Fitness is a key part of being a firefighter, whether you’re on-call or wholetime. In this episode, we speak to Amanda, our Service Fitness Advisor, about everything you need to know to get fit for the fireground.

We cover how to prepare for the firefighter fitness test, tips for staying hydrated and fueling your body properly, and we bust some common firefighter fitness myths along the way.

Whether you’re thinking about applying or just curious about the role, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you perform at your best.

Links to Websites/Resources discussed in the episode:

• Bleep Test TikTok
• Chester Treadmill Test TiKTok
• Weights/Strength required (scroll down to On-call firefighter fitness requirements to see Strength Test)

If you’re interested in finding out more about on-call firefighting at LFRS and would like to register your interest, please head to our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall.

For more information about wholetime firefighters at LFRS, head over to www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/wholetime.

And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

Have you ever been curious about what it’s like to be an on-call firefighter, what the fitness test involves, and how to apply for the position?

With recruitment for on-call firefighters opening soon, we’ve put together a podcast episode featuring a conversation with On-call Firefighter Sue Ward, about the ins and outs of the role.

On-call firefighters are community members who live or work near an on-call fire station and can quickly respond to emergencies by crewing a fire engine - usually arriving at the station within 5 to 8 minutes.

The service employs people from all walks of life in the role, ranging from self-employed tradespeople, stay-at-home parents to employees of small businesses and large, well-known organisations. They are paid for their time and are professionally trained firefighters who work alongside full-time colleagues to respond to a wide range of incidents from road, rail or air crashes, to floods, fires, chemical spills or rescuing people trapped in confined spaces.

Our applications open on Monday 2nd June, and close on Friday 27th June, with training courses beginning in October. If you’re interested in finding out more about on-call firefighting at LFRS and would like to register your interest, please head to our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/oncall

And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.

In this heartfelt episode of Out of the Ashes: Stories from Lancashire, we sit down with Chief Fire Officer Justin Johnston as he prepares for retirement after an extraordinary 30-year career in the fire service.

Justin discusses the challenges of modern firefighting, including responding to climate-driven emergencies, adopting cutting-edge technology like drones and AI, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion within the service.

He also shares leadership insights, career-defining moments, and plans for the future, including supporting fire service research and spending more time with family—and his dog, Milo.

And remember if you liked our episode, please like and subscribe and let’s make Lancashire safer together.