On-Call Firefighting: Guide for Employers
Some on-call firefighters hold full-time employment, with agreements in place allowing them to respond to calls as needed. We understand that employers may have many questions before approving this type of arrangement, such as how frequently employees might be called away and for how long.
To support this, we have developed this guidance to help employers better understand the role of an on-call firefighter. This includes the benefits of having an on-call firefighter within their team and the practical impact it may have on daily business operations.
This guidance provides support to employers about the benefits of their employees becoming on-call firefighters, or whose employees may be interested in becoming an on-call firefighter.
On-call firefighters make up an invaluable part of the UK fire and rescue service, attending their local fire station when needed in an emergency. They are paid and trained to deal with a wide range of emergencies ranging from extinguishing fires in buildings to providing immediate emergency care to those who are suffering as a result of an emergency incident.
A firefighter’s role is not only to fight fires or to respond to emergencies. Firefighters also deliver important fire prevention and community resilience roles, providing safety advice to schools and communities, which can include conducting Fire Safety Checks for homes and businesses. They are the backbone of many fire and rescue services in both cities and rural areas.
Value to your workplace
On-call firefighters are highly trained professionals who can bring added value to your workplace at no cost to you.
Through their fire and rescue service training, they gain many skills which could be transferable and useful in any workplace.
These can include:
Personal skills: such as leadership, teamwork, quick thinking, problem-solving, taking responsibility, communication skills and keeping calm in difficult situations. Being a firefighter requires confidence, resilience, commitment and self-discipline.
Emergency skills: including first aid and trauma care, which will assist your business on health and safety, first aid and fire-related matters. They are trained on an on-going basis to maintain and develop these skills.
Educational qualifications and skill sets: on-call firefighters are encouraged to gain nationally recognised qualifications and to maintain up-to-date skills, appropriate to their role. These can benefit employers through improved risk management, productivity levels and motivation.
Improved fitness health and wellbeing: fire and rescue services are committed to supporting their staff in both physical and mental health, giving the employer of an on-call firefighter an employee who should be fitter and healthier in both workplaces.
Motivated, committed employees: on-call firefighters are committed to the community they serve, which means that they are more likely to be dedicated, caring and long-serving members of staff. Employees who can achieve their full potential are typically happier and more productive.
Highly trained and skilled employees: on-call firefighters must be able to deal with a whole range of situations. They never quite know what they might find when they respond to an emergency, so they are more likely to be able to cope with the ups and downs of working life.
Large Goods Vehicle Training: many on-call firefighters are trained to drive fire engines, which includes obtaining a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence. They also receive Emergency Fire Engine Driver training this is like an advanced driving test in that it raises their awareness of road conditions.
Could you release an employee to become an on-call ?
We know that releasing an employee from your workplace to become an on-call firefighter is an important decision. It could not happen without your agreement, and you need to know how it would work for you to make an informed decision and feel confident about supporting your community in this way.
It may be the case that, as an employer, you have sufficient flexibility to enable staff to be released to attend emergency incidents at any time when someone is at work. However, we do realise that some employers cannot commit to consistent hours for the release of their staff. Your local fire and rescue service will be able to discuss the alternative and flexible options available to support on-call firefighters in your employment.
For example, flexibility to enable on-call firefighters to attend scheduled training.
This guide aims to provide you with enough information to decide if this is something you could consider doing for your community.
Your local fire and rescue service is available to discuss this further if you need more information.
On-call firefighters are first and foremost your staff members, but are available (on-call), to help and protect the local community when needed.
Work-Life Balance
For most on-call firefighters, the best part of the role is combining an exciting and rewarding contribution to their community with the challenges of their primary role.
UK fire and rescue services are committed to offering on-call firefighters flexible contracts and working hours wherever possible to ensure a healthy work and life balance.
