Whats it really like day to day?

[labayu]

I've applied to Dorset and if that doesn't come through then I'll apply to hertfordshire when they advertise (which I've heard will be sometime between Oct-Feb).

I've just been browsing the forum and it seems that the job is getting worse rather than better. Maybe I should have expected it with the well known balls up the gvt have done with the Police, teachers, nurses and anything else they control.

So what is it like day to day. What a working day/night looks like. One post I read said they did leaflting quite a bit?!?

Especially intrested to hear specifically about Dorset or Herts but would be grateful for any input.

Thanks

[swisstimmy]

Well its different in most brigades. In ours we put up smoke alarms and give home fire safety info. We also have a stupid A4 ring binder for recording training which is a pain in the arse and time consuming. I am on a small watch of 7 so its nice and simple we get on well and our Sub is great he's old skool and not swallowed the pill. Its still a good job, there is still alot of uncertainty, but its still worth joining. On nights we do same as days but tend to stand down from 9 and still have beds sleeping from midnight 'til seven. We are in an area of social deprivation so get plenty of house, cars and high rise fires. I am despondent but still wouldn't change jobs for the world.
I hope you are successfull.

[Nearlybaldandgrey]

The service has experienced alot of change since our fallout with the government ...... some good, some bad.

More time is given to community safety work ..... the home fire safety checks, which are carried out following a leaflet drop to inform residents that crews will be in the area on a certain date. (means we're not cold calling!)

Training still has to be undertaken, equipment checks, tests and inspections  ...... and responding to incidents.

I will not call the A4 ring binder "Stupid" as our colleague has. There are alot of Athorities working toward NVQ's and, as part of being a trainee firefighter or obtaining an NVQ, evidence has to be gathered to prove competence, hence the training records, which, I will point out, are a requirement of Health and Safety (and may be used as evidence should you have an accident)

I have a long time in and have seen many changes during that time.

It is still the best job I have ever worked in terms of the comradeship, the routine and not knowing what will come next. It definately beats standing at a mchine for 8 hours doing some repetitive task over and over!!

My advice is to not pay too much attention to some of the rumours and hearsay. There is a morale problem and personnel feel down about alot of things. Form you own opinions and I wish you good luck with the application.

[Andy Cole]

All you need do is look at how many people want to join?

I believe recently Lancashire only had their application hotline open for a few hours having anticipated it being open for a week because they recieved so many enquiries and sent out so meny forms!!

Does anybody know, as a matter of General Interest!, how many Dorset intend to recruit?

[Cut Fire Service Pay]

Its true that hundreds of people apply for one vacancy but most have an old fashion view of what being a firefighter is all about. Sure the job is great but there is a massive morale problem not caused by the unions but by Chief fire officers and management teams. Its quite rare these days that you get a chance to do 'the job'.

Big fires are few and far between and when they do occur you are normaly prevented from getting stuck in anyhow. Fire safety now takes priority over training and PQAs are the new wonder words that we all must learn.

As for the A4 ring binders, 100% correct, they are pointless. in this computer age we have to use binders? IPDS/NVQ is a waste of time. I gave up on NVQ after never being able to get anything assessed. As did most of my old watch. When I was still LAFB we had a lad transfer in with all his IPDS ect.. he had to go back on 'development' pay for ages for no real reason, as a result he nearly left! He was eventualy given his competent pay back after intervention from the union.

Its still a good job to join but the gulf between Ffs & managers is huge and getting bigger but then if you are just starting then you won't know anything else.

[wee brian]

As a non fire fighter that spends a lot of time talking to them - its a great job.

You will hear a lot of them going on about "the good old days" but this applies to all walks of life.