The Control Centre is permanently staffed 24/7 365 days a year, there are four watches (Blue, Green, Red and White) comprising of 4 personnel on each watch. Each watch works a 2-2-4 rota system consisting of 2 x 10 hour day shifts and 2 x 14 hour night shifts. The shifts changeover at 0800 and 1800.

The watches consist of a Senior Fire Control Operator in charge of the watch, a deputy (Leading Fire Control Operator) and 2 Fire Control Operators.

Successful candidate(s) following aptitude and practical tests will undergo the initial Fire Control Operator recruit course which lasts for 4 weeks whereupon successful completion the recruit(s) is allocated a watch. Continuous assessments are carried out in order that the recruit(s) successfully complete the 12 month probation period.

For the period April 2005 to March 2006 Shropshire Fire Control handled almost 10,000 emergency calls. The incidents range from Property Fires (Domestic and Commercial) to Road Traffic Collisions, Animal Rescues and Water Rescues to name but a few.

Fire Control staff also carry out numerous administration functions to ensure the smooth running of the Brigade, including Fire Report collating, sickness reporting and training nominations. They also provide out of hours switchboard cover evenings after 1700 and all weekend.

No formal qualifications are required to become a Fire Control Operator and vacancies are advertised on this website and in the local press.

  Control Operator Vacancies