Wholetime Firefighter

Salary: £31,539 - £40,358 per annum

• Superb Pension Schemes available
• Health and wellbeing support
• Gym and parking facilities

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is inviting applications for Wholetime Firefighters through our Apprenticeship Programme. An exciting opportunity to begin a challenging, fulfilling and rewarding career serving your community.

Being a Firefighter is about much more than responding to emergencies. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, from attending incidents and protecting people in times of need, to delivering fire safety advice, supporting vulnerable residents, and engaging with local communities through educational events, campaigns and outreach activities.

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ firefighter. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life. We are all united by a shared commitment to making Berkshire safer.

We believe that talent, potential and determination can come from anywhere. Whether you are starting your career, returning to work after a break, or looking for a completely new direction later in life, we encourage you to consider a future with us. The apprenticeship route is open to those who are new to the firefighter role and ready to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.

Appointing the right people is vital to helping us achieve our vision for the future. We assess all applicants against the same standards, and all recruitment decisions are made fairly and based on merit. If you would like to find out more about life in the Service, you can read first hand experiences from our firefighters and staff on our website.

If you're looking for a career with purpose, challenge and the opportunity to make a real difference every day, we would love to hear from you.

Our recruitment opens on Tuesday 7, July 2026 at 1:00pm with the initial application stage closing on Monday, 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm.

Please note we will not have a cap on the number of applications available this year however 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.

Please note that for this campaign we have restricted applications to individuals who live within a 40-mile radius of the centre of Reading. This enables everyone within Berkshire and some surrounding areas to apply. Please see the attached campaign booklet for eligible postcodes. You will need to provide evidence that you reside at the address provided during the initial application later within the recruitment process.

Applicants must also be 17 and six months or over at the point of application.

We invite all candidates to read the attached campaign booklet before applying. This document has been written to provide you with the details of each stage of the recruitment process for a Wholetime firefighter. It is important to know how you will be assessed and what you can expect at each stage.

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 check before starting in role.

Please find attached the Wholetime Firefighter job profile, Supporting Statement Guidance, a frequently answered questions document and the anticipated timeline for each stage of the process, you can also find more information on our website rbfrs.co.uk.

All of the information required to apply to become a Wholetime Firefighter 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 refer to the FAQ document first.

Please note that 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: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.