Apprentice Wholetime Firefighter | 8619 | £30,384 per annum to £38,881 per annum (once competent) | Norfolk

Now recruiting Firefighters across Norfolk

Starting salary £30,384 until completion of the NFRS firefighter development pathway. Once competent salary £38,881 per annum

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service are now recruiting full time Firefighters to join the service in 2026. We are looking for people to work across all locations within the county of Norfolk which include:

Kings Lynn
Great Yarmouth
Norwich
Thetford
Urban Search and Rescue (Dereham)

As a Firefighter you will respond to emergency situations and protect people, the environment and property from all types of accidents and emergencies. You will work closely with the local community to increase fire safety awareness in order to prevent fires and accidents happening. Promoting fire safety in private, public and commercial premises, you'll act and advise on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks.

Whilst firefighters will always need to meet the physical requirements to undertake the role, the broader nature of the role means that we are also looking for a more diverse range of skills such as the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of people, team working and problem solving skills, presentation skills and leadership skills. Joining us as a firefighter opens up a range of career opportunities.

Responsibilities

The role of a Firefighter covers a diverse range of tasks, some you'll do every day while others are less frequent. The typical duties of a Firefighter are:

responding immediately and safely to emergency calls and requests for assistance;
attending emergency incidents including fires, road traffic collisions, floods, terrorist incidents, spillages of dangerous substances, and rail and air crashes;
rescuing trapped people and animals;
minimising distress and suffering, including giving first aid before ambulance crews arrive;
safeguarding your own and other people's personal safety at all times;
cleaning up and checking the site after dealing with an incident;
inspecting and maintaining the appliance (fire engine) and its equipment, checking emergency water supplies;
maintaining the level of physical fitness necessary to carry out your duties;
educating and informing the public to promote fire safety by giving talks in schools and to local organisations, as well as home visits to offer advice, etc;
maintaining links with the local community.

Working hours

As a Firefighter, hours of work typically include regular unsocial hours.

You will be assigned to a Watch where you will work a set shift pattern.

Benefits and career development

Working as a firefighter, you’ll be continually learning – lectures, exercises, equipment training, practice drills etc. Continual personal and professional development is an integral and ongoing part of the job
Our structured training and development will allow you to maximise your potential giving you the opportunity to progress into specialist areas such as protection, prevention, operational resilience or training to develop your career further
Joining a closely-knit team of people with a great sense of team spirit, you will need to demonstrate excellent team working skills
We offer a starting salary of £30,384 rising to £38,881 once fully trained

What to expect

The working environment can be challenging, and work often takes place in dangerous and unpleasant conditions: in heat and cold, at heights, in enclosed spaces, in smoke-filled buildings, in water, and in all kinds of weather conditions
You need to be physically fit. Elements of the role are physically demanding, including working in heat and working with heavy equipment
You will be working in a disciplined environment, and you will need to safely take instruction
Smart appearance is important. There are additional safety rules such as being clean shaven so that breathing apparatus can work effectively and keeping long hair tied back so it doesn’t get caught in machinery.

To find out more visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/beafirefighter

Before you apply please see the full job description and person specification in the below link – this will help you to shape your application to demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role.

Job description and person specification

When you apply, you will be asked questions to confirm your eligibility, and 3 questions relating to the role (350 words per answer). You will also be asked to upload a current CV.

Closing date for applications: 25 th August 2025 at 10:00am

Norfolk County Council

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