Training and on-going development

Induction Training

Join us at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) you’ll become a part of a professional and reputable organisation, which provides many benefits to all staff and volunteers.

The first stage of training consists of a full induction into the service over a two day period, usually a Friday and a Saturday.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know before you sign up to volunteer with us; from meeting our existing volunteers, listening to guest speakers and seeing first hand some of the activities that our volunteers get involved in. Our inductions are designed to be interesting, fun and informative.

As part of your induction, you will meet many people within the organisation who will give you an insight on what it is like to work and volunteer for GMFRS.

If you are unable to make the induction training you will be placed on a waiting list until the next available date, which will be over three months away so please try to attend these days.

Over the two days you are assessed to make sure you share the same values of us, which include: respect, honesty, inclusivity, excellence and professionalism.

What next?

Once you’ve successfully completed this training we just need to wait for the following clearance and checks.

• DBS – this is only if it is needed for the role you have applied for. Please remember having a criminal record may not necessarily exclude you from being a volunteer.

• Medical – we need to ensure you are fit enough to do the activities we are asking you to on our behalf. In some instances medical questionnaires may be sent out for you to complete.

• References – for all our volunteers we will require two references. These could be from an employer, academic representatives or a character reference from someone who knows you well.

Local induction

Once all the checks are complete, you will be invited to your local fire station to meet your volunteer coordinator who will go through all the practical side of things, for example how to log on to our volunteer system called DutySheet and how to choose and book on to an activity.

You will also be given an ID badge to wear so you can be clearly identified as part of GMFRS.

Once you have undertaken a number of volunteering roles, normally within the first three months you will receive a full uniform.

On-going training

During your time as a GMFRS volunteer we will offer you a number of training opportunities, such as:

• Fire Safety in the home

• Mental Health First Aid

• Kitchen Fire Safety Unit (how to operate)

• Driving Simulator (how to operate)

• Wrap & Protect training

• Drill Yard (for Cadet Instructors)

• Post Incident Team

• Survival Academy (Lifesaving skills including CPR and AED training)

• Train the trainer – Survival Academy

These course are ran throughout the year and you will be invited to book on. Depending on your role within the service, some of these will be mandatory.

On-going development and support

On a regular basis you will meet with your volunteer coordinator and have a one-to-one meeting with them every six months. This meeting is an opportunity for you to discuss what you would like to do, how you would like to progress and anything else you may want to speak about.

We hope this all sounds exciting and you want to get involved, so why not apply now and become part of the largest Fire and Rescue Service volunteer team in the country?