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Once you get through the recruitment process you'll begin your Initial training. This will help you develop all the skills you need to become a fully-fledged Retained firefighter. But your learning won't stop there. We're constantly updating our training to ensure our Retained firefighters are some of the best prepared in the country, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to build on your knowledge.

First Steps

So, how do you go from being an ordinary member of the public to becoming a qualified Retained firefighter?

Well, assuming you pass the selection process, you'll start out by completing a nine day training course where you'll be taught basic firefighting skills such as working with ladders and hose.

We'll also teach you about equality and diversity, health and safety and auxiliary equipment and its importance to the role.

The training will involve practical tasks as well as classroom-based study, the majority of which will take place at our Training Centre in the heart of Manchester. You'll be regularly assessed along the way to make sure everything's sinking in, and if you need a bit of extra help there'll be plenty of experienced people on hand to offer you the benefit of their knowledge.

After grasping the basic skills, you'll be required to attend a further two weeks Breathing Apparatus training where you will get the chance to experience what it's like to go into a real fire. Our specially designed Fire House can recreate the searing heat, humidity, flames and thick smoke found in many house fires - but in a safe and controlled environment.

Once you have successfully passed this, you will be ready to ride out to attend fires and incidents as a Trainee RDS (Retained Duty System) Firefighter under the supervision of an experienced crew.

Last update: 13/06/2011 09:14:04