County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service

Our People – Meet Vehicle Body and Equipment Technician Emily Tokell 👋 If you ever see one of our fire engines out in the community, it’s likely that Emily Tokell has worked hard to make it road ready. 🚒🚒 The 23-year-old is the Service’s Vehicle Body and Equipment Technician who helps to maintain our fleet of engines and vehicles to ensure they can respond to an incident. Emily, from Seaham, joined the Service three years ago as an apprentice Damage Panel Technician and secured her current role earlier this year. 💬“From leaving school I’ve always worked,” Emily said. “I started off in a local takeaway whilst doing a football scholarship with Sunderland AFC. “Soon after I went to work at The Range whilst I thought about what I wanted to do as a full-time career. “I then applied for the Level 3 Damage Panel with CDDFRS and am very proud to have completed it and then be offered a full-time position with the Service. “I’ve always wanted to have a hands-on type of job, so my role is ideal it sees me complete a variety of jobs - from painting to repair and maintenance of the fleet.” Emily, who enjoys playing football for Seaham Coast in her spare time, said she is always proud to see the fire engines she maintains out helping people in the community. 🩷 💬 “Working for the Service is like being part of a big family,” she said. “I’ve always felt a real sense of pride for working for CDDFRS, so I hope to have a long-term career with the Service. “I live in County Durham, so I get to appreciate any work I’ve done when I see any of our fleet helping the community!” 👏🫶

🚨Our apprentice firefighter recruitment has now CLOSED. 🚨 Hundreds of people applied for the role and we want to thank everyone who submitted an application for this incredible opportunity. Now the expressions of interest phase has finished, successful candidates will move on to the next stage of the recruitment process - see below. 👇 Online assessments 👇 Role related tests 👇 Interview 👇 Fitness test 👇 Medical 👇 References and checks Keep an eye out on your emails in the coming weeks as we will be in touch to inform successful candidates of key dates for assessments. 👀 By May 2025 we’ll be welcoming the new recruits through our doors to begin their training. We wish everyone the very best of luck! 🧑🚒 If you missed your chance to apply or are unable to commit to a full time role, we're still actively recruiting for on-call firefighters. 🧑🚒 Full details are on our website.

🚨 Our apprentice firefighter recruitment closes at at 11.59pm tonight! 🚨 Want to know more about what the job is really like? Here, Firefighter Jess Tucker shares her experience on joining the Service. 👇 A desk job wasn’t an option for Darlington Firefighter Jess Tucker. After deciding that spending years studying at university didn’t appeal, she looked at other options and came across our firefighter apprenticeship scheme. Jess, from Middlesborough, applied for the course and in 2022 joined the Service on Apprentice Cohort 6. 🧑🚒 💬 “I just wanted a job that was different every day,” she said. “I couldn’t have a sit-down job as I need to keep busy and do different things.” A year later, Jess passed out as an apprentice firefighter in front of her family and friends and is now enjoying life on Green Watch at Darlington Fire Station. 💬 “I enjoy the variety and the fact that you never know what you are going to be doing next,” she said. “It is great to be able to help people in their time of need. “My family and friends are so proud of me for becoming a firefighter. “None of them are in the fire service and they knew how much I wanted it, so my pass out parade was a great day where I got to celebrate with them.” The fitness side of the role was a huge draw for the 22-year-old who enjoys running, boxing and going to the gym in her spare time.  🏋️♀️  💬 “I am so lucky to be able to train in the gym every day at work and I love being part of a crew – it is like having another family,” Jess said. “You spend two days and two nights with them, so you go to the gym together and do everything together.” Jess, who worked in a restaurant before joining the Service, said she loved the practical side of the apprenticeship. 🚒 💬 “There is a lot to take on, but it is worth it in the end,” she said. “I liked all the practical training and really enjoyed the Breathing Apparatus (BA) training. “The station rotation part of the course, where you spend time working on different stations, was also useful as it enabled me to meet lots of people. “I would say to anyone thinking about joining the Service to just go for it!” 🚒 Our Service is seeking new recruits to join the 38-month-long firefighter apprenticeship scheme. 🚒 To register your interest and start your recruitment journey, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/eqNdJ2YP

