This week organisations across the UK are celebrating Volunteers’ Week (2-8 June). Volunteering is a vital component of UK society, with millions contributing their free time and skills across the country.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) recognises incredible volunteer contributions in the fire sector which help form the backbone of community safety work in the UK fire and rescue service, with hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteers’ time given to building safer communities.
The traditional image of the fire and rescue service is often of firefighters tackling incidents, but the work goes much wider than this.
Volunteers support our crews and other service members within local communities to help make homes safer, educate children and vulnerable people about common hazards and what they can do to prevent emergency incidents happening in the first place, including education about road and water safety.
There are many reasons why people are motivated to volunteer, including keeping the mind and body active after retirement, giving something back to the community or exploring a new career path by learning new skills. Volunteering opportunities are offered to engage the community and increase the capacity and diversity of our fire services across the UK.
NFCC’s Volunteer Lead, Wendy Richings, said:
“People volunteer for a variety of different reasons, but one thing that unites them all is the impact they make. It can add a great deal to your life and the lives of those that you help in the community.
“Our volunteers give their time so generously and connect us in a really different way to members of our public, and our communities. We are so grateful for their ongoing dedication and support. They are a valued part of our service and we can’t thank them enough for what they do.”
John Griffiths has embraced volunteering since joining Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) in 2023. Over a period of 18 months he gave more than 500 hours of his time to support three volunteering roles: Community and Support Volunteer, Safety Centre Volunteer, and Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor.
Wendy continued:
“John’s flexibility, enthusiasm and reliability have made him an invaluable asset to the service. His contributions have not only made a lasting impact on the community but have brought additional skills, knowledge and life experience to GMFRS.
“I would urge anyone considering a rewarding volunteering role to contact their local fire and rescue service and enquire about what volunteering opportunities are available. You’ll meet like-minded people with the knowledge that you’re making a tangible difference to safety in your community.”
There are a range of volunteering opportunities within the UK fire and rescue service. These could include:
- Attendance at community engagement events/community fun days to engage with members of the public to promote safety.
- Participating in leaflet drops and providing fire safety information.
- Attending career advice events along with service staff to promote careers in the sector.
- Engagement with members of the public at local supermarkets and health/community centres to promote the importance of Home Fire Safety Checks.
- Assisting the UK Fire Cadet Units and supporting the team leaders in the delivery of the programme.
As well as volunteering there are many ways to get involved with the fire sector. For more information visit: New to the sector – NFCC
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