Employees get some important personal benefits too. In return for their commitment, they will:
- Be paid an annual retainer and call-out fees – Receive a wide range of training in how to problem solve, assess risk, and work systematically as part of a team and individually
- Receive first aid and trauma care training
- Can also be trained in risk assessment and health and safety
- Forge important links with the community
- Have opportunities for further educational qualifications and skill sets
Additionally….
Businesses have found that the benefits offered by allowing their staff to be on-call have far outweighed any inconvenience caused by their employee responding to an emergency.
Because on-call firefighters aren’t based at fire stations but operate on standby, they’re only called out when needed.
They are first and foremost your staff member but are available on-call for the fire and rescue service, to help and protect the local community when needed.
The impact on your business
On-call firefighters are usually only called out two or three times a week at any time of the day or night, usually for about an hour. This commitment will vary around the country.
Of course, we are unable to predict exactly how often an individual firefighter might get called out and it also depends on their hours of availability.
They can choose an on-call rota for example, during the evening, daytime or weekend. However, the system can be flexible so should a busy week at work arise, or urgent deadlines loom, then your business takes priority.
Your employee might have to rush off to attend an emergency at very short notice and contractual arrangements may need to be recorded to reflect this following current employment legislation.
The additional skills on-call firefighters bring to your workplace will make this worthwhile and what’s more, as an employer you can feel proud that you have played a vital role in making the local community safer.
There are a range of businesses both small and large across the UK who currently release employees to be on-call firefighters. These include Sainsbury, Tesco, Royal Mail, local schools, farms, local small businesses such as accountancy and solicitors, as well as county, district and local town councils and central government.
Key benefits for employers
Firefighters learn many skills in their training. Their knowledge of fire and road safety could enhance your company. It is also transferable to the workplace. Their work is vital to the safety of people and properties in the area and the support of employers allowing their staff to respond is essential.
Transferable skills
During training firefighters learn many useful skills. They learn to work well in a team, to think quickly, take responsibility and use their initiative. To communicate fast and accurately and to keep calm in a crisis.
Trained in first aid
Firefighters learn first aid to the highest standard. This will help to keep other employees safe but also contribute to legal obligations for first aid cover, cutting the cost of training.
Large goods vehicle training
Some firefighters are trained to drive LGVs. They also receive Emergency Fire Appliance Driver (EFAD) training. It is like an advanced driving test. It raises their awareness of road conditions.
Trained in manual handling
All firefighters are trained by a recognised instructor in the correct procedures for lifting or moving items. The training involves simple techniques that could prevent injuries. This may reduce time lost at work due to sickness. The training for firefighter skills includes risk assessments and fire hazards. It will help health and safety officers improve staff safety.
Motivated staff
Staff who can fulfil their ambitions and potential are usually happier and more productive in the workplace. Firefighters must be highly motivated to take on the tasks and this motivation will help them in everything they do.
Committed employees
Taking on the role of a firefighter takes commitment and energy. Committed firefighters responding from work are likely to be committed staff.
Improved health and wellbeing
Our service is committed to supporting staff in both physical and mental health. This means that on-call firefighters are fitter and healthier. Employers benefit in both workplaces.
Good publicity and local reputation for your company
The PR opportunities can be tremendous. Promoting your company’s care for its community can be very beneficial. It can encourage the workforce to know a colleague is doing something worthwhile with their employer’s support.
Trained to deal with emergencies
Firefighters are trained to deal with a whole range of situations, never knowing what they might find when responding. This helps them when dealing with the ups and downs of working life.
More information
We know it’s inconvenient when an employee has to rush off. They may be gone for a while. However, there are many benefits. As an employer, you’ll know you can make a difference.
FAQs
Do I have to release staff to attend emergencies if it doesn’t suit the company on that day?
No. Employees are only available for duty when they book on-call as available. If they say they are available, they will be expected to respond to the call. Therefore, it is essential to agree on when you can release staff before they log in as available. Your needs as the primary employer will always be a priority.
What will it cost me?
