Senior Firefighter Adam James says Moree Fire and Rescue NSW is looking for more local people to join the brigade as paid on-call firefighters. Photo: Moree Online News.
Many people assume becoming a firefighter means leaving their day job, volunteering their time or spending years in full-time training.
Senior Firefighter Adam James says none of those assumptions are true.
Moree Fire and Rescue NSW is recruiting on-call firefighters, offering paid employment, full training and the opportunity to protect the community while continuing to work in another job.
“We’re not recruiting for permanent firefighters,” Mr James said.
“It’s a part-time job, like a second job for most people.”
The Moree station has 18 on-call firefighter positions, with around 10 currently filled. The brigade is looking to recruit more local people to strengthen its response capability.
Unlike volunteer emergency services, on-call firefighters with Fire and Rescue NSW are paid. They receive a fortnightly retainer simply for being part of the brigade, as well as hourly payments for attending incidents, training drills and authorised duties. Every incident attracts a minimum payment of 1.5 hours, even if the job itself is completed sooner.
Mr James said many people ruled themselves out before discovering what the role actually involved.
“You don’t have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger,” he said.
“You’ve just got to be physically active.”
Applicants complete a physical assessment, medical examination, cognitive testing, psychological screening and an interview before beginning training.
Once accepted, recruits undertake their initial firefighter training through the Fire and Rescue NSW Training Academy, where they learn everything from structural firefighting and hazardous materials response to basic life support and road crash rescue.
For Moree firefighters, the work often extends well beyond fighting house fires.
The station responds to structure fires, grass fires, hazardous materials incidents and road crash rescues, while also playing an active role in community education through visits to schools and preschools.
Because Moree is classified as a general land rescue station, firefighters also receive additional rescue training and use specialised equipment not available at many smaller stations.
The role is designed to fit around everyday life.
Most on-call firefighters continue in their normal employment and nominate when they are available to respond. Firefighters are required to attend at least one-third of incidents over a six-month period, along with meeting separate requirements for drills and nominated availability periods.
Mr James said the flexibility surprised many people.
“You don’t have to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
“There are times when you’re unavailable, and that’s okay.”
The brigade also provides ongoing training every fortnight, along with opportunities to participate in specialist rescue exercises, strike teams and deployments to major emergencies across the state.
For some, becoming an on-call firefighter is also the first step towards a full-time career.
Three firefighters attached to Moree have recently progressed into permanent Fire and Rescue NSW positions, demonstrating the pathway available to those wanting to pursue firefighting professionally.
Temporary Station Officer Matt Murphy, who was assisting at Moree while supporting staffing numbers, said many people underestimated both the flexibility of the role and their own ability to do it.
“Don’t be scared,” Mr Murphy said.
“People think, ‘I can’t do that.'”
He said another common misconception was that firefighters had to attend every emergency call.
While the brigade appreciated members attending whenever possible, firefighters only needed to meet the service’s minimum attendance requirements.
“It’s a commitment,” Mr Murphy said.
“But people think it’s a much bigger commitment than what it actually is.”
Asked why someone should consider joining the Moree brigade, neither firefighter hesitated.
“It’s great work, a great job, great people and a great place,” Mr Murphy said.
Applications for the current recruitment round are open through the Fire and Rescue NSW careers website.