🚨 Our firefighter apprentice recruitment closes at at 11.59pm on Sunday, November 24! 🚨 Want to know more about what the job is really like? Apprentice Firefighter Adam Barrass has shared his story on how joining the Service was the best decision he has ever made.🧑🚒👇 Hearing the incredible stories of retired firefighters inspired former footballer Adam Barrass to join the Service. The 27-year-old from Easington Lane joined our firefighter apprenticeship scheme on Cohort 7 in 2023 and is now working on stations across County Durham and Darlington. 🚒 💬 “I came back home after playing football in Malta and worked for MRS Rescue carrying out confined space rescue training and teaching first aid,” Adam said. “There were a few retired firefighters working there and that sparked my interest in a career in the fire service. “Just hearing them talk about the job made me want to get into it.” Adam, who also worked as a bricklayer, embarked on his apprenticeship with the Service a year later and hasn’t looked back. 🧑🚒 💬 “You are straight into the training from the off and when you start work on station you jump straight into the job which made it better than I thought it was going to be," Adam said. In February this year, Adam passed out as a firefighter in front of his proud family and friends. Adam is now working on different fire stations across the Service and is currently based at Seaham Fire Station. “My first job was to someone’s house that had flooded and on the same day I was called out to a road traffic collision (RTC)," he said. “You never know what you are going to get when you come into work and for me that variety is the best part of the job.” Adam hopes his experience will encourage anyone thinking about becoming a firefighter to apply for the Service apprenticeship scheme which is now recruiting the next generation of firefighters. 💬 “I would tell anyone considering applying to be a firefighter to go for it,” he said. “It was the easiest decision that I have ever made and I am so happy I did it. “The training flies over and before you know it, you’re actually out on station doing the job. “Take the opportunity because you won’t regret it.” 🚒 Our Service is seeking new recruits to join the 38-month-long firefighter apprenticeship scheme. 🚒 To register your interest and start your recruitment journey, click the link below:

We’ve just returned from an inspiring visit to Darlington Fire Station, part of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, where we got an in-depth look at their facilities and the vital work they do. Firefighters and management warmly welcomed us, sharing insights into their roles, experiences, and the pride of serving their community. Highlights of the day included Sophie and Abdul enthusiastically taking part in drills, wearing firefighter gear, and even sitting in the 🚒 - an unforgettable experience! 😅 Recruitment for the Firefighter Apprenticeships is still open until 24th November 👉🏾https://lnkd.in/eAaWGtY8 ), but this visit was also intended to help our community members understand the diverse career opportunities within the fire service - not just as firefighters but in other essential roles. Thank you Dave, Holly, Billy (Station Manager), Julia, Cheryl, Ben Cairns (Director), Sophie and others for welcoming us and taking the time to explain everything and also answer all of our questions. We are proud to partner with County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, working together to create pathways for community engagement and careers in public service. … #Teakisi #Partnership #Community #InclusiveRecruitment #CDDFRS #DarlingFireServices #Careers #ApplyNow #Recruitment #MarginalisedCommunities #GlobalMajority #RepresentationMatters #Firefighters #BAME #Teakisi #CountyDurham #Darlington #Collaboration

Ben Hudson followed in his dad’s footsteps when joined the fire service as an apprentice firefighter. 👨🚒 The former Tesco worker and gym instructor from Shotton knew that he wanted a career where he could help people and make a difference in his community. Inspired by his dad, Peterlee Firefighter Clive Hudson, the 22-year-old applied for the apprenticeship with our Service last year. Now he’s working on stations across the Service and is currently based in Darlington, where he’s putting his training into practice. 🗨 “I grew up listening to my dad speaking really highly of being a firefighter,” Ben said. “I’ve always been really proud of him and now he is proud of me getting into the Service and doing the same job as him. “It’s really nice and like the passing of the baton.” ❤️ During his training, Ben loved learning how to use the Breathing Apparatus (BA) and how to carry out trauma care. And in February this year, Ben enjoyed a proud day when he Passed Out as an apprentice firefighter in front of his family. His advice on those looking to become an apprentice firefighter? 🗨 “Be yourself,” he said. “You might think there’s a persona that people expect from you as a firefighter, but everyone has a different personality, so you are not going to be expected to be someone that you’re not. “I would also say don’t give up if you don’t get in the first time. “If you get knocked back after the first hurdle, don’t let it set you back. "Give it another go. “I didn’t get in the first time and I am so thankful that I applied again as it has been the best experience. “If it is something you are passionate about – go for it!” 🚒 Our Service is seeking new recruits to join the 38-month-long firefighter apprenticeship scheme. 🚒 To register your interest and start your recruitment journey, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/eqNdJ2YP

