Departments and Roles

What they do:

• Answer emergency 999 calls and mobilise resources
• Provide safety, evacuation, and survival guidance to callers while help is on the way
• Gather and share information, working with operational crews to support the effective, safe, and coordinated resolution of incidents
• Work with other emergency services and agencies during local, regional, and national incidents

Examples of roles:

• Fire Control Operator – Handles emergency calls, mobilises operational crews and contributes to the safe and effective management of incidents
• Crew Manager (Control) – Supports the Watch Manager with oversight of their fire control team to ensure safe and effective response coordination and management of incidents
• Watch Manager (Control) – Leads and manages their fire control team to ensure safe and effective management of incidents.
• Station Manager (Control) – Leads and manages fire control operations, implementing organisational policies and ensuring effective performance of the team.

What they do:

• Respond to fires, road traffic collisions, and other emergencies.
• Carry out rescues, provide medical assistance, and ensure public safety.
• Train regularly to stay prepared for a range of incidents.

Examples of roles:

• Firefighter – Responds to incidents, conducts fire safety work, and engages with the community.
• Crew Manager (or Crew Commander) – Leads a fire crew, takes charge of small-scale incidents, and supports training.
• Watch Manager (or Watch Commander) – Manages larger teams, oversees station operations, and commands multi-appliance incidents.
• Station Manager (or Station Commander) – Oversees multiple fire stations, ensuring service delivery and training standards.
• Group Manager (or Group Commander) and above – Middle Managers responsible for operational strategy, service improvement, and major incident command.
• Area Manager (or Area Commander) – Responsible for heading a directorate in the organisation. They take charge of an incident of up to 9 pumps or undertake specialist tasks as support at an incident. 

What they do:

• Educate communities to prevent fires and other emergencies.
• Identify and support people most at risk, including older adults and vulnerable individuals.
• Work with schools, local authorities, and community groups to improve safety.

Examples of roles:

• Community Development Officer – Delivers safety education and engagement programmes.
• Community Safety Advisors and Officers – Deliver safe and well visits, including complex and high-risk visits
• Education Manager – Manage school education delivery.
• Education Officer – Deliver targeted fire safety education into highest risk schools.
• Prevention Manager – Leads prevention strategies and partnerships with external agencies.
• Prevention Community Outreach Team Leader – Lead, manage, and develop a team of Prevention Officers, enabling them to deliver high-quality community services, while contributing to the development of systems and processes that shape the future of our prevention work.

What they do:

• Enable young people to gain firefighting skills and knowledge and have positive experiences in a fun, safe and secure environment, while developing life skills and inspiring positive life choices about their futures.

Examples of roles:

• Fire Cadets Lead – Support in the day-to-day delivery of Fire Cadet units.
• Fire Cadets Manager – Manage volunteers who deliver Fire Cadet units and ensure governance and quality assurance is in place for the Fire cadet programmes delivered.

What they do:

• Support investigations into internal safeguarding concerns.
• Help fire and rescue services build a strong safeguarding culture.
• Offer practical safeguarding advice and support to colleagues, taking responsibility for related tasks.
• Carry out audits and inspections to continually improve safeguarding practices.
• Work closely with internal and external partners, including local authorities.
• Help create and roll out safeguarding guidance, resources, and training both locally and nationally.
• Deliver and report on strategic safeguarding goals.
• Evaluate safeguarding tools and resources regularly to make sure they’re effective.
• Play an active role in improving the culture within fire and rescue services.

Examples of roles:

• The Safeguarding Manager and Safeguarding Lead work together to deliver all the above safeguarding aims.

What they do:

• Ensure businesses and public buildings comply with fire safety laws.
• Carry out fire safety inspections and offer guidance to reduce fire risks.
• Enforce fire safety legislation where necessary ranging from issuing a written notice to prosecutions.
• Adress complaints and public concerns arising from fire safety issues in public, commercial and multi occupancy residential buildings.
• May be required to provide technical expertise at operational incidents and assist with fire investigations.

Examples of roles:

• Fire Safety Advisor – provide basic fire safety advice and carry out inspections of lower-risk premises. They help businesses understand fire safety requirements and how to meet them.
• Fire Safety Inspector – carry out detailed inspections of all types of buildings, including higher-risk or more complex sites. They can enforce fire safety laws, issue legal notices, and work closely with other regulators on new developments and building alterations.
• Fire Safety Engineer – have specialist knowledge of fire safety design and engineering principles. They review complex building plans, particularly those involving innovative designs or significant engineering solutions, to ensure they meet strict fire safety standards. They also support Fire Safety Advisors, Inspectors, and operational personnel where necessary.
• Fire Safety Manager – Supervises and guides the work of fire safety personnel. Their role also includes overseeing inspection quality, ensuring consistency in applying fire safety and standards and supporting professional development within their teams.

What they do:

• Plan for disruptions and ensure emergency preparedness.
• Develop resilience strategies for critical services.
• Support risk management across the organisation.

Examples of roles:

• Business Continuity Officer
• Risk Manager

What they do:

• Inform the public and staff about fire service objectives and safety campaigns.
• Handle crisis communication and media relations.
• Develop public awareness campaigns and digital content.

Examples of roles:

• Communications Manager
• Media Officer
• Graphic Designer
• Social Media Officer

What they do:

• Ensure compliance with data protection laws and governance regulations.
• Oversee legal responsibilities such as GDPR and Freedom of Information.
• Provide strategic advice to fire authorities.

Examples of roles:

• Information Governance Manager
• Compliance Officer

What they do:

• Maintain fire stations and other service buildings.
• Manage refurbishment, sustainability, and property services.
• Ensure buildings meet health and safety requirements.

Examples of roles:

• Head of Estates
• Surveyor
• Sustainability Officer

What they do:

• Manage fire service budgets, spending, and financial planning.
• Purchase and maintain firefighting equipment, vehicles, and supplies.

Examples of roles:

• Finance Manager – Oversees budgets and financial reporting.
• Procurement Officer – Ensures services get value for money when purchasing resources.

What they do:

• Maintain and manage fire engines and specialist vehicles.
• Ensure equipment and vehicles are serviced and fully operational.
• Oversee logistics and asset management.

Examples of roles:

• Fleet Manager
• Transport Technical Officer
• Equipment Asset Management Officer

What they do:

• Provide expert advice on workplace safety and risk management.
• Ensure all fire service operations meet safety regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and safety audits.

Examples of roles:

• Health and Safety Manager
• Health and Safety Advisor

What they do:

• Develop and maintain IT systems that support emergency response and service operations.
• Ensure data security, digital transformation, and network stability.

Examples of roles:

• IT Project Manager – Oversees new technology projects.
• Cyber Security Specialist – Protects fire service data and systems.
• Software Developer – Builds and maintains critical IT systems.

What they do:

• Support recruitment, staff wellbeing, and professional development.
• Ensure the fire service is a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
• Train new and existing staff in fire service skills, leadership, and personal development.
• Deliver specialist courses in areas such as fire behaviour, water rescue, and road traffic collision response
• Support the mental and physical health of fire service staff.
• Provide access to health checks, physiotherapy, and counselling services.
• Ensure staff are fit for operational duties

Examples of roles:

• HR Business Partner – Advises on workforce planning and employment policies.
• EDI Manager – Leads on equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Fitness Officer/Occupational Health Advisor – Supports staff wellbeing and fitness for duty.
• Learning & Development Manager – Plans and oversees training programmes.
• Training Instructor/Learning Facilitator – Designs and delivers training courses and professional development programmes.
• E-Learning Developer – Creates digital learning resources for staff

What they do:

• Maintain and repair firefighting equipment and breathing apparatus.
• Ensure fire hydrants are operational and fit out new fire appliances.
• Select and test new equipment for operational crews.

Examples of roles:

• Operational Equipment Technician
• Technical Procurement Specialist