Emergencies occur in many forms and often out of the blue, as we know to our cost. For this post you would need to be able to keep your head when they arise and respond quickly. Fire Control operators are trained to deal with any incident – not only those involving fire – and to cope with often distressed and panicky callers in a calm and controlled manner. They are based in county, metropolitan and unitary authorities.

Work Environment

This is often the command and control centre based in the headquarters of the fire and rescue service. The environment is likely to be spacious, air conditioned and highly secure - with advanced computerised mobilising, communications and radio equipment.
From here, the control staff is on 24-hour watch ready to bring every one of the authority’s many fire stations into action when required. The work is often stressful, but you will be trained to deal with it.

The standard working pattern is a 42 hour week shift system which may consist of 9 hour day duties and 15 hour night duties. The rota cycle may be 2 day duties followed by 2 night duties and 4 leave days. This includes weekends and public holidays. A smart uniform is provided. Part-time working is sometimes possible.

Daily Activities

Fire control operators share the responsibility for protecting a great many people who live within the council’s remit and may respond to many thousands of emergency calls in an average year. Apart from the firefighters themselves, any operator can all into action equipment capable of dealing not only with fire emergencies, but also road accidents, cliff and cave rescues, incidents involving hazardous materials such as chemical spillage on roads, air, rail and sea incidents as well as rescuing animals in distress - cats caught up trees, dogs which have fallen down old wells. On a daily basis this will entail liaising with police, ambulance, motoring organisations, lifeboat teams and other authorities.

In addition, operators will have to ensure that all statistical information is collated and processed from each incident attended and undertake other general administrative work. There is also an important public relations aspect to the job. Operators will be expected to attend exhibitions, county shows, Fire Station open days, careers conventions and receive visits from dignitaries, local groups and other members of the public. They will have to deal with press enquiries, too.

Skills & Interests

To do this job well you would need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• the ability to cope with repetitive work
• the ability to respond to changing demands quickly
• common sense
• no hearing defects
• good health
• stamina
• the ability to concentrate and not be distracted
• the capacity to cope with stressful situations and work under pressure
• self discipline
• clear speech.

Because this is a post that involves dealing with matters of life or death, you would also need to be tactful, calm, polite, alert, patient, confident, methodical, responsible and reliable.

Entry Requirements

It is essential that you have a sound education, including at least GCSE English Grade C, keyboard skills and proven experience of working and coping with stress.

During a two-year probationary period, training and development follows a programme at NVQ level 3. This will require some private study.

Estimated salary range

£14,000 – £17,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Vocational training and courses to advance career prospects and improve individual skills are encouraged.

Through statutory examination boards and promotion interviews, operators have the opportunity to apply for promotion through the rank structure. There are posts as Group, Senior and Leading Fire Control Operators to aim for - though career progression cannot be assured.

Related Occupations