Career Pathways initiative from NFCC promotes Fire and Rescue Service roles

Career Pathways aims to better inform the public about the wide range of opportunities the fire sector provides. From front line firefighting through to crucial roles behind the scenes, the Fire and Rescue Service welcomes everyone, regardless of background, skill set or prior experience.

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan said: “The NFCC’s Career Pathways is all about giving our people real clarity and making sure everyone can see the opportunities open to them, whether that’s progressing within their current role or transforming their career by moving into a completely new area of their Fire and Rescue Service.”

Garrigan continued: “We’ve built flexibility into this product so that it can evolve with the needs of the fire sector and, most importantly, the people who make up our Fire and Rescue Services. This isn’t just about launching a resource. It’s about listening, adapting and continuously improving. I truly believe this approach will make a tangible difference to our people and, ultimately, to the communities we serve.”

Career development

Recognising that career development doesn’t always follow a linear path, the NFCC has structured these pages to emphasise flexibility and growth. Whether someone’s considering their first role in the Fire and Rescue Service or looking to enhance their current position, these pathways offer clear guidance and essential tools to aid career development.

Most importantly, these pages consistently point users to the best source for information about career opportunities most relevant to them: their local Fire and Rescue Service.

Wayne Bowcock, the NFCC’s leadership development strategic lead and CFO for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the development of the NFCC’s Career Pathways. This work has been shaped by colleagues from across the sector and also with the advice of external stakeholders with limited or no experience of the Fire and Rescue sector. It reflects a shared commitment to making career development more transparent, accessible and inclusive.”

Further, Bowcock noted: “I’m looking forward to seeing how Fire and Rescue Services embed these pathways to support their people and how new entrants in all roles use this information as part of their journey into a career with us. This approach and knowledge is intended to strengthen the sector as a whole.”

Easy access

The new NFCC Career Pathways landing page provides easy access to: 

*roles for those new to the sector, explaining essential information about starting to work in the Fire and Rescue Service 

*detailed guidance about departments and roles, helping with an understanding of the range of careers available 

*an accessible personal development planning tool 

*resources to support leadership development, thereby encouraging effective progression to leadership positions 

*engaging career journey stories shared by professionals already thriving within the sector, in turn providing real-world insights into career progression

The NFCC recognises the importance of representing diversity within the Fire and Rescue Service. The stories shared on the career journeys page demonstrate how individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences contribute uniquely to the safety and well-being of local communities.

Further information

In order to learn more, visit the NFCC Career Pathways pages or explore specific resources as follows: 

*New to the sector 

*Departments and roles 

*Personal development planning 

*Leadership development 

*Career journeys 

*Career journeys – real stories