This is your chance to be part of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how we protect our communities. We’re launching a brand-new, state-of-the-art Control Room right here in Ipswich and we’re looking for experienced, driven professionals to help lead this bold new chapter.
At Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, we’re passionate about saving lives and serving our communities. If you share that passion, this is your moment to make a real, lasting impact. Your ideas, energy, and leadership will help us evolve and innovate like never before.
Everything we do is aimed at making Suffolk, its communities, local businesses, and visitors to our county safer. Our people are at the heart of our achievements, with our staff taking pride in being part of the SFRS family and being motivated, professional and highly skilled in whatever role they’re in within our service. As a new and exciting part of our fire family, we will be delivering a state of the art and brand new Fire Control facility based in Ipswich, and we need motivated and talented people to operate it. As the first point of contact in an emergency you will make a real difference to lives of people within Suffolk. Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service meets the risks of the county with 43 frontline fire engines spread at 35 locations across one of the largest counties in the UK. On average we mobilise fire engines to five and a half thousand incidents every year, with significant peaks during the summer period.
By joining our team you will have a unique opportunity to shape how our Fire Control operates, looks, and feels. Whether you have years of emergency control room experience or are ready for a new challenge we want to hear from you. You will find lots of resources on our website and there will be information sessions where you can meet the team. If you can’t find what your looking for, our recruitment team will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Contact them via email – sfrs.recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk.
We have found that the highest points are often given to those who use the STAR method to structure their answers.
· situation – the situation you had to deal with
· task – the task you were given to do
· action – the action you took
· result – what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience
Further guidance on this can be found at the National Careers Service page below: The STAR method | National Careers Service
All applicants will be required to complete a Medical Questionnaire which you will receive by email.
We will use the NFCC leadership Framework to score applications and assessments.
https://nfcc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf
All staff will be working to the Grey Book terms and conditions.
We are actively looking for new team members from existing Fire Control rooms.
The SFRS control room is based at Beacon House in Ipswich. Beacon House is located on Landmark Business Park, near the A14. Directions and public transport information can be found here – how-to-get-to-beacon-house (suffolk.gov.uk)
You will follow a Control Duty system. The shift pattern is based on an average of 42 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays, based on 2 days (08:00 – 18:00), 2 nights (18:00 – 08:00) followed by 4 rest days.
You will work a day duty pattern (Mon – Fri) whilst you complete your training and until the opening of the new control room (Nov 2024).
If you are applying for the control room operator roles, previous experience is not required as full training will be provided.
If you are applying for the watch manager or crew manager posts, you are required to have experience of working in a fire service control room.
If you are successful at the application stage, you will be required to complete an assessment.
For new control room operators, there will be a range of tests which will cover typing speed and accuracy, communication, comprehension and recall. You will also be required to complete a competence and behavioural based interview.
If you are applying for a transfer, you will only be required to complete an interview.
If you are applying for promotion, you will be required to complete an assessment and an interview.
You will be paid control specific salaries as agreed by the NJC.
Control Room Operators
New control room operators will be paid a trainee rate of £25,819 until the initial training period is complete. You will then be paid a development rate of £26,895.
On completion of the development phase, you will be deemed competent and paid £34,415. The development phase is anticipated to last for up to 18 months.
Current competent fire control room operators will transfer across on competent pay.
Crew Managers
You will be paid a development rate of £36,576 unless you are already recognised as a competent Crew Manager. Evidence of competency will be required from your current employer.
Watch Managers
You will be paid a development rate of £38,979 unless you are already recognised as a competent Watch Manager. Evidence of competency will be required from your current employer.
You can become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). If you are already a member of this scheme, you will be able to transfer your pension to Suffolk County Council.
