Firefighter work experience

Respond. Protect. Lead.

Experience the world of emergency response and discover what it takes to help protect people, facilities and the environment at Sellafield.

Our Firefighter Work Experience programme gives young people a behind-the-scenes insight into the role of Sellafield’s emergency response teams.

Throughout the programme, you’ll work alongside operational firefighters and emergency response professionals, exploring how teams prepare for emergencies, respond to incidents and contribute to safe site operations. The experience combines practical activities, demonstrations and simulated scenarios to help you understand the skills, behaviours and teamwork involved in emergency response.

This active and engaging programme is ideal for young people interested in emergency response, public safety and operational careers, or anyone who wants to develop their teamwork, communication, leadership and decision-making skills.

This programme will take place in a building on our main site, at Seascale. Learners must be 15 at the time of their Work Experience placement to be able to obtain an escorted visitor pass for this location.

  • Emergency response requires much more than physical fitness. It relies on teamwork, communication, leadership, situational awareness and the ability to make decisions when it matters.

    During the programme you’ll:

    • Explore emergency response techniques
    • Experience fire and rescue training activities
    • Learn about first aid and casualty care
    • Discover specialist firefighting equipment
    • Take part in simulated emergency scenarios
    • Meet operational firefighters and emergency response professionals

    You’ll see how technical knowledge, teamwork and effective decision-making come together in a safety-critical environment.

    • Emergency response: Discover how firefighting teams prepare for and respond to different emergency situations.
    • Fire and rescue: Explore some of the techniques, equipment and approaches used by operational firefighters.
    • First aid and casualty care: Learn about the importance of first aid and casualty care within an emergency response environment.
    • Simulated scenarios: Put your learning into practice through scenarios designed to demonstrate the importance of teamwork, communication and decision-making.
    • Meet the professionals: Spend time with operational firefighters and emergency response professionals and discover more about the roles, skills and career opportunities associated with emergency response.

  • By the end of the programme you’ll have had the opportunity to:

    • Develop your teamwork and communication skills
    • Build confidence working with others
    • Experience situations where clear thinking and decision-making matter
    • Understand the importance of preparation and following procedures
    • Develop your awareness of safety and personal responsibility
    • Gain insight into emergency response careers
    • Learn directly from people working in an operational environment

    • Enjoy practical, hands-on activities
    • Like working as part of a team
    • Are interested in emergency response or public safety
    • Want to understand how people respond in challenging situations
    • Are curious about operational careers
    • Want to develop your confidence, communication and teamwork skills

  • The programme will help you explore careers and career pathways associated with emergency response, public safety and operational environments.

    You’ll also meet professionals working in emergency response and have an opportunity to ask questions about their roles, experiences and career journeys.

    Click here to learn more about our Firefighter Apprenticeships 

Programme Structure

Day 1

Discover

Day 2

Fire Appliances and Equipment

Day 3

Operational Skills and Emergency Response

The week begins with an induction and introduction to the Sellafield Fire & Rescue team. You will gain an understanding of the role of a Sellafield firefighter, how industrial firefighting differs from local authority fire and rescue services, and the professional standards, behaviours and safety expectations required throughout the programme. This provides the foundation for understanding the vital role Fire & Rescue plays in maintaining a safe and secure site environment.

You’ll visit the Fire & Rescue training facilities to explore the specialist vehicles, equipment and personal protective equipment used by firefighters. Through demonstrations and practical activities, you will develop an appreciation of how firefighters prepare for operational incidents and the importance of safety, teamwork and effective communication when responding to emergencies.

The focus of day three is on the operational skills required by firefighters. You will be introduced to breathing apparatus and experience practical training activities that demonstrate some of the challenges emergency responders face, including navigating confined spaces and participating in basic firefighting drills. You will also gain insight into how incidents are coordinated through a visit to Sellafield’s command facilities.

Day 4

Understanding the Wider Site

Day 5

Reflect and Look forward

Building on their experience from earlier in the week, you will continue to develop their practical firefighting knowledge through drill ground activities and demonstrations. You will also visit specialist training and operational facilities to gain a broader understanding of the work carried out across Sellafield and how Fire & Rescue teams support safe site operations through their technical expertise and emergency response capability.

Bring your experience together. Reflect on what you’ve learned, the skills you’ve developed and the careers you’ve discovered. Explore the skills and qualities required for a future career in emergency response.

Ready to explore this programme?

Ready to discover the role of a firefighter at Sellafield?

Whether you’re interested in emergency services, public safety, health and safety, or simply want to challenge yourself through practical, hands-on activities, this programme provides an engaging introduction to the skills, behaviours and teamwork required to keep people and operations safe, this could be the experience for you. Applications are now open.

Duration: One week.
Location: The programme is based in West Cumbria, with Monday and Friday at Energus, Lillyhall and Tuesday to Thursday at the Sellafield main site, Seascale.
Minimum age: You must be 15 at the time of your placement because an escorted visitor pass is required for access to the Sellafield site.

Our Firefighter work experience could provide you with an understanding of what to expect on our Firefighter apprentice programmes.

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Firefighter Apprenticeships