Broken Hill needs more on-call firefighters, so if you’re over 17 with a driver licence, a good attitude, and you’re prepared to train for a physical aptitude test, this may be the exciting career opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Broken Hill Fire and Rescue On-call Captain, Chad Bergersen, gave us the low down on the job.
“We have three vacancies for on-call firefighters at central station and four vacancies available at South station,” Captain Bergersen says.
“We currently have 11 on-call and we’re capped at 14 for the main station, and at South station we have 11 on-call available and we’re capped at 15, so ideally we’d have a few more people available to assist at both stations.”
Physical fitness and a driver licence are entry requirements, but Captain Bergersen explained they’re willing to support people to get started if they demonstrate initiative.
“A licence is required but it doesn’t have to be a full licence. People can be on red Ps for a vehicle or on Ls for a motorbike, so long as they have reliable transport that gets them to the station when called to attend a fire,” he explained.
“As for fitness requirements, it’s important applicants can pass the Fire and Rescue physical aptitude test but if they can’t right now, we’ll support them to get their fitness levels up to standard so they can pass it.
“We encourage people to finish their HSC [high school certificate] but no qualifications are required as successful applicants will receive the training they need for being an on-call firefighter,” said Captain Bergersen.
On-call staff can remain in other full-time positions so there’s no expectation for applicants to jeopardise current employment to support local fire and rescue crews.
For more information, Captain Bergersen encourages people interested in becoming an on-call firefighter to call the station on 8087 2233 or drop in during business hours for a tour of central station at 248 Blende St.
For more information about the role, visit: fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=11
To check out the FRNSW fitness aptitude test, see: https://youtu.be/ddDYEjQXbVs