There are no direct costs to supporting an employee to be an on-call firefighter. However, there may be some indirect costs to your business. It’s up to you how you deal with the on-call firefighter absence, some employers do not pay the employee when they are absent, and others expect them to make their hours up later. For example, if you have to fill in while your employee responds to an emergency call out or attends training; we hope the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience.
Will training take place during working hours?
Most training takes place on weekday evenings and at weekends. However, initial training may be a consolidated period encompassing weekday daytimes. Any training that must be completed during business hours is planned well in advance to allow employees to make arrangements with employers.
What support is available should I have any questions?
Each on-call station has a management team who will be your point of contact and help support you through the early days of appointing your employee, as well as providing ongoing support and assistance as and when required.
What happens if my employee has been at an incident all night, will they still be in work the next day? If not, am I expected to give them paid leave?
We would not expect this to be a frequent issue, but this is something you would need to clarify with your employee before you agree to release them for on-call duty. If you don’t want to pay them for any absence due to the fire and rescue service, then that is your decision.
How long will my employee be away when called out on duty?
Typically, on-call firefighters are called out two to three hours per week, usually for about an hour (over 24hr periods, some calls may be when they are not working for you). Your local fire and rescue service can provide specific advice but essentially, it’s a flexible arrangement, depending on the needs of your business. On-call firefighters can work with the fire and rescue service to agree the cover they wish to provide. They could opt for evening, daytime or weekend cover, your employee will be able to provide you with their on-call rota. Firefighters working the on-call system agree to be available for a certain number of hours. They carry a pager or alert device and must be able to get to the fire station within a specific time following an emergency call-out during their available hours. Rest assured your needs and requirements as the primary employer will always have priority. UK fire and rescue services are committed to offering on-call firefighters flexible contracts and working hours to ensure a healthy work/life balance.
What sort of training and development will my staff undergo as part of their role as a firefighter?
All firefighters go through a rigorous training and development programme which is provided by all UK fire and rescue services. They will develop skills in risk management, communication, team working, leadership, self-discipline, first aid, trauma care, health and safety, and much more, and they will bring this training and experience back to their workplace.
How long will my employee be required to take time away from work for training?
Firefighters must be well trained if they are going to work safely and effectively in the wide range of operational incidents they have to tackle. The fire and rescue service recognises that some on-call firefighters might need to take time off from their primary employment to undertake training. UK fire and rescue services aim to keep the impact on the primary employer to a minimum by providing basic training at fire stations on drill nights and during weekends, reducing the time required for training during weekdays. However, during the first two years of employment, on-call firefighters will have to attend essential training of which some will be on weekdays.
What if my employee gets injured while at an incident?
On-call firefighters are trained to a high standard before they become fully operational, so this is a rare occurrence. In the event this does happen, the fire and rescue service offers support services to help firefighters get fit again if they do get injured. For example, local occupational health services and comprehensive physical and psychological rehabilitation arrangements with the Firefighters Charity. All firefighters undergo regular fitness and medical assessments to ensure their continual health, safety and wellbeing.
Are there any implications for me or my business as a result of employing an on-call firefighter?
Like all employers UK fire and rescue services have to comply with current legislation such as the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Working Time and Road Transport Regulations. Depending on the number of hours they are contracted to their primary employer, on-call firefighters may have to sign an Opt-Out agreement under the Working Time Regulations. If you are a haulage company or your employee drives a truck for work, both you and your employee should be aware of the implications of the EC Drivers’ Hours and Tachograph Rules for Goods Vehicles (Regulation 561/2006). Details of any legislation and its impact can be obtained from your local fire and rescue service.
What benefits do I get as an employer for releasing a member of staff to be an on-call firefighter?
The main benefits for employers are listed above. However, many find the biggest reward is the knowledge that their company is undertaking a vital role in protecting the local community. By allowing one of your employees to become an on-call firefighter you know you’ll have made a difference every time they respond to an emergency, help save lives and protect people in your community.