This is our own independent research from public sources. The employer hasn't reviewed, paid for or approved it.
Key figures
- Starting salary as a Trainee Apprentice Firefighter
- £36,302
- Source: London Fire Brigade (opens in a new tab)
- Salary once you are a Competent Firefighter
- £46,234
- Source: London Fire Brigade (opens in a new tab)
- Length of the Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship, including 15 weeks at training school
- ~18 months
- Source: London Fire Brigade (opens in a new tab)
Overview
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is the largest and busiest fire and rescue service in England and Wales. New firefighters join on a Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship, which LFB says is equivalent to A-level standard.
The firefighter apprenticeship
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Training school | About 15 weeks, Monday to Friday, with classroom learning and practical drills |
| Fire station | You move to a station and keep learning on the job, building a portfolio of evidence |
The whole apprenticeship takes about 18 months. You start on £36,302 as a Trainee Apprentice Firefighter, and pay rises to £46,234 once you are a Competent Firefighter. You’ll also need an LGV driving licence within 12 months of joining, because you’ll be expected to drive the fire engine.
What you need
LFB says no specific qualifications are needed. If you don’t have GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (or equivalent), you do Functional Skills as part of the apprenticeship. You must be at least 17 and a half, have a full UK or EU driving licence and have no unspent criminal convictions.
Where you’d work
Training school sites are across London, at Barking, Beckton, Plaistow, Park Royal and Harrow. LFB says there is no accommodation or parking, so you may need to arrange somewhere nearby at your own cost. After training you could be posted to any of its 102 stations.
What they don’t tell you
LFB doesn’t publish pay rates for different ages, and it’s open about how competitive firefighting is. Its selection process has ten steps, including online tests, fitness tests, an assessment centre and medical checks, and it can take between four and twelve months.
What they do
London Fire Brigade is the largest and busiest fire and rescue service in England and Wales. It has over 5,000 staff in three functions - firefighters, control (answering 999 calls) and professional services - and responds to fires, floods, road collisions and major incidents across London.
Apprenticeships at London Fire Brigade
-
Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship
Frontline firefighting
Starts with 15 weeks of training school in London, then a move to a fire station for on-the-job learning. You build a portfolio of evidence and finish with an end-point assessment. LFB says Level 3 is equivalent to A-level standard. Pay is £36,302 as a trainee and £46,234 once you are a Competent Firefighter.
Pay calculator
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Career areas
London Fire Brigade entry requirements
- Operational Firefighter apprenticeship
- No specific qualifications are required. If you don't have GCSE English and maths at grade C/4 (or equivalent), you complete Functional Skills as part of the apprenticeship. From LFB's firefighter eligibility checklist.
- Operational Firefighter apprenticeship
- A full UK or EU driving licence (manual or automatic), no unspent criminal convictions, and at least 17 and a half years old. From LFB's firefighter eligibility checklist.
Who can apply
- You must be a UK or EU citizen, or a permanent UK resident with no work restrictions.
- You must be at least 17 and a half. There is no upper age limit.
- You need a full UK or EU driving licence when you apply, and an LGV (large goods vehicle) licence within 12 months of joining.
- You must be prepared to be clean shaven so you can safely wear breathing apparatus.
Our tips for London Fire Brigade
- Read the ten-step selection process on LFB's site first. LFB says it can take between four and twelve months, and it includes fitness tests and medical checks.
- Start working on your fitness early. LFB describes training school as extremely physically demanding, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00.
- Think about travel. Training school sites are across London and LFB says there is no accommodation or parking, so you may need to arrange somewhere nearby at your own cost.
- LFB says competition is strong, so look at the other roles it lists, such as 999 control and professional services, as well as firefighting.
Summary
- New London Fire Brigade firefighters take a Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship that lasts about 18 months.
- Pay is £36,302 as a Trainee Apprentice Firefighter, rising to £46,234 once you are a Competent Firefighter.
- You must be at least 17 and a half, with a full UK or EU driving licence. No specific qualifications are required.
- The selection process has ten steps and can take four to twelve months, with fitness tests and medical checks.
Related video
A Day in the Life of a Firefighter | Emergency Calls & Fire Station Life
Questions about London Fire Brigade apprenticeships
Is there an upper age limit to be a London firefighter?
No. You must be at least 17 and a half to apply, and there's no upper age limit.
How much do London Fire Brigade apprentices get paid?
You start on £36,302 as a Trainee Apprentice Firefighter. Once you're a Competent Firefighter, pay goes up to £46,234.
What qualifications do you need to be a firefighter in London?
London Fire Brigade says no specific qualifications are required. If you don't have GCSE English and maths at grade C/4 (or equivalent), you complete Functional Skills as part of the apprenticeship.
Can you be a firefighter at 17?
Not quite. You must be at least 17 and a half when you apply, and there's no upper age limit. You also need a full UK or EU driving licence.
How long is the London Fire Brigade firefighter apprenticeship?
About 18 months. The first 15 weeks are at training school, then you move to a fire station and keep learning on the job. It ends with an end-point assessment.
Where would I work as a London Fire Brigade apprentice?
Training school sites are across London, at Barking, Beckton, Plaistow, Park Royal and Harrow. After that you could be posted to any of the brigade's 102 stations, and LFB takes your top three requests into account.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.
- Firefighters (opens in a new tab) Pay, length, eligibility and selection process.
- Firefighter training school (opens in a new tab) Apprenticeship structure and training locations.
- About us (opens in a new tab)