Competent Wholetime Firefighter Transfers

Salary: £38,881 per annum

Superb Pension Schemes available

Health and wellbeing support

Gym and parking facilities

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are seeking Competent Firefighters to transfer in a Wholetime Firefighting capacity to join us in this challenging and highly rewarding career, within our progressive and supportive Service.  

The role of a Firefighter is varied and as well as responding to a range of incidents, it includes providing fire safety advice and engaging with local communities, through safety advice events, education activities and campaigns.

There isn’t one stereotypical Firefighter and we’re keen to encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our highly skilled teams. Our #OneTeamForBerkshire campaign highlights the diversity of both people and roles within the Service, all working to serve the people of Royal Berkshire. Appointing the right people is essential in helping us to achieve our goals for the future. You can also read the experiences of some of our staff on the website.

To be eligible to apply you must be competent in the role of Firefighter and working in the Wholetime duty systems of UK Fire and Rescue Services.

You will need to provide evidence of your competent status as part of the application process. Please see the attached Evidence of Operational Competence Guidance on what you will need to provide. This information must be submitted with your application prior to the deadline.

ERD / LGV driving qualifications are desirable and may be taken into account in making final selection decisions.

If you are successful and accept a role within RBFRS, this will likely be in the East of our county. The Service will not support a transfer for 24 months following appointment.

Recruitment opened at 9am on Wednesday 21 January 2026 and the initial application stage will close on Sunday, 8 February at 11:59pm.

You will be required to submit a supporting statement within your online application form, so please allow yourself time to complete this. Please complete your application before the deadline to avoid disappointment. It is important you only apply once, as multiple applications will not be counted.

If you make an error in your application please contact us, rather than applying again.

To apply, please access the online application at by clicking Apply now

Please note we are only accepting applications via the web address published above.  Therefore please do not sent any CVs or other application forms to Royal Berkshire Fire and Service as these will not be accepted. 

Successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS (with Barred Child) check before starting in role.

Please find attached the Wholetime Firefighter job profile, Supporting Statement Guidance, Evidence of Operational Competence Guidance and the anticipated timelines for each stage of the process, you can also find more information on our website.

Following appointment, the Transferee Conversion Course is Anticipated to take place between Monday, 8 June and Friday, 26 June (Subject to change, Monday to Friday only) with our Learning and Development team at our Learning and Development Centre.

The Learning and Development Centre is at Whitley Wood Fire Station, 270 Whitley Wood Road, Whitley, Reading, RG2 8FS. In order to apply you must be able to attend the full course on these dates.

All of the information required to apply is contained within this advert and supporting documents, however if you have any additional queries, please contact us via email at recruitment@rbfrs.co.uk.

Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Further information on Annual Allowance can be obtained from our Pensions team

Please view our privacy notice via this link: Applicant Privacy Statement.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity.  All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more, visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement via this link.