Volunteer fire fighting in Suffolk?

[Fire Rescue 716]

I am an American serving in the USAF.  I am being transferred to RAF Lakenheath in a few months.  My current assignment has allowed me to become a volunteer fire fighter in Georgia.  I am hoping to keep volunteering in this field.  I have gained much knowledge in the field to include emergency first responder.

Can anybody tell me if there are volunteer stations in Suffolk?  And if so, what are the requirements?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
716

[Ashley Wood]

716, not 100% sure but I think Brandon in Suffolk would be your nearest fire station to Lakenheath and I believe they have retained crews. The best thing you could do is do a google with the words 'suffolk fire and rescue service', that should take you to the site where you can ask questions.

Good luck

[Fire Rescue 716]

Thank you for the information.  I may have misunderstood the definition of "retained".  Can someone please elaborate on the specifics?  It appears to me that retained man the stations by prearranged shifts.  I am not sure the Air Force would be conducive with such an arrangement.  Has anyone heard of an American servicemember serving in fire service off-base?

[AllyMacG]

Retained firefighters

Retained firefighters are an essential part of the Fire & Rescue Service which serve rural communities. They respond to pagers when an emergency call is received and must live or work within five minutes of the fire station. Clearly, flexibility is key and you will need to be either self-employed or have an employer who is supportive and willing for you to leave work at a moments notice to attend an emergency.

If you are interested in becoming a retained firefighter, contact your nearest retained station and speak to the Station Commander to discuss your availability to determine whether you would be suitable.

Source: Fire Gateway

[Fire Rescue 716]

There is no way that I would be able to leave base to respond to a page.  We use the pager system here as well and there is an understanding that if you are not available, then you simply are not available.  Would this be a problem?

[Fire Rescue 716]

Sorry, I finally got a chance to view some other posts and answered myself.  Anyone in the Suffolk or surrounding areas?  I could use some insight on the local stations.  This could very well determine which community I chose to reside.

[Chris Houston]

Please note that retained are not volunteers, they are paid.  I'm not sure the arrangements, but think they get a payment for everytime they are called.  Does this mean you might need a work permit?  I think only very remote communities such as Scottish Highlands have volunteer fire fighters.

So to answer your questions, I would suggest that there are not actually any volunteer stations in Suffolk.

[Fire Rescue 716]

Understood!  Maybe part time employment would be a better term...

Regardless, anyone with information about stations in the Suffolk/Norfolk areas?

Thanks all for the information!

[Fire Rescue 716]

I am currently a member of a "volunteer" fire department and also get paid on a per call basis.  Of course this is only if responding to fires that we extinguish.  Vehicle collisions and medical response is not paid.  At $20 per extinguished fire, I am by no means in this for the money.  I learned many years ago... To become a part of a new community, you must be involved in said community.  I don't see a better way to be involved with my neighbors!  I waited a long time for the opportunity to get into emergency services.  I would hate to have to stop just because of reassignment.  I hope to run into a few of you at least, in the near future.

[Ashley Wood]

716, see my previous post regarding Suffolk. I am based in Suffolk but no longer a fire fighter.

I believe Peterborough would be your nearest 'Volunteer' brigade, but that is about 60 miles from Lakenheath!

The retained service is always looking for day time cover as night time is well subscribed.

Good luck in your quest and enjoy your time at Lakenheath.

[Fire Rescue 716]

Thank you Wood,
I guess I will just have to wait to see what shift I will be on.  Appreciate the help!

What are the entry requirements?  Is the training "In-house"?  As in certification at the local station?  Or would I have to attend courses else where?

Just let me know if I get annoying with Q's.

[Mike Buckley]

A retained fire fighter is paid per call out and also receives an annual retainer fee for their service. There atre various rates of call out payment. If you attend the station within the specified time but you do not get on the appliance then you get one fee, if you make it on to the appliance you then get a higher fee and if you are out on a job you get the turnout fee for the first hour and then the standard hourly rate for the time you are out of the station.

You can provide different levels of cover either you can be avaialble 24 hrs a day or day time only or overnight and weekend etc. Whether you are any use depends on the needs of the local station, usually they are short of people who can provide cover during the working day.

For the entry requirements look at the Fire Gateway site and contact the local brigade.

Intial training tends to be a course at a training establishment followed up by training in the brigade.

Finally although the job is the same the way the British Fire Service operates differs from the way you are used to in the States. Even so its still a good job, good luck.

[Chris Houston]

If for any reason you do not end up working for the fire service, note that the British Red Cross may be keen to hear from you.  They do a Fire Emergency Responce scheme and help the victims of domstic fires.   They are probably more flexible about recruiting and most places struggle to get volunteers.

If you are intereted in this, let me know, I am part of the Kent and Sussex branch and can find out more about the local centre - if there is one.

[Midland Retty]

Thank you Wood,
I guess I will just have to wait to see what shift I will be on.  Appreciate the help!

What are the entry requirements?  Is the training "In-house"?  As in certification at the local station?  Or would I have to attend courses else where?

Just let me know if I get annoying with Q's.

Hi Fire Rescue 716

There is now generally a national standard when it comes to the recruitment of both full time and retained firefighters.

Traditionally retained firefighters didn't receive the same level of training as their full time colleagues. This has now largely changed and most retained and full time firefighters are trained in the same way, have to undergo the same entrance tests, interview and medical etc.

As Mike Buckley said earlier the Fire Gateway site has a lot of info on entry requirements and tests.

Beware however (and Im sure this was the case in the volunteer fire dept you are with) that stations with low staffing levels will mean that you will be expected to give as much cover as possible. That can be a hell of a commitment with little time off to pursue leisure activities etc.

Aside from training and responding to emergencies there are weekly training nights, station and equipment checks to be done weekly, and in some cases the firefighters clean their own fire stations on a roster basis.

Im sure you already know this being as you are with a volunteer crew already. I dont want to put you off joining a retained crew, but wanted to be honest with what it actually entails.

Eitherway I wish you the best of luck!

[toby14483]

Just to follow up what Retty said for you 716,

Training will be a big issue, you won't (99% sure) be able to just get straight in and ride the big red thing. They won't assume you know it all, and you will probably have to begin the training from square 1.

The full process in Derbyshire (sorry it's not Suffolk, but I can only talk about what I know) takes approx. 5 months start to finish. Thats weekend courses fdone in order to help you maintain a regular job as well as training, with the odd few full weeks for BA training.

The way it used to be, was 1 full week of training, on basic hose running and ladder drills, then you can ride. No BA training until after a year. As I say, don't know how the area you are interested in do it (I'd be interested to finding out as I'm a nosy guy anyway).

Either way, thats a lot of commintment on your part, and training expenses for the fire service, meaning they will be wanting you to commit a lot of time and years to the service. They may even want you to make your self available for 12 hours a daytime 7 days a week, which obviousy not everyone can make.

Good luck if you do decide to go for it.