Ranks & Roles

There are different ranks within the fire and rescue service. These can easily be identified by an individual's uniform.


The career path for on-call firefighters within West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service can see individuals progress up to a Watch Manager at their chosen station.

On-call firefighters will however, find themselves working with wholetime colleagues who also fall under all the ranks listed below.

FIREFIGHTER

  • Day-to-day firefighting and fire safety work

CREW MANAGER

  • In charge of the crew and the fire appliance
  • Can deputise for the Watch Manager
  • Day-to-day firefighting and fire safety work
  • Attends incidents as officer in charge of an appliance
  • Takes command of small-scale incidents
  • Specialist duties, such as training

WATCH MANAGER

  • In charge of the watch at larger fire stations
  • Day-to-day firefighting and fire safety work
  • Junior work in policy areas
  • Specialist duties

STATION MANAGER

  • Responsible for an area of work across a group of fire stations
  • Day-to-day work in a specific policy area
  • Takes charge of large-scale incidents
  • Specialist tasks, such as support at an incident

GROUP MANAGER

  • Responsible for management of a group of fire stations within the district
  • Day-to-day work in a specific policy area
  • Takes charge of major incidents
  • Specialist tasks, such as support at an incident

AREA MANAGER

  • Strategic responsibility for the management of an area of fire and rescue operations or policy
  • Takes charge of a major incident
  • Specialist tasks, such as support at an incident

ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

  • Strategic responsibility for the Service Support directorate
  • Takes command of major incidents

DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

  • Can deputise for the Chief Fire Officer during their absence
  • Strategic responsibility for the Service Delivery directorate
  • Takes command of major incidents

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

  • Head of the organisation and the Chief Executive
  • Takes command of major incidents