Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is set to recruit new fire control operators as applications open on Friday, May 17

The successful applicants will provide a vital service to the community by taking 999 calls, gathering information, making decisions and providing support to fire crews on the ground.

Marie Pook, station manager control, said: “A role as a fire control operator is both challenging and highly rewarding, as we all strive to be the best that we can be.

“By joining us in control, you could be a voice of calm and reassurance to someone in their time of need and make a real difference every single day.”

Based at Lansdown, near Bath, fire control operators mobilise resources, identify exact locations of incidents and provide safety advice to callers, such as people who might be trapped inside a burning building, and then continue to reassure callers until the moment firefighters arrive on the scene.

Highly trained, the successful candidates will also manage operational resources and incidents within AF&RS while liaising with other services and agencies. They will also be trained in responding to a wide variety of specialist incidents, including chemical, radiological, biological and nuclear incidents alongside crews.

The service is looking for applicants who have a range of skills and experience which they can bring to the role. Successful candidates also need to be aligned with the AF&RS values of respect, honesty, courageousness, ambition, inclusivity, and transparency.

Applications will be open from May 17 until noon on June 7 and applicants must be aged over 18 when training school commences in September 2024.  Applicants need to have a full driving license or must be willing to gain this within a two-year probationary period.

Beginning with the application form, hopeful applicants should have a strong ability to work in a team, have effective communication skills, an ability to remain calm under pressure, be a good problem solver and also have good attention to detail. Candidates should also have experience working with Microsoft packages/IT systems.

There will also be a series of tests including memory recall, typing, numeracy and practical.

Successful candidates will receive full training, with remuneration after completion of training, and a further pay increase upon becoming fully competent in the role.