Frequently Asked Questions

It is illegal to obstruct a fire hydrant, but the offence is only committed when the hydrant is required for firefighting. In the event of an emergency, a fire officer is empowered to move a car, for example by breaking a window and releasing the handbrake. Outside of emergency operations we can only hope that people are considerate and leave fire hydrants clear.

A new clause of the Deregulation Bill 2015 extends the existing exemption for Sikhs to have to wear a safety helmet under the Employment Act in all workplaces. However, there are exclusions for emergency response services and the military, which apply only in hazardous operational situations when the wearing of a safety helmet is considered necessary, for example when entering a burning building where protective clothing needs to be worn to enclose the whole body.

Our Water Officer would be pleased to hear from you if you are aware of a leaking fire hydrant, missing yellow hydrant sign or a knocked over yellow post in Buckinghamshire or Milton Keynes. Please click here to provide details of a hydrant related matter. If the structure is not yellow then your water or gas company will be able to help.

We have 19 strategically placed stations across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. They are located at (listed in alphabetical order): Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Brill, Broughton, Buckingham, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Haddenham, High Wycombe, Marlow, Newport Pagnell, Olney, Princes Risborough, Stokenchurch, Waddesdon, West Ashland and Winslow. Details about our fire stations and their locations can be found on our ‘About Us‘ page.

As part of our Wholetime Firefighters fitness tests you will be required to complete the Bleep Test to a level 8.6, as well as the completion of 3 strength tests. These include Equipment Grip and Carry (testing aerobic endurance and grip), Ladder Haul-Aloft (testing upper body strength) and a Push-Pull test. If you are considering applying, it is advisable that you start working on your fitness and strength in advance. If you are successful at the early stages of the process, you will then be ready for the fitness test. It is also important that you maintain your fitness.

Yes you can. We welcome all applications. As part of the recruitment process, you will be asked if you have a disability, and asked to give details of the type of adjustments you may require in order to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role you are applying for, should you be successful. Each case will be considered on an individual basis and, where reasonable adjustments can be made, your application will be progressed.

At stage two of the recruitment process you will be given a link to our online application form. This happens after you have attended one of our On-Call awareness evenings. You can sign up for an awareness evening here.

You can find out which On-Call fire stations are recruiting by clicking here.

We have 19 strategically placed stations across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. They are located at (listed in alphabetical order): Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Brill, Broughton, Buckingham, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Haddenham, High Wycombe, Marlow, Newport Pagnell, Olney, Princes Risborough, Stokenchurch, Waddesdon, West Ashland and Winslow. Details about our fire stations and their locations can be found on our ‘About Us‘ page.

A beeping or chirping smoke alarm can indicate a fault with the battery or sensor within it. Although the smoke alarm may continue to work in the short term when the beep is intermittent, the cause of the beeping needs to be investigated and if necessary the smoke alarm should be replaced.

If you are concerned about a possible fire risk, please let us know. Our fire safety inspectors will investigate or give advice as appropriate. Please contact the local fire safety office with as much information as you can. If the concern is serious and outside of normal working hours, dial 999.
– Location is in Wycombe or South Bucks, please click here.
– Location is in Aylesbury or South Bucks, please click here.
– Location is in Milton Keynes, please click here.

As a regulatory authority we can not recommend a training provider or provide training. There are many organisations that provide training either at a central venue, or your business. When selecting a provider and course, consider any significant findings from your fire risk assessment and your procedures.

There are charges for some of our services, including reports. These are explained on the Services we charge for page, click here to go to that page.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority is a publicly accountable body which manages Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service on behalf of the communities it serves. It normally meets four times a year, with an annual meeting held in June. During these meetings, Members make decisions on policy, finance and resources. Click here to find out more about the Fire Authority meetings.

We publish information every year explaining how much council tax you will pay as a contribution to fire and rescues services within Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. This information also explains how the amount was reached, where it was agreed, and what it will be spent on. Click here to read this information.

We publish information about our financial arrangements including annual information on how much money we have, how much we will receive, how much we expect to spend, and how much we have spent. This information is available within the Finance and Procurement area of this site, click here to go there . We also provide regular reports and updates to the Fire Authority, this information can be found within the Meetings section of this site, click here to visit that area.