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Careers & Training

Retained Recruitment

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Hours and Benefits

How often would I be needed?

For those in work there is often concern about - "will my employer let me have time off  if I'm called out during normal working hours?" Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service finds that most employers are flexible when they find out that one of their team is interested in joining the Service.

They can see the benefits of having an employee who has been trained by the Service in the area as a Firefighter and First Aider. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is more than pleased to answer an employer's queries and concerns

If you would like to serve your locality as a Retained Firefighter you must be at least 18 years of age, possess plenty of common sense and enthusiasm and also be prepared to attend weekly evening training sessions.

What must I do?

To become a Retained Firefighter, you must:

Working Time Directive

The Service is keen to ensure that its employees work within the Working Time Regulations.  In advising what cover you can provide please ensure that you have considered issues such as:

And that you will be fit to carry out your duties in any main employment and/or the retained cover you have committed to, building in appropriate rest periods in line with the Working Time Regulations.  Further details on the Working Time Regulations can be provided on request.

There is a total of 168 hours available a week (7 x 24 hours).

Alternate cover is generally for those people who work, or can provide cover during the week, both days and nights (not full).  Ie, shift workers or university students, housewives/househusbands.

Types of Cover

Full Cover:  This requires cover (response to call outs at all times of the night, day and weekends) to be provided 24 hours a day for 365/366 days per year.  In practice the employee must respond to at least 70% of all turnouts (see below).  This represents cover of 120 hours or more a week equalling one unit.  This cover attracts the full annual Retained Duty System fee.

Night Cover:  This requires cover (response to call outs mainly between 1800 and 0900 each evening/night including weekends) to be provided for up to 15 hours each evening/night for 365/366 days per year.  In practice the employee must respond to at least 70% of all turnouts (see below).  This represents cover of under 120 hours a week equalling 0.75 unit.  This cover attracts 75% of the full annual Retained Duty System fee.

Day Cover:  This requires cover (response to call outs during a ‘traditional’ working day including weekends) to be provided for up to 12 hours a day for 365/366 days per year.  In practice the employee must respond to at least 70% of all turnouts (see below).  This represents cover of under 120 hours a week equalling 0.75 unit.    This cover attracts 75% of the full annual Retained Duty System fee.

Alternate Cover:  This requires cover (response to call outs either day or night and weekend cover as the employees primary employment allows) to be provided in accordance with the requirements of day or night and weekend cover, as worked, for 365/366 days per year.  In practice the employee must respond to at least 70% of all turnouts (see below).  This represents cover of under 120 hours a week equalling 0.75 unit.  This cover attracts 75% of the full annual Retained Duty System fee.

Benefits and Salary

Join our team and, in return for your commitment and enthusiasm, we can offer you:

Salaries as of July 2009 (based on full cover):

Role Salary
Firefighter  
Trainee £2,116
Development £2,204
Competent £2,821
Crew Manager  
Development £2,998
Competent £3,127
Watch Manager  
Development £3,193
Competent A £3,284
Competent B £3,496