Questions to rafp or raf firefighters

[o.j.m]

Hello everyone please be gentle im new....

I am interested in the trade of raf firefighter and am finding it difficult in gainning information on this trade. I have looked on there website, been to afco and before anyone says it a searched on here.
I ask for the rafp input because i am guessing that you guys may work in conjuction with the fireservice. But may be wrong on this.
Afco painted a verry nice picture of pti's and regiment but didn't say alot about the trade i am looking at. I have been told by an ex raf chef how said don't join as a firefighter they do nothing but play volley ball all day, and i will leave with no relevant qualifications atall...

Sorry if this is long winded i would just like to get information on the duties and day to day life of this trade.........



Roll on the jokes about playing with hose's...

[Flintham Block1]

RAF firemen have a very specialised role in that they have to deal with aircraft fires and the added dangers that come with that (Ie explosives, ammunition etc) that can be on/attached to the aircraft. I can not tell you what qualifications you will leave with best talking to a firefighter. The comments from the chef friend are very streotypical and a bit of a standing joke in the RAF about firemen and volley ball. Needless to say we don't have aircraft fires every day, but the fireman carry out a number of other routine tasks. I worked with two Cpl RAF Firefighters on Op Fresco (firemans strike) as they commanded our BA crews and found them to be both very proffessional and very knowledgeable. RAF Firefighters in general are a good bunch of lads (and lassies I think) and they have a very good "esprit de corps" for want of a better expression, and they always gave me brews when I was freezing to death as a very young Dog Handler!!!

[o.j.m]

Thankyou for the reply Flintham Block1, it was a great help. An no jokes i am very impressed. Thought the volley ball thing may be a bit of the famous military humor not that i would mind playing sport and getting paid for it! Sorry to ask another question but is Search and rescue a voluntary job or is it covered by a specific trade.
Thanks again for the reply

[Flintham Block1]

Bloody hell sticky "wagtail" thats a term I havent heard in a few years!! As for Search and Rescue, not sure quite why the RAF is advertising this as a Trade on its current advert as it does not exhist as a trade per sae, rather a role carried out by specifically trained Heli crews. Mountain Rescue of which we have a few teams dotted around the country is a voluntary job open to any trade pending selection. They do have a couple of posts on each team that are permanent (ie the people who fill them do it as a full time job) but the others are volunteers, but be aware it involves an awful lot of your spare time mainly at weekends. If you enjoy the outdoor life and are willing to be out all hours in the wet and cold whilst your mates are on the piss then you would love it. Current Units that have teams are Kinloss, Leeming and Stafford that I can think of.

[Hostage_Negotiator]

Must admit had a little chuckle to myself when Sticky referred to FB1 as a Wagtail, that must be one of the politest ( and oldest!) callsigns ever given to our QPD brethren! Agree with FB1 the current advertising is rather misleading as far as SAR goes. For anybody that may wish to become a Mountain Rescue volunteer they would do well to heed FB1's advice. There are very few slots and always suitably qualified candidates waiting to fill any slot that becomes available, competition for places is fierce and much of the selection is done by word of mouth with team members proposing and recommending new candidates. For those fortunate enough to be given a place the rewards are huge! If as FB1 says you enjoy the outdoor life and want to make a difference you've just got to be committed (?) and go for it!

[o.j.m]

Thanks alot guys. Answered all my questions
Enjoyed the KABOOOMMMMM..... In particular from Sticky Blue