Firefighter

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

Supports fire team operations and fire team training and assists with the maintenance and inspection of all firefighting equipment onboard.

What you will contribute

• Assist in maintaining and inspecting the ship's firefighting equipment or assigned portions thereof; record results and report deficiencies in accordance with the company's planned maintenance system and statutory requirements.
• Support the upkeep of the SOLAS FFE Binder and Zone Protection Manual.
• Participate as a fire team member, rotating within fire teams to support and enhance overall team performance.
• If trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), assist the Emergency Medical Team in medical emergencies onboard where this does not conflict with firefