Fire and Rescue NSW Permanent firefighter recruitment drive closing soon
Published: 18 Mar 2026 12:45pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is encouraging people from all walks of life to consider an incredibly rewarding career with applications for its 2026 Permanent firefighter recruitment campaign closing this week.
Prospective candidates have until Friday 20 March 2026 to apply.
FRNSW recruited 219 full-time firefighters in 2025 and is seeking to further strengthen its permanent workforce, with 20 recruit classes planned this year.
Fire and Rescue’s ranks are made up of permanent and on-call firefighters, depending on the firefighting needs of the community they serve.
Firefighters respond to thousands of incidents across New South Wales each year, ranging from building and vehicle fires, road crashes, rescue operations, hazardous materials incidents and medical emergencies.
Successful recruits will complete a 13-week induction and training program at FRNSW’s Emergency Services Academy, developing the operational, technical and teamwork skills required to safely respond to a wide range of emergencies.
The role requires strong judgement, resilience and teamwork to protect life, property and the environment.
In addition to their technical proficiencies, recruits will be assessed on their physical readiness, judgement, teamwork and communication skills.
More information: https://careers.fire.nsw.gov.au/permanent-firefighter.
Quote attributed to Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib:
“The fire service’s biggest asset is its people. We’re proud to continue our support for more firefighters off the back of record recruitment in 2025 when 648 Permanent and On-call firefighters joined.
“FRNSW is also seeking additional On-call firefighters, particularly in regional areas, and we encourage people to reach out and apply.
“The Government is investing $98.5 million this year in fire stations and fleet as we continue to support firefighters and communities across NSW.”
Quotes attributed to FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell:
“It’s a fantastic job. I’ve had nothing but immense job satisfaction for almost 30 years. It’s the most rewarding career you could have.
“One of the appeals is the variety of challenges and the mix of skills you’ll learn in the job.
“We’re looking for people from all walks of life. Diverse experience strengthens our teams and helps firefighters solve problems when it matters most.”
Please refer to the FRNSW website or visit your local fire station for advice.
Media note – Recent FRNSW footage of recruits training at the Emergency Services Academy is available here: https://vimeo.com/1172342695/529cb53455
Updated: 18 Mar 2026 1:53pm