How long do firefighters stay at the station

The recruitment process Do you have a policy on diversity and inclusion in recruitment? How do I apply to become a wholetime firefighter? Can I send you my CV to hold on to? Will you accept my printed application form at my local fire station? What are the entry tests to join Kent Fire and Rescue Service? What fitness tests will be applied? If I am unsuccessful at any stage of the testing process can I re-sit?

What if I can't make an assessment date or the training course date? What will happen if I forget to attend an assessment or arrive late?

What will happen if I forget to bring photographic ID with me to the assessment stages? What medical grounds could I fail on? If I am appointed, how long would I have to wait until I begin my training? Can I carry on with my current job and undertake the wholetime recruitment process? Medical-related questions I would like to become a firefighter but I wear glasses or have had laser eye surgery, is that a problem?

I think I am colour blind - is this an issue? I struggle sometimes to hear things, will this be an issue? I have a disability, can I become a firefighter? What if I have a medical issue?

What if I have dyslexia? What if I have asthma? Do I have to be fit to apply? The job role What do firefighters actually do, apart from putting fires out? What salary will I receive?

Will I have to pay for my uniform? If I am successful, which fire station will I be posted to? Can I choose which fire station to work at? What initial training is provided if I am successful and is it residential?

What happens after my initial wholetime firefighter training? Are there any career prospects? Will I need to attend medical incidents and provide treatment to people? Will Kent Fire and Rescue Service be accepting any external competent firefighter transfers? Other questions Can I have a second job? Are you allowed to drink or smoke at work?

General questions I am looking for a career as a firefighter. If I become an oncall firefighter will this lead to me becoming a wholetime firefighter? Do I need to live in Kent to join the service? You have to be 18 years of age before or on the day you apply. There is no upper age limit. There is no minimum or maximum height requirement. A driving licence is desirable but not essential. What if I can't make an assessment date or the training course dates? If I am appointed, how long do I have to wait until I begin my training?

Can I continue to work in my current job and undertake the wholetime recruitment process? Near vision is currently recommended for those under 25 years old as an unaided minimum measurement of N6. Soft contact lenses silicon hydrogen lenses only are permitted and are considered safe for use on the fire ground. If you have had laser eye surgery it is currently recommended that entry to the Service should be postponed for 12 months following surgery to allow for stabilisation.

I get asked frequently if we, as firefighters, are able to sleep at the station. People also ask where do firefighters sleep? This article should answer all of your questions about firefighters sleeping at the station.

Firefighters do sometimes sleep at the station or firehouse. Stations usually are equipped with sleeping quarters, but depending on how busy the firefighters are, they may not have time to sleep while on duty.

In this article, we will take a look at all the factors that determine whether or not firefighters get to sleep while on duty, as well as how the stations are set up for sleep. You may be surprised to see how and why all these factors can make sleeping at the fire station very different, from one place to another. Your 1 priority is keeping your family safe. As a firefighter, I recommend everyone have a home safety kit that can ensure everyone you love gets out quickly and unharmed, in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Here is the Safety Kit that I recommend. Firefighters are usually given the space and time to get some rest while at work, though that can depend on a variety of factors. Most stations are built with some type of sleeping quarters and the firefighters are usually allowed to attempt to sleep at night.

I say attempt because they are obviously still expected to respond to any emergency calls and may not have any opportunities to sleep. Every crew has specific times when they are on-duty and off-duty. This schedule can vary depending on the state and local policies. There are also strict rules on time off, overtime and more. In this article, I want to go into further detail about the different schedules that exist in the fire service.

How long is the average shift and how many hours do firefighters typically work per week? I will also discuss how firefighter shift schedules impact station duties, sick leave and Kelly Days. Finally, I want to talk about what happens if there is a major incident while a firefighter is off-duty. The more that you understand about the structure of the schedule, the better prepared you will be if you become a firefighter.

Every full-time fire station in the US should have personnel on-duty at all times — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and on all major holidays. If there is a major car accident in the area, a house fire or an industrial emergency, crews must be available ASAP.

It is difficult to define a typical shift or the most recommended approach because opinions vary. Some stations like to use hour shifts where one crew stays at the station for the whole day. Others prefer to delegate hour shifts instead. City Managers and fire chiefs will still debate which is the best option because of the effect on their staffing, response times and their budgets. On the plus side, a hour shift means that the same crew members can handle checks, duties, operations and paperwork through the day.

There is plenty of time to write all the reports, carry out tasks and find time to train and study at the station. There is also the fact that some incidents can take a long time to get under control. A large fire requires care, patience and many hours of work. Stations that regularly deal with major incidents with lots of equipment may prefer the hour approach.

The shift officers let firefighters take up to 8 hours out of this working period as long as they provide appropriate sleeping arrangements at the station. Preparation — When a firefighter arrives at the station for a shift, their first priority is to check the trucks and personal protective equipment and get ready for the next call.

Although they do not fix major mechanical problems with the fire engines, the firefighters often do minor repairs. Planning and Training — Firefighters are constantly training and learning and practicing. Firefighters train as a department 3 days a week, and with their individual companies every shift. The stations and trucks are viewed as the citizens property which the firefighters are responsible for maintaining and caring for. Firefighters sweep, mop, throw out the trash, dust, wash linens and windows, and clean the fire trucks.

We also take care of small maintenance issues such as painting. Public Outreach — Firefighters often provide station tours for the public or speak at special events. These talks cover many topics such as: babysitting safety, exit drills in the home, wildfire safety, fire prevention, and using a fire extinguisher.

Physical Training — Leander firefighters must work out for 1 hour each shift.