Fire & Rescue NSW
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    Fire & Rescue NSW
    (35 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Fire & Rescue NSW

    4.035 ratings in total
    5
    15
    4
    11
    3
    5
    2
    2
    1
    2
    80%
    Rate salary as high or average
    83%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    4.0(35 ratings)
    Career development
    3.3(35 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.4(35 ratings)
    Management
    3.2(35 ratings)
    Working environment
    4.0(35 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    4.0(35 ratings)
    Ratings for Fire & Rescue NSW are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 35 reviews sorted by most recent
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    3.0
    Manager
    Jan 2025
    Greenacre NSW 21905 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Overall good, but if you're not wearing a uniform.... you're a second class citizen
    The good thingsYou can't beat the purpose of the organisation. There was pretty good flexibility and some great people to work with.
    The challengesIt's a boys club with some intense ego's in high ranking positions. If you aren't wearing a uniform, you don't really matter. You had the standard Gov employees who've been with the organisation their whole careers which makes it difficult for progress. Headquarters in Greenacre - Why state gov? ;(
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Retained Firefighter
    Dec 2024
    Newcastle NSW 23005 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Great job, don't do it for the money.
    The good thingsThe job itself is great with a lot great people at the station level. It's always an adventure, never know if it's going to slow day or going to get smashed with fire calls or what they will be. Get to help people in need.
    The challengesNSW Government's long term lack of funding. Lots of old trucks and gear, wages have not moved much in more than 10 years. During COVID we got a 0.3% pay raise. Middle and senior management has too many clueless managers.
    4.0
    Retained Firefighter
    Oct 2024
    Newcastle NSW 23001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Good fun, good people who need to be paid a higher retainer based on their attendance at calls and drill and available hours.
    The good thingsEvery time there was a call you never knew what you were heading into, made for an exciting workplace where no day/ call was generally the same. People were great and helped you learn IF you were open to asking questions and seeking assistance. Good 2 weeks of training at the start of employment, learned a great deal that I will take with me and ongoing drill training had benefits.
    The challengesFor what we were paid as retained a LOT was expected. The hourly rate is fairly good for what we did, but the retainer was really poor, especially when most people met requirements and some hardly ever showed to drill, calls and did the absolute minimum availability hours and still got paid the exact same retainer???? Drill training was sometimes a waste of time, did not learn from every session but understand that they are necessary for team bonding and getting to know work mates who you sometimes only see at calls.
    5.0
    Senior Firefighter
    Jan 2024
    Newcastle NSW 23009 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    A rewarding job that is truely a lifestyle. A lifelong career.
    The good things- Every shift is different, you never know what your going to get. - The camaraderie. The friends you make will become your second family. - The training. It's fun, challenging and rewarding. - It's a job that is visibly respected in the community due to the positive impact you'll constantly contribute.
    The challenges- You are regularly exposed to traumatic, challenging and distressing situations which can be challenging on mental health but with a healthy lifestyle and a great support network you will push through without problems. You are taught to handle these situations well. FRNSW, in my opinion lead the NSW emergency services in mental health support services for its employees. Especially after traumatic incidents. - The commute to work especially early in your career if you reside outside Sydney, can be tough, especially after a night of constant jobs. The wait to get a station close to home can be 6+ years. - Getting in. It's challenging to become a Permanent Firefighter in FRNSW there is no sugar coating it. But if you put in the physical and mental effort and get in, you'll never look back.
    4.0
    Deputy Captatin
    Oct 2022
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    A great opportunity and an honest career where no day is the same.
    The good thingsGreat colleagues wanting the same outcome, daily challenges, no two days are the same, fitness and helping the community.
    The challengesOccasional 'odd mindsets', mental health requires active management strategies, progression can be held with redtape.
    3.0
    Firefighter
    Mar 2020
    Ok I suppose
    The good thingsDriving the red truck
    The challengesManagement and budget
    4.0
    Project Officer
    Nov 2019
    9 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    Great place to work with some challenges to overcome. Very easy place to 'settle' into.
    The good thingsVery caring environment. Flexible work/life balance. access to free gym and personal trainers to develop fitness program for you.
    The challengesHierarchical, mix of uniform and non-uniform employees. Location of headquarters is difficult to get to without a car unless you are a local.
    5.0
    Zone Commander
    Nov 2019
    Rewarding and challenging career with a feeling of achievement and satisfaction
    The good thingsCommradery Work life balance Great Workers Compesation coverage Fantastic Holiday entitlements Great Sick Leave hours Fantastic Facilities at the Fire Station with good gym equipment and an emphasis on being fit Has a structured promotion for all persons to have opportunity for promotion to leadership Equal opportunity employers Excellent guide lines and assistance with and grievance or harrassment complaints An opportunity to work with other emergency services also other goverment and non goverment agencies Opportunity to work in Sydney and other metropolitan areas plus regional areas Many areas to work in including firefighting, community safety, hazardous material section, rescue stations plus rescue section, fire safety area, Bush fire section and training
    The challengesMaintaining health and fitness Studying and training for promotion Dealing with incidents where loss of life and injury have occurred. Keeping up with the training. Working in hazardous condition under varying temperatures and dangerous conditions
    2.0
    Fire Fighter
    Feb 2018
    A brilliant chance to help people ruined by poor upper management.
    The good thingsServing the community Fellow firefighters
    The challengesPenny pinching on wages Lack of respect by management Huge wastage outside of wages Technical incompetence
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Station Officer
    Feb 2018
    Boring and stuck in the dark ages
    The good thingsThe roster is good if you don't like weekends,public holidays or nights.
