Wholetime Firefighters (Apprentice)
Location: Brigade Headquarters, Stocklake, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1BD
Salary: £28,265 - £37,675 per year (From Trainee to Fully-Qualified)
Hours: 42 hours per week, full time
Package: Firefighter Pension Scheme, good annual leave entitlement, employee benefits, Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health, onsite gym facilities
Becoming a Wholetime Firefighter
If you’re ready for a career that challenges, inspires, and makes a real difference, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is the place for you!
We’re a forward-thinking, progressive fire service built on the values of Compassion, Integrity, and Respect. We expect our team to live these values daily through behaviours that are Professional, Connected, Ambitious, and Empowering.
As a firefighter, you’ll need to be physically fit to pull ladders, run hoses and wear breathing apparatus. Just as important are personal qualities like understanding, reliability, flexibility and teamwork.
About the role
The role of a firefighter offers a rewarding, exciting and varied career. Our crews respond to a wide range of incidents, including fires, road traffic collisions, rescues, floods, and chemical spills.
When not responding to emergencies, Firefighters take an active role in the community, offering safety advice, running educational activities, and supporting campaigns.
Our Wholetime Firefighters work various shift patterns, including days, nights, and weekends. More information on our shift patterns is available on our recruitment site.
This is not just a job — it’s a chance to serve your community and be part of a team that shares your values and aspirations.
About You
We are looking for individuals who are physically fit, resilient, and able to meet the demands of a firefighter’s role. You’ll need the stamina to handle physically challenging tasks like pulling ladders, running hoses, and wearing breathing apparatus, alongside a range of personal skills such as understanding, flexibility, and teamwork.
Key qualities we value in applicants include:
* Proactive & Problem-Solving: You tackle challenges with a positive attitude and focus on finding solutions
* Community-Focused & Compassionate: You have a genuine passion for helping others and making a difference in the community
* Willingness to Learn & Improve: You are open to feedback and dedicated to growing personally and professionally
* Strong Communication & Emotional Intelligence: You communicate effectively and empathise with others, no matter the situation
* Team-Oriented & Respectful: You value collaboration, and you respect diverse perspectives, working together to achieve shared goals
* Ability to Follow Structure & Adapt: You understand the importance of following procedures but can also adapt when necessary
* Critical Thinking Under Pressure: You remain calm, make sound decisions, and act decisively in high-stress situations
Eligibility Criteria:
* Aged 18+ by 1 September 2025
* Live within 20 miles of the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes border
* Hold a full UK driving licence
* Hold GCSEs in Maths and English (A*–C / 9–4) or Level 2 Functional Skills (Basic & Key Skills Builder - BKSB). You will need to provide proof of your qualifications as part of your application process
* Able to swim
Pay and Benefits
* The Wholetime Firefighters salary is in line with National pay scales at time of advert:
* Trainee firefighter annual salary £28,265
* Rising to annual salary of £29,442 during development Firefighter (two-year apprenticeship)
* Fully qualified, competent Firefighters earns £37,675 annual salary
Other benefits include
* Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship: A fully supported pathway to becoming a qualified firefighter with a recognised qualification
* Competitive Salary and Earning Potential: In addition to a solid base salary, you can earn extra through additional shifts (subject to operational needs)
* Career Development: Access our High Potential Development Programme, which supports your growth into senior leadership roles. This tailored programme is designed to develop leadership skills, empower personal growth, and help you achieve your career aspirations while embodying our values of Integrity, Compassion, and Respect
* Specialist Training and Qualifications: Gain valuable qualifications and specialist skills, including LGV driving, boat rescue, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
* Shift Patterns: At selected stations, we offer a Day-Crewed Shift Pattern, where you work during the day at the station and are on-call from home or other accommodation during the evening. This offers greater flexibility and work-life balance, with every other weekend free from duty. Housing options are available for those who live further from the station
* Inclusive, Supportive Culture: Work in a diverse and respectful environment where every team member is valued, and personal development is encouraged
Important information
If you are either an On Call Firefighter close to obtaining competency or have already completed a Wholetime Firefighter acquisition or are working within the sector undertaking a Firefighter apprenticeship, you will be unable to apply.
If you’re currently applying for or enrolled on an apprenticeship in any other sector, please inform HR, as failing to do may affect your application.
The recruitment process
Our recruitment process is thorough, designed to find the best candidates for this rewarding and challenging role.
There are seven stages in the process, and you must successfully complete each one before moving on to the next. The stages include:
STEP 1: Online application link
STEP 2: Online Psychometric testing
STEP 3: Role related test
STEP 4: Behaviour workshop
STEP 5: Interview & presentation
STEP 6: Medicals & eyesight checks
STEP 7: DBS checks, references, kit fitting
Key dates
Closing date: 16 February 2025
Please note: If your initial online application is successful, you will be required to attend the following events.
Behaviour Workshop & Role Related Tests: 23 / 24 / 25 April 2025 (you will only be required to attend one of these dates)
Interview and Presentations: w/c 19 May 2025
Medicals / Disclosure & Barring Service: June 2025
Kit Fitting: June / July 2025
Anything else you need to know
Successful candidates will receive a formal offer of employment. Once in the role, you will complete a Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship over a two-year period.
All employees are required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
If you have any queries or concerns about this process, you will be able to reach out to our HR Department.
At Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, we inspire pride in our people by being a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive place to work. Our core values of Compassion, Integrity, and Respect guide everything we do. We are committed to embedding equality, diversity, and fairness in all aspects of our work. By upholding these principles, we ensure our staff feel valued and supported, which helps us deliver on our promise to provide an excellent, modern, and agile Fire & Rescue Service. Together, we work to protect and safeguard our community, with the right people, at the right time, and with the right skills to keep everyone safe.
If there are any adaptions or adjustments, we can make to help you in your application, or with our recruitment process, you will be able to contact HR via e-mail or telephone.
If you are currently receiving a Firefighter’s pension, please inform Human Resources before accepting an offer of employment, as Abatement Rules may apply.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
No agencies please