Volunteer Support – Safety

Creating a safer Kent and Medway

 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) volunteers give their time, skills and knowledge to help create a safer future for Kent and Medway. Together we are all one team and, with our volunteers acting as our ambassadors, we’re helping to make a difference to people’s lives – whoever they are. If you enjoy contributing, being there for other people and want to be part of something that matters, consider volunteering with KFRS.

 

Purpose of Role  

This volunteer role provides valuable support for our Safe and Well Officers, Firesetter Advisors, Events Officers, and Education Officers in a variety of ways from attendance at events to accompanying officers on visits where necessary. 

 

Context of Role

Safe and Well Officers visit customers throughout Kent and Medway, helping them to live safer lives in their own homes. 
Our Events Officers organise large scale internal events such as our popular Family Open Days. They also organise our attendance at external events and festivals, such as the Police Open Day and Pride events, where we can actively engage with the public, providing information to help everyone stay safe. 
The Education team is responsible for our schools education programme, youth activities, road safety education, firesetter intervention and other community engagement events.

 

Key Activities  

  • Promoting our safe and well visits in various locations throughout Kent and Medway to help generate referrals and provide safety information
  • Visiting customers to obtain missing contact details so that home visits can be booked 
  • Supporting Safe & Well Officers during home visits where two-person visits are required 
  • Assisting Education Officers with setting up safety sessions, welcoming participants and encouraging student interaction through discussion 
  • One-to-one support of students during education sessions where needed
  • Helping staff and partner agencies deliver road safety messages at various locations throughout Kent and Medway
  • Assisting our Firesetter Advisors where two-person visits are required 
  • Supporting busy Family Open Days and ‘Fun in the Dark’ events in a variety of roles including setting up allocated areas, welcoming customers, support on stands, providing safety advice, performing in a mascot role, and helping to make sure customers have a fun and memorable day    
  • Delivering bespoke volunteer-led engagement events, such as local community events and fetes 

 

Skills and Qualities required

  • You should be reliable, trustworthy and able to behave in a professional manner
  • Enjoy working as part of a team and follow our Volunteer Code of Ethical Conduct
  • Have the ability and willingness to volunteer within set processes and expectations
  • You will need to be a good communicator and enjoy engaging with members of the public, KFRS and other partner organisations
  • Have good verbal, numeracy and computer skills
  • Be passionate about promoting customer safety
  • Be flexible and able to adapt to busy and changing environments
  • Possess energy and confidence when interacting with members of the public 
  • Have experience of working  or volunteering with young people (desirable) 

 

Other Opportunities

Other non-specialist opportunities to volunteer may be offered alongside this role for example:  

  • supporting KFRS and partner events including welcoming attendees
  • casualty role playing at Service exercises

Volunteers are however under no obligation to accept these additional roles

 

Support and Training

KFRS encourages and welcomes volunteers and we want you to feel part of our Service.  We will provide: 

  • A full induction and introduction to KFRS
  • Training to enable you to undertake this role
  • Regular feedback and support
  • A volunteer handbook to explain all of our volunteer processes

 

Trial Period

A trial period of three months in this role will begin on completion of training and induction.  A review meeting will take place at the end of this time to discuss suitability of the role and volunteering at KFRS or to determine an alternative option. 

 

Locations

KFRS and partner premises throughout Kent and Medway. Volunteers are able to undertake this role within an area near to where you live, work or study. 

 

Time Commitment

We ask our volunteers to commit to supporting us for a minimum of 8 – 10 hours per month. During the summer months our event schedule will be busier and therefore there may be opportunities to do more if you wish.  

 

Expenses

You will be reimbursed for agreed travel and out of pocket expenses.