Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is about more than putting out fires. Behind every emergency response is a team of dedicated professionals working together to create the safest communities across Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Our people work across the region in state-of-the-art community fire stations, technical services centre and service headquarters, which includes our training centre at Turbine Business Park.
Over 1000 people, employed within operational, control, corporate and volunteer roles, work tirelessly to keep you safe 24/7, 365 days a year, with roles varying from:
Operational Crews (Firefighters)
Our emergency responders represent the frontline of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, providing rapid, professional responses to emergencies. The team plays a crucial role in keeping our community safe, responding to a wide range of incidents, including fires, road traffic collisions, extreme weather events, rescue, and other emergencies.
We are proud to hold all seven national resilience assets, which enable us to respond effectively to large-scale and complex incidents anywhere in the UK. These capabilities include teams such as Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Water Rescue, Rope Rescue, Dog Handlers, and more. Our firefighters are highly trained not only in firefighting but also in specialist areas, allowing us to save lives and protect property in the most challenging environments.
Control
Control is the heartbeat of our operations, acting as the nerve centre of the fire service. This critical department manages emergency calls from the public, coordinates swift and effective responses to incidents, and ensures public safety during emergencies.
By facilitating seamless communication and rapid action, Control plays a vital role in keeping our community safe when it matters most.
Fire Safety
The Fire Safety Team works to ensure non-domestic premises meet fire safety standards to protect lives.
Their work involves conducting fire safety audits, educating businesses and communities on fire prevention, and enforcing fire safety regulations through partnerships and legal action.
The department also includes Fire Investigators and the Building Safety Regulation Team, responsible for overseeing high-rise residential buildings—those over 18m tall or with seven or more floors—across Tyne and Wear and the wider North East region.
Operations
The Operations Team forms the backbone of our firefighting capabilities by supporting frontline crews with the resources and preparation they need to succeed.
They ensure teams are equipped with the right appliances, equipment, and information, while also researching and developing policies, procedures, and innovations to enhance firefighter safety and community outcomes.
Operations ensures that we deliver a safe, effective, and forward-thinking service.
People and Culture
The People and Culture Team focuses on supporting and developing our workforce to ensure they thrive.
This department oversees culture and inclusion initiatives, manages recruitment and employee relations, and provides training and development opportunities to help team members grow.
They are also responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees across the service and ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported.
Prevention and Education
The Prevention and Education Team takes a proactive approach to community safety by delivering home safety engagement and prevention resources.
They develop and manage educational programs designed to promote fire safety awareness and positive behaviour both on-site and within the community.
The team is also responsible for safeguarding and providing vital support to improve community safety outcomes.
Risk and Resilience
The Risk and Resilience Team ensures the service is prepared to respond to and recover from critical incidents effectively.
Their work focuses on planning and preparation, warning and informing the public, building partnerships, and ensuring the resources and strategies are in place to achieve our strategic goals.
This team guarantees that we are ready to protect and support our community in times of crisis.
Service Delivery
Service Delivery is at the forefront of our mission, providing core services to the community. This department includes frontline operations, service delivery training and staffing, and operational training, ensuring teams are skilled and ready to perform their roles effectively.
Corporate Services
We have a number of essential supporting departments at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, which include a wide range of teams who collectively work together to ensure the create the safest community:
- Communications
- Data and Information
- Executive Support
- Estates and Facilities
- Finance
- ICT
- Payroll and Pensions
- Service Improvement
- Technical Services