Fire Hydrant & Dry-Riser Technician – Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

The Role

Within our Water Section we are currently recruiting for a Fire Hydrant and Dry Riser Technician to join our team of five other technicians and our administration team.

Based at Billericay Fire Station, the role involves the inspection and maintenance of statutory and private fire hydrants, predominately across the South of the County. Working on your own initiative in roadside and rural areas to identify fire hydrants, test and refurbish them using equipment from a workshop van.

The role is predominately lone working and of a physically demanding nature, working outside in varying weather conditions. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate manual handling capability, dexterity and the ability to access areas that are in overgrown locations using strimmer’s and hedge cutters and be able to pass the Authority’s in house driving assessment. The role will also periodically involve the testing of dry-rising fire mains at various locations across the County as part of a team. Experience of engaging with members of the public and the ability to interpret technical drawings and maps would also be advantageous.

Training is available for the successful candidate, which would include fire hydrant repair techniques, NRSWA Highways working training (New Roads and Street Works Act) and tool and equipment use etc.

Please note, the service vehicle can not be used for commuting to and from home.

What You Will Be Working On

Routine testing and maintenance of statutory and private fire hydrants

Conducting minor fire hydrant repairs and associated defect reporting

Acceptance testing of fire hydrants following third party repairs / replacements

Accessing new housing development sites to locate and acceptance test new fire hydrant installations

Wet testing of dry-rising fire mains as part of a team

What Are We Looking For?

Level 2 standard of education (e.g. GCSE) or equivalent experience demonstrating basic numeracy and literacy.

Full driving licence (also have category B+E).

The successful candidate will be required to complete the following courses once in post:

(NRSWA) Operative level qualification.

First Aid Qualification

Qualification in the use of Strimmer’s / Brush cutter & Hedge cutter

Angle Grinder Qualification