and fitness assessments including the bleep test and role related tests. Role related tests include the following:
- equipment carry
- aerobic fitness
- ladder climb
- casualty evacuation
- ladder lift/lower
- BA crawl
- equipment assembly
We’ll brief you fully and support you on the day.
Interview
We’ll assess your suitability for the role and how you demonstrate TWFRS values of Safety, Integrity, Inclusivity and Learning.
Pre‑employment checks
Medical including substance abuse test, right to work, reference and DBS Checks.
Initial training & probation
Start your course, join your station and begin your journey to competency – supported by regular drill nights and our development framework.
Your impact in Tyne and Wear
Our on‑call firefighters contribute directly to fast, effective response and community safety across the five local authority areas we serve. Everything we do is focused on our vision to Create the Safest Community – prioritising prevention, protection and response where the risk is greatest.
Inclusion and Ethics
We want a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We’re committed to a culture where everyone can thrive, guided by our values and the national Core Code of Ethics. If you’re passionate about serving others, you’ll find your place here.
How to Apply
Register your interest: Complete an Expression of Interest for on‑call. We’ll contact you with next steps and station‑specific details.
Ask a question: Use the contact options on our careers pages if you need guidance on availability, adjustments or employer support
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do I need to get to the station?
You’ll need to reach your station quickly once alerted. You have up to eight minutes.
Do I have to be super‑fit to apply?
You’ll complete role‑related practicals and a fitness assessment. The NFCC advises a minimum fitness level, and we’ll support you with clear guidance before you test; reasonable adjustments can be considered for written/online components.
Can I do this alongside my job?
Yes – many on‑call firefighters balance the role with another job. You’ll need employer support for release during declared hours if you plan to respond from work. We’ll discuss this with you and your employer if helpful.
Is the role paid?
Yes. On‑call firefighters receive a retainer and payments for incidents, drill nights and training. We’ll provide station‑specific details during the process.
Ready To Step Forward?
Transfer your skills. Transform lives.
If you share our values and want a role with real purpose in your community, we’d love to hear from you.
- Email: recruitment@twfire.gov.uk with your On‑Call Expression of Interest
- Visit Current Vacancies
- We’ll be in touch with next steps