Careers

North West Fire Control has a number of different types of roles.

The majority of our staff work within the main control room answering 999 calls, providing support and guidance to staff and supporting ongoing incidents.  Our staff use one of the most advanced mobilising systems in the country to ensure that firefighters are dispatched speedily to any incident they are required to attend.

As a Control Room Operator

North West Fire Control is looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals who want to make a difference to people’s lives and safety. Control Room Operators at North West Fire Control mobilise fire engines and specialist response teams from the Fire and Rescue Services in Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester to life-threatening emergencies, and continue to support the incident after fire crews have arrived.

North West Fire Control is a regional emergency fire control that works closely with other blue light services and agencies covering a large geographical area to deal with a range of emergencies. The area covered includes large rural areas, urban areas and conurbations, airports and nuclear installations, not to mention a complex and busy motorway network.

The Role

Being a Control Room Operator is more than just answering calls, it’s about gathering and sharing critical information from a range of sources with emergency responders, supporting decision-making and helping to keep people safe.

The role involves working as a team to handle and support emergency 999 callers, alert fire engines and specialist teams to the location of an emergency, provide safety critical information about the scene to responding crews and sharing information with other agencies and emergency services.

Your journey with us will start with a 6 week training course where our inspiring team of dedicated and highly experienced trainers will build and develop your existing skills, while training you in all aspects of a Fire Control Room Operator role. Your journey will continue once allocated to your team where you will be supported by an equally experienced mentoring team.

We are a 24/7 365 service, you will need to be committed to work during school holidays, weekends and Bank Holidays (including Christmas Day and Boxing Day) following a shift pattern of that combines 10 and 12 hour shifts covering days (0700-1900hrs), mids (1200-2200hrs) and nights (1900-0700hrs) on a rolling 4 on 4 off basis.

The Ideal Control Room Operator will be:

An excellent communicator with exceptional listening skills.
An effective team player who can think dynamically in rapidly changing environments.
Able to work efficiently and independently to receive, record, and manage data accurately.
Able to remain calm in emotionally challenging situations.
Literate and numerate.
Keen to develop their own learning and support the learning of others.
Prepared to be flexible (with notice) with their working pattern.
Excellent at navigating a keyboard (applicants will be tested for speed, accuracy, and spelling)
At least 18 years old at the time you apply – Essential.
Skilled in ICT work and familiar with a variety of software applications including Microsoft Office

Salary

The salary increases as you develop within the role.
• £26070.74 rising to £26597.87.78 after 6 week training course
• £28970.64 after completion of Phase 2 training package (average 12 month completion)
• £31513.64 after completion of Phase 3 training package (average 24 months completion)

What we can offer you

• Generous local government pension scheme
• 29 days annual leave pro rata
• Opportunities to work voluntary overtime when required.
• Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days, Mental Health First Aiders, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, coaching, mentoring and on job experience.
• Free Uniform
• Free onsite parking

Assessment Overview

Stage 1
Application form / CV (sift). Candidates are shortlisted and invited to stage 2.

Stage 2
Online audio and speed typing tests. Successful candidates will be invited to stage 3.

Stage 3
Interview. The interview consists of a face to face to discussion. The format will be a series of questions about your experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and values we are looking for.

You will need to achieve a successful standard at each stage in order to progress to the next part of the process.

 

All roles is subject to a Standard Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Whilst completing your application it is essential that you read each question carefully to ensure that you are responding exactly as you would like. You should also ensure that you answer all questions before submitting your response. Failure to answer all questions may result in your application being unsuccessful.