    The challengesDealing with a slow moving incompetent agency that has no respect for its core roll or the employees who fill these core roles.
    5.0
    Administration Officer
    Jan 2018
    11 to 12 years in the role, former employee
    Data analysis and Excel reporting
    The good thingsFlexible hours. Parking
    The challengessomewhat challenging
    4.0
    Area Commander
    Oct 2017
    Excellent career opportunity for a young person to go in too.
    The good thingsThe enjoyment of being able to help people in need.
    The challengesMaking to huge managerial role of the job not impact on your family life.
    5.0
    Retained fire fighter
    Sep 2017
    9 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    Best job in the world
    The good thingsGreat people good challenge
    The challengesAs an emergency service you see things you sometimes wish you hadn't
    4.0
    Firefighter
    Sep 2017
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    excitement and personal challenges
    The good thingsthe work diversity and friendships you make
    The challengesdifferent challenges every day
    5.0
    Project Coordinator
    Sep 2017
    Great place to work.
    The good things- Great team of people - Good work life balance - Minimal politics
    The challenges- Limited opportunities for growth - but that's a government thing - Very high turnover
    5.0
    Fire Fighter
    Aug 2017
    Excellent
    The good thingsLarge support network, great work mates, great crews, lots of opportunities, excellent training.
    The challengesPhysically and mentally challenging working as a firefighter at some times.
    4.0
    Firefighter
    Apr 2017
    Sydney NSW 200011 to 12 years in the role, current employee
    Rewarding and fullfilling
    The good thingsThe roster system is very family friendly
    The challengesThe work we do is diverse and challenging
    5.0
    fire rescue hazmat some management duties
    Sep 2016
    Bega NSW 2550
    very rewarding for the right person
    The good thingscommunity activity friend ships and interaction with clients and other fire fighters who come from all walks of life
    The challengessocial and family life
    5.0
    Fire Vehicle repairer
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Good fun place to work ,
    The good thingsFun working experience
    The challengesHaving a different task each day and a different working environment
    4.0
    Executive Officer Support Services
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    A tight knit team that works for the common goal of serving the community with passion and commitment.
    The good thingsThe sense of duty and camaraderie is second to none , the place is filled with a sense of purpose and importance. The agency is more diverse that people first think with haz-mat , community engagement , overseas deployment , complex fleet and a portfolio of buildings state wide with many being heritage. An interesting place to work
    The challengesDoes have a government department feel and the staff are mostly long termers with slow career progression.
    5.0
    Business Analyst
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    FRNSW doesn't just say \"we want you to have a work-life balance\" - they actually mean it and allow it and encourage it and it makes it a wonderful place to work.
    The good thingsFRNSW is at the top of their game for IT innovation and systems and are world leaders in the Emergency Management field - it's exciting to be a part of that. There are so many clever people with brilliant ideas on how to streamline processes and implement systems and engage the very latest technology to enable everybody to do their jobs quicker, easier and more efficiently. Plus, you know...these systems are helping the firies to do their jobs and SAVE LIVES!!!
    The challengesThe strict OH&S rules mean that I am now allowed to have a go at sliding down the Fireman's pole in the fire station. I always have to use the stairs. Sigh.
    5.0
    Workplace standards and recruitment
    Feb 2016
    I had a wonderful experience and would go back to work there any time
    The good thingsFriendly staff, decent workload
    The challengesGoing through change
    3.0
    Superintendent
    Feb 2016
    Treated poorly after a 33 year career
    The good thingsHelping others when they were in need
    The challengesGetting s fair chance of promotion
    4.0
    Rff
    Feb 2016
    Challenging
    The good thingsHelping the community
    The challengesDealing with stressful situations
    5.0
    Project Manager
    Feb 2016
    Great place to work with real people.
    The good thingsGreat people who are heroes of the community. Who wouldn't work with them?
    The challengesUnderfunded, unfortunately FRNSW are making do with a very efficient back office operation but often investments cannot be made or supported in the longer term without additional treasury allocations.
    3.0
    Firefighter
    Feb 2016
    Challenging
    The good thingsGetting family time.
    The challengesLack of leadership from management.
    4.0
    Project Manager
    Feb 2016
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Career defining role for the right candidate
    The good thingsIt was excellent to work on projects that I could clearly see providing a benefit to the community in terms of preservation of life and property.
    The challengesWorking, particularly as a contractor, in a government role presents many challenges, such as motivating co-workers, navigating a (sometimes highly) political landscape, managing either vague or limited finances, stakeholder/scope ambiguity, etc. Sticking to a solid work ethic and methodology, as much as possible, is essential.
    5.0
    Firefighter
    Sep 2015
    11 to 12 years in the role, current employee
    A lifestyle more than a job.
    The good thingsGood people, interesting variety of work, excellent work conditions and high job satisfaction. You do make a difference to peoples lives.
    The challengesExposure to danger and seeing things happen to people that you don't want to see.
    1.0
    Business Support
    Sep 2015
    Stressful
    The good thingsYour colleagues mostly and the private sector awards. There is literally nothing else that is any good at all!
    The challengesCivil management!
    3.0
    Station Commander
    Sep 2015
    Its not a job, its a career, and the retirement benefits are great ,albiet well earned mentally and physically.
    The good thingsEvery day is different, helping people is so personally rewarding, friendships built with fellow Firefighters last a lifetime, meeting people that you helped years latter, and they remember you and the fire safety tips always brings a smile to the face
    The challengesSenior Management, lack of real support. They try but more management training is needed.
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