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Fire Fighter

Job Group

  • Soldier

Job Availability

  • Full Time

The Role

As a Fire Fighter, your job is to protect Army and civilian personnel and equipment from fire and fire hazards. Army Fire Fighters are provided with world class equipment and trained to the highest standard of fire fighting techniques responding to emergencies within the camp or the local area if needed.

This trade is currently only available to Regular Force Soldiers, and is lead by Officers from the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE).

Job on Camp

A typical shift for an Army Fire fighter might involve trade training, fire safety promotion, physical training, as well as the servicing and maintenance of equipment. When on duty, you could be called out to an emergency at any moment; Army Fire Fighters are used as first responders to fires or accidents on camp and within the local area. You will also ensure that the camps have adequate fire fighting equipment and that any hazardous substances are stored correctly.

Job on Deployment

In the Field when deployed as a Fire Fighter you will monitor and extinguish any fires that may start during live ammunition firing exercises. Fire Fighters may also be deployed in support of other nation emergency crews in emergencies such as the 2008 Queensland bush fires.

Career Progression

As your career develops, you will gain the opportunity to receive heavy vehicle training; enabling you to operate the Army’s latest fire fighting assets.

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from enlistment is $31,894. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $40,646 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age.

  • You must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

  • You must be of good character – assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check.

Educational Requirements

  • You must have completed at least three years at secondary school.

  • NCEA level 1 with 12 credits in English and Maths.

  • A class 1 restricted driving licence is recommended.

Fitness Requirements

  • You must be medically fit for service.

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you’ll be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you’ will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

  • Organisation and Administration

  • Army Customs and Protocol

  • Drill and Parades

  • Military Field Skills and Weapon Training

  • First Aid

  • Physical Fitness

Job Training

Basic Combat Engineer Course

This is an eight week course held at the School of Military Engineering, Linton Military Camp. This is the first course conducted for most trades within the Royal New Zealand Engineers. It introduces you to the combat side of being an engineer before you undertake your specific trade. The course covers the basics of field engineering including bridging, water supply, explosives, field defences, obstacles, booby traps, boating and other subjects. After the course, you will have a good understanding of field engineering and also be qualified as an Army (explosives) Demolition Handler.

Basic Fire Course

This is a 12-week fire fighting course conducted at Linton Military Camp. This course covers all aspects of fire fighting including rural, domestic and crash incidents. It is a combination of theory and practical work, where you will learn to use some of the most up to date fire fighting and rescue equipment in the world.

You will be trained how to assess, control and extinguish fires. You will also learn how to correctly respond and aid at crash sites. You will attend a course at Christchurch International Airport, where you will be taught how to safely control and extinguish a fire inside an aeroplane, where temperatures can reach 1000 degrees.

Ongoing Training

Ongoing training is conducted at your unit and at the Fire School, with a mix of trade and personal development courses. The Defence Fire Service also sends personnel to attend selected New Zealand Fire Service courses. This ensures that our Fire Fighters, methods and techniques are of the highest standard and at a similar level to our civilian counterparts.