Firefighter : Career development

Most members of the fire and rescue service start as firefighters and gain front-line experience. This means that every new recruit has a chance of promotion, even to the most senior posts. Promotion is earned on individual merit and is subject to demonstrating competence in each role and showing evidence of potential through attendance at assessment and development centres.

There is a well-structured career path, which gives real responsibility at an early stage. For those who want promotion, career development typically runs along the following lines:

• firefighter;
• crew manager;
• watch manager;
• station manager;
• group manager;
• area manager;
• brigade manager.

The fire and rescue service is currently piloting a fast track scheme to help outstanding people reach their full potential. The scheme is currently being trialled by 13 fire and rescue services and is open to a small number of trainee firefighters as well as current operational staff. The aim of the scheme is to provide an intensive development programme that helps candidates reach station manager level within about four years. See Ordinary People, Extraordinary Career  for more details. Beyond the level of station manager, it is often necessary to move between services to gain promotion.

It is also possible to specialise in a particular area of the fire and rescue service and there are opportunities to study for a foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate degree in areas such as fire and risk management, fire engineering, fire safety engineering, fire and leadership, and disaster management.

Other possible opportunities include study for membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) , for those involved in fire safety and prevention work, or study for a general postgraduate management qualification.