Control Officers – London Fire Brigade
Salary: £39,880.66 with annual salary progression increase up to £50,731.12 *exclusive of national pay awards.
Closing date 4 PM on 11th September 2026
The London Fire Brigade Control room is the busiest Fire and Rescue Service control room in the UK, handling more than half a million calls every year, including over 230,000 emergency 999 calls.
Protecting and serving the nation's capital is a role like no other. Our Control Room supports some of London's largest and most complex events, including Pride in London, Notting Hill Carnival, and the State Opening of Parliament. We also provide emergency response support to London’s vast transport network including 250 miles of underground tunnels and two major airports and with 80% of the UK’s tall buildings, our focus is keeping nearly 10 million Londoners safe. The scale, variety, and complexity of incidents we deal with are unmatched anywhere else in the UK.
In order to send the right fire engine to the emergency, Control staff use a number of different software solutions and platforms, so confidence in navigating a range of ICT tools is essential.
About the Role
We are looking for six dedicated and resilient Control Officers to join our team.
Working on one of our six watches, you will be at the heart of emergency response. You will answer 999 calls, gather critical information, and mobilise firefighters from 102 fire stations and our River Station. You will provide advice and reassurance to callers who may be experiencing some of the most difficult and stressful situations of their lives, remaining calm, compassionate, and professional at all times. Once crews are on scene, you will continue to support operational activity, working closely with incident commanders and partner agencies to help bring incidents to a safe resolution. No two shifts are the same.
Our Control Room is located in Merton, South West London.
For those looking to develop their experience further, opportunities include becoming a National Control Liaison Officer or working with teams such as:
- Control Training
- Control Operational Resourcing and Events
Shift Pattern
Our six watches operate a three-on, three-off shift pattern consisting of:
- 12-hour day shift: 08:00 to 20:00
- 8-hour mid shift: 08:00 to 16:00 or 14:00 to 22:00
- 12-hour night shift: 20:00 to 08:00
This is followed by three days off.
What we're Looking For
We are seeking candidates who embody our values.
Providing the best possible service to Londoners requires adaptability, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning. We are looking for individuals who can remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively, and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
Is This the Career for You?
Ask yourself:
- Would you like a rewarding career where your actions can help save lives?
- Can you support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives with calmness and compassion?
- Are you able to work a flexible shift pattern, including nights, weekends, bank holidays, and major celebrations?
- Can you communicate clearly, follow procedures, and make decisions under pressure
- Do you thrive as part of a high-performing team?
If you answered yes and believe you have what it takes to make a difference when it matters most, we'd love to hear from you.
Join London Fire Brigade Control and help keep London safe, every day, every hour, every call.
Successful candidates will need to attend an initial training course of eight weeks held Monday to Friday and will be subject to a nine-month probationary period.
In order to apply, you must meet the following criteria at the point of application:
- Be eligible to live and work in the UK without restrictions
- The role requires an enhanced DBS check.
Selection process
The selection process will be as follows:
Stage 1
Online application and CV. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
Online application form and evidence to demonstrate and promote values outlined in the job profile:
1 – As a Control Officer, you will need to make critical decisions under pressure while supporting callers. Using an example from your experience, explain how you have demonstrated LFB's values of Service, Integrity, Teamwork to achieve a positive outcome.
2 –Control Officers communicate with people from diverse communities, often in stressful and emergency situations. Please provide an example of how you have demonstrated the LFB value of Equity by ensuring an individual(s) received fair and appropriate support based on their specific needs. What actions did you take and what did you learn from the experience?"
To apply, please complete the online application, along with copy of your up-to-date CV.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address you provide on your application form.
Stage 2
Online assessment and Interview
Assessments for this role is due to take place week commencing Monday 28th September. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled interview date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
We offer a competitive starting salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Free access to on-site gym
- Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness adviser
- Free counselling
- Season ticket loan
- Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
- Contributory pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
- Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs-london-fire-gov-uk.jobsmarket.site/pages/en-gb/jobs to access the full advert.
Please note: Our application system has recently changed.
After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your email address. This is a quick security step and is required for your application to be successfully submitted.
Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your application. This email will also include your applicant number for future reference.
If you’ve submitted your application but haven’t received the email acknowledging receipt of your application, please check that you’ve confirmed your email address as soon as possible and before the closing date. Look out for an email from our recruitment system with a confirmation link. If you can’t see it, please check your junk or spam folder and add the sender to your safe senders list.
