Your work-life balance
We provide a 24/7 emergency service, so shift work is an essential part of the role. Our patterns vary, but they don’t follow a traditional Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 routine.
You’ll regularly work night and weekend shifts. This will affect time with family and friends, and you won’t always be able to take leave at key times such as school holidays, as annual leave is allocated to ensure operational cover.
Exposure to traumatic incidents
Firefighters attend a wide range of emergencies. This includes incidents involving serious injuries and loss of life – sometimes involving children.
While support is always available, these experiences can be emotionally demanding, and some incidents may stay with you throughout your career.
Working in demanding environments
We have systems in place to manage risk, but firefighting will always involve an element of danger. You can expect to work in challenging and unpredictable conditions, including:
- Fire and smoke environments
- Working at height, in confined spaces, or in water
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Occasional verbal or physical abuse from members of the public
Your health
There is growing evidence that exposure to combustion products, such as smoke, soot and fire run-off, can increase the risk of cancer.
We have policies, procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) in place to help reduce this risk. However, because of the nature of the role, it cannot be eliminated completely.
When exposure is well controlled, the risk remains low. Even so, small amounts of exposure can build up over the course of a 40-year career.
There is also evidence linking the role to increased risks of cardiovascular conditions due to heat, smoke exposure and shift work.
Personal appearance standards
To safely use breathing apparatus, a tight seal around the face is essential. This means you’ll need to be clean shaven and have no facial hair that compromises the seal of the mask.
There are also policies around tattoos and appearance that you’ll need to follow as part of the role.
Fitness requirements
Firefighting is a physically demanding job. You’ll need to reach a good level of fitness to pass the selection process and complete initial training.
Ongoing fitness is just as important – all firefighters complete fitness testing every six months. You’ll have access to gym facilities and time during shifts to train, but maintaining your fitness will also require commitment outside of work.
This is a role that demands resilience, commitment and adaptability – but for those who are suited to it, it offers a unique and rewarding career.