Volunteering
We have various different volunteering opportunities available in different areas, here's where you can find out how you can help your community, part-time!
Could you volunteer to help your community?
As a West Midlands Fire Service volunteer you’ll help us to deliver our key safety messages, build closer links with diverse groups and contribute positively to the communities of the West Midlands.
We really value the skills and experience that our volunteers bring to our organisation. In exchange, they get the opportunity to make a difference within the community, develop new skills and gain valuable work experience to enhance their employability. Volunteering offers you the chance to meet people from different backgrounds, make new friends, build confidence and have your contribution and achievements recognised.
Being part of our volunteering team will help you learn more about our organisation and its aims, and help you gain a sense of pride at the same time as being involved in something that’s rewarding and enjoyable.
All volunteers are subject to a recruitment process involving application, informal discussion, references and an enhanced DBS check.
The volunteer roles we offer
We have various volunteer roles available. From being a Prevention Advocate Volunteer at our state-of-the-art safety centre for schools or delivering prevention activities in our communities, to being a photographer or a cadet instructor, there’s something for everyone!
Prevention Advocate Volunteer
As a Prevention Advocate Volunteer, you will be supporting West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) to deliver a variety of prevention-based activities in the community.
Your main role will be to help educate the community on key safety messages linked to fire, road, water, home and personal safety through a variety of activities; including the delivery of safety programmes to specific target groups.
This may be through acting as a “Safety Advisor” to deliver key safety messages to children and young people visiting our educational, life-sized safety village at Safeside in Birmingham.
You can also assist fire stations to promote safety messages, volunteering opportunities and WMFS services through open days, community events and local fire safety initiatives.
Prevention Advocate Volunteers need to be 18 or over, the “Safety Advisor” activity is open to young people over 16
Location: Various throughout the West Midlands / “Safety Advisor” activity based at Safeside
Minimum of 10 hours per month; weekdays and weekends. (“Safety Advisor” activity available during school hours on Tuesdays to Thursdays)
How to apply
We really appreciate your interest in our Prevention Advocate Volunteer programme. Thank you! However, we are not currently recruiting for Prevention Advocate Volunteers at this time. Existing volunteers can log in below.
Photographer
As a Volunteer Photographer you will help to promote our activities to our communities. You’ll take photos at community events, exercises, fire station open days, award ceremonies, exhibitions and fundraising events, as well as at incidents attended by our firefighters. Your images will be used for staff communication and publicity purposes, and on our website and social media channels.
Volunteer Photographers must be over 18.
You’ll need to let us know your availability a month in advance and be part of a roster covering a mixture of days, nights and weekends where possible.
To apply to become a photographer with us, please email your details to volunteer@wmfs.net
Fire Cadet Instructor
Activities include exercises on the drill yard, fundraising and social events. The scheme aims to provide an opportunity for young people to develop skills, knowledge, leadership and team qualities, and to become confident, active citizens. As a Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor you will be part of an instructor team supported by a Lead Instructor.
Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructors need to be 18. There’s a recommended commitment of weekly evening meetings (approx. 3 hours) held at selected fire stations, with the possibility of weekend activities including residential stays and fire station open days.
Have questions?
