On-call firefighter pay (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/on-call-firefighter-pay)

On-call firefighter pay

The way that you're paid will depend on the station you work at.

Pay for availability

Pay for Availability (P4A) is a way of paying our on-call firefighters. The method has been developed over several years and through various trials.

Under P4A, on-call firefighters are paid by the hour for each hour they commit to be available. Depending on their personal circumstances, individuals can choose to be available for anywhere between 30 and 120 hours a week This provides a great deal of flexibility on the hours firefighters need to commit to and gives them a better work-life balance.

Your contract will be based on the number of hours you choose to commit. You will be paid an hourly rate for every hour you are available on-call depending on the time of day. Hours between 8am and 6pm on any day of the week attract a higher rate of pay.

 

Pay example one

A competent firefighter available for 100 hours per week (40 hours between 8am and 6pm and 60 hours between 6pm and 8am)
Grey
  Hourly rate * Number of hours Amount per week
Premium
8am-6pm £3.47 40 £138.80
Standard
6pm-8am £1.65 60 £99.00
Total                                          100 £237.80

Additional payments will be made for activities undertaken such as attending incidents, drill nights and training courses at an hourly rate of £17.20*.

*correct as at October 2024

 

Pay example two

A competent firefighter available for 35 hours per week, all between 8am and 6pm
Grey
  Hourly rates* Number of hours Amount per week
Premium
8am-6pm £3.47 35 £121.45
Standard
6pm-8am £1.65 0 £0
Total                                          35 £121.45

Additional payments will be made for activities undertaken such as attending incidents, drill nights and training courses at an hourly rate of £17.20*.

*correct as at October 2024

Traditional contract

On the traditional contract pay model, you’ll be paid a retaining fee for the year. You’ll receive this incrementally each month. On top of this, you’ll receive pay for any incidents, drill nights and training courses you attend too, which will also be paid to you monthly.

Your retained salary will be based on either a part-time or full-time contract.

The part-time contract is 63 hours per week.

The full-time contract is 84 hours per week.

 

Pay information

Details of the retaining fee and hourly rate
Grey
Retaining fee  (annual) Hourly rate 
Trainee rate (full time)
£2,827 £12.91
Development rate (full time)
£2,944 £13.44
Competent rate (full time)
£3,768 £17.20

Source URL: https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/on-call-firefighter-pay

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