South Wales Fire and Rescue Service launches new ‘Same skills, different roles’ campaign
This August, we’re launching our new recruitment campaign to highlight the On-Call Firefighter role and recruit for a number of our vacancies across South Wales.
On-Call Firefighters play a vital role in our organisation and make up over half of our operational workforce. They help reduce risk and keep the communities of South Wales safe. Our ‘same skills, different roles‘ campaign features several of our current On-Call Firefighters in both their primary and On-Call roles, highlighting how you can utilise your existing skills and Be More with On-Call.
Watch our new video below…
Elly is an administrative assistant for a local building company and also an On-Call Firefighter at Pontyclun Fire Station.
“I feel like a great role model for my children.”
Covid-19 had a massive impact on Elly, who had to close down her business after eight years, which left her looking for other roles to support her and her family. During this time, she successfully started her part-time role as an administrative assistant.
Elly completed a public services course in college, but after having her children, she let it pass her by. When she made the difficult decision to close her business, she looked into becoming an On-Call Firefighter.
“I floated about for about a year, not knowing what to do with myself, especially because my primary role was part time. I toyed with the idea of applying for weeks and weeks, but then finally just went for it. Best decision I made. I love it!”
Elly checked our On-Call Firefighters Page and decided to apply. After completing her application and training course, Elly is on a 42 hour a week contract and mainly covers the day shifts while her children are in school and her partner is in work. This has worked out well for Elly as she can work her primary role as an administrative assistant while serving her community.
“My boss is awesome in my primary role. It’s a family run business so I feel like I’m one of the family. She’s very supportive of me. I am on call most days whilst in the office too and she loves it when my alerter goes off. I normally go straight back to the office after a shout and pick up where I left off really. She’s super flexible so I’m very lucky.”
Lloyd is a self-employed Tree Surgeon and is fortunate that he is able to manage his time between work and family life. He has a lot of flexibility while still being able to spend quality time with his wife and children.
“I have always wanted to be a firefighter for the experience along with the camaraderie within.”
“Fortunately, I get to choose when I work on the railway line. As for family, my children and wife are very supportive with me being a firefighter. Each call is totally different to the next and ranges from people trapped in a road traffic collision to house fires to wildfires on the mountain. My family understands that some calls are more difficult than others, but are always there to support at my return.”
After seeing a post on our social media, Lloyd decided to apply and after successfully completing the training course, Lloyd is now an On-Call Firefighter at Treorchy Fire Station.
“The rota system works really well and I have a few hours off between jobs before being on-call. This gives me time to sort out what I need before the shift begins. We are a very close team at Treorchy.”
By day, Mike works full-time as an estate agent, selling homes in his local area. By night, he’s an On-Call Firefighter.
At one of his viewings, Mike met a firefighter from Abergavenny Fire Station. After the viewing, the firefighter left with a new home and Mike left wondering if he could Be More with On-Call.
“I’d thought about this for years. I’d previously sold a few houses to some of the crew from Abergavenny Fire Station, which was what alerted me to becoming an On-Call Firefighter. It seemed like an ideal role.”
“I thought I would be too old for it, but was told I wasn’t – so I applied!”
After completing his shift as an estate agent, Mike allows himself enough time to then be available for On-Call duties, as he can get to his station, Abergavenny, within 5 minutes after his alerter going off. He’s typically On-Call from 7pm until 5am, and has a supportive managing director at the estate agency who is very accommodating.
“My managing director is very supportive. I think they’re quite keen to see how we’re doing things in the community and my managing director is very pro people having things outside of work, to be good for your mental health.”
Come and join us at one of our recruitment events this august where you’ll be able to meet the crews, ask questions, see demonstrations and much more! Visit our Events Page to find an event near you.