🤝 Our Service is excited to announce that we have partnered with North East social enterprise Teakisi. Together, we are on a joint mission to help attract candidates from minoritised communities to apply for our current firefighter apprenticeship programme and help build on our inclusive workforce policies. 🗨️Chief Fire Officer, Steve Helps said: “As a Service, we really value diversity. “A diverse team brings with it diversity of thought - people with different backgrounds, cultures and lived-in experiences offer a fresh perspective, helping foster creativity and innovation.” He added: “Already, our work with Teakisi has helped open our eyes to the fact many people from minoritised backgrounds don’t feel connected or engaged with the fire service, therefore, miss out on the opportunity of the career of a lifetime - being a firefighter. “We truly do strive to become a Service that reflects all members of its community, and that’s why we’ve sought the expert guidance of Teakisi. “This partnership is about more than just assisting us recruit a more diverse next generation of firefighters, it’s about helping us become the best Service we can be and ensuring we can serve everyone in our communities.” Salha Kaitesi is the founder of Teakisi. 🗨️Looking forward to working with the Service, she said: "Teakisi is pleased to join forces with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service in supporting greater diversity and representation within the fire service. “Our mission is to help bridge the gap, ensuring that opportunities are open and welcoming to all, particularly for candidates from minoritised communities. “Together, we’re not only focused on recruitment but on building a workplace that genuinely reflects and serves the whole community, inspiring a new generation of firefighters who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences to this vital role.” We are currently recruiting the next generation of firefighters And we are hosting two positive action events, on the dates below 👇 Bishop Aukland Fire Station – November 9 – 10.30am – 12pm Bishop Aukland Fire Station – November 19 – 6.30pm – 8pm These taster sessions are open to women and people who identify as black, ethnic minority or Asian. To book your slot, please email humanresources@ddfire.gov.uk. We want to remind people that the aim of positive action events is not to take opportunities away from others but to level the playing field. These events are a safe place for people from minorities groups who often do not apply for roles within the fire service to come and talk to representatives about issues that may be specific to them. A number of support sessions that are open to all have also been planned. Full details on our website. If you already know this is the career for you, then register your interest today: https://lnkd.in/eqNdJ2YP

Be who they call upon. Become a firefighter. Our award-winning apprenticeship programme focused on training the firefighters of the future is now open to expressions of interest. The 38-month-long programme will see recruits learn on the job while completing two level three qualifications in Community Safety and Operational Firefighting. Want to learn more? Keep checking back as over the next month we’ll be sharing the stories of former and current apprentices as they offer their top tips to get through recruitment and give you a behind the scenes glimpse at life on station. 💻We’ll also be sharing information on taster and information sessions. To register your interest and start your recruitment journey, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/eqNdJ2YP

Our award winning Firefighter Apprenticeship opens again in just one week on October 25th at 10am. Are you ready to take your place? Check back next week for full details and information on how to apply.

Dreading going to work tomorrow? We might just have the job for you! We're currently looking to appoint a new part time (18.5 hours per week) Creative Content Officer. The successful candidate will ensure we push the boundaries of design, helping us create content that makes people wake up and pay attention. In exchange for your hard work, we offer: 🏠Hybrid working – split your time between our Service HQ in Belmont, Durham, and the rest of the week working from home 💸An annual salary of up to £15,682 - that will soon be subject to an additional pay award ✈️27 days holiday - rising to 32 after five years' service PLUS Bank Holidays (holidays calculated on a pro rata basis) 💪Free on-site gyms (Firefighter approved) 💰Pension scheme 🚗Free secure car park (and there's always spaces too!) 👩⚕️Access to free private health care As this is a part time role, we’re committed to being a flexible employer and are happy to create a working schedule that meets the 18.5 hours of work each week. We also know this could potentially suit a freelance graphic designer or small business owner and support applications from people looking to compliment their current working hours. If successful, any other form of employment would need to declared to ensure no conflicts of interest would arise. For further information and to view the full job description, visit North East Jobs 👇 https://lnkd.in/eJQMREka To apply, download the application pack from North East Jobs and send to our HR team 💻