Fire Control Transfer – West Midlands Fire Service

Expression of interest for Firefighter (Control) inter-service transferees to Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control (SWMFC).

Are you ready for the challenge of working in one of the leading fire control rooms in the country?

SWMFC is at the core of innovation and pushes the boundaries of emergency response and mobilisation across two counties in the heart of England.

We are welcoming expressions of interest for fire control vacancies that may become available within the next 12 months, within our shared fire control, with plenty of opportunity for development towards supervisory management.

Job Title

Firefighter (Control)

Salary

Up to £34,415 plus CPD (£1,070)

Location

Primarily based at West Midlands Fire Service headquarters, in Birmingham, with the requirement to work from a secondary location (in the West Midlands) at short notice.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from Fire Control Operators, who are currently employed by a local authority fire and rescue service, and are either:

· competent and have current compliance with all Firefighter (Control) National Occupational Standards, or

· are in development working towards compliance with all Firefighter (Control) National Occupational Standards.

This must be supported by a certificate/summary of achievement, covering statement, or equivalent, by your current service.

There should be no active or outstanding conduct investigations, or capability development outside of the normally expected development plans. This does not include development towards supervisory management.

This is an open-ended expression of interest and as such there are no set timescales for the process. Information will be communicated to interested candidates as it becomes available.

Background

SWMFC serves as the fire control room for West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

Our fire control operators take emergency calls, diffuse stressful situations, mobilise resources and equipment, and manage our vehicles and officers.

They liaise with firefighters who are at the scene of emergencies, record important details on incident logs, and work closely with the public and businesses on protection and prevention work. They also use our 999eye system to get imagery and video from 999 callers and use this, alongside other key skills, to dynamically adjust resources mobilised, where applicable and appropriate.

At SWMFC, the types of incidents we deal with can be many and varied – from fires to road traffic collisions, major industrial incidents and other significant threats to life and property.  This is why we need our operators to be professional, highly skilled and dedicated to the service they provide.

With the responsibility of keeping the 3.8 million people that form the communities of Staffordshire and West Midlands safe, we serve a diverse geographical area of 3615 sq. metres.

We are a forward thinking and innovative team who adapt and respond effectively to emerging risks, while delivering the best possible service to our communities. As a result, the role of fire control continues to grow as we meet these new challenges.

We provide our fire control function primarily from one site, with two further sites in the West Midlands to enhance resilience. This is further supported locally and nationally through “buddy” arrangements with other fire controls across the country. These arrangements help all parties to meet dynamic demands, unique to the fire and rescue service.

Description

You will need to be adaptable to varying challenges and proactive in managing change. You will be robust in leading and supporting your team through periods of spate, spike and business continuity.

You must be sector competent against the National Occupational Standards for Firefighter (Control). Knowledge of VISION 4 is desirable, but not essential, as training will be provided for any cross-system familiarisation.

You will need to be resilient and enthusiastic, with high degree of self-motivation, acknowledging the challenges that come with promoting change in organisational culture. We actively promote diversity and inclusivity in our workforce, and candidates should embody and promote ‘Our Values’ of:

· Community at our heart

· Leadership

· Trust

· Excellence

· Diversity, Inclusion, Cohesion, Equality (DICE)

Positive Action

West Midlands Fire Service welcomes applications from all, however as women and members of ethnic minority groups are currently underrepresented in our organisation, we particularly encourage applications from members of these groups.

Shifts/Hours

The role is a full-time position, averaging 42hrs a week (48hrs over an 8-day cycle).

The role follows a four watch-based pattern of 2 consecutive day shifts, followed by 2 consecutive night shifts, then 4 days off.

Day shifts are 8am to 7pm. Night shifts are 8am to 7pm.

Pre-employment checks

Please note that all appointments are subject to:

· Satisfactory Basic DBS check

· social media vetting

· medical clearance following completion of relevant medical questionnaires

· suitable references – this will include verification of competent or in-development status at the FF (Control) level.

A development needs analysis will be undertaken, by WMFS to, to assess what support and level of integration will be required as part of the transition process into our service, on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

We offer a friendly working environment with good terms and conditions including:

· on-site free gym facilities

· access to in-house occupational health facility – including access to occupational health advisors, fitness advisors, sports therapist, physiotherapist, CBT therapist, counsellors

· 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

· wellbeing programmes

· free car parking

· Sports & Welfare scheme (for a small fee) – access to discounted products and services.

Contact

Should you wish to discuss the role further please contact Darryll Darkin (Station Manager for Fire Control) on 07973810384 or via email darryll.darkin@wmfs.net

We look forward to hearing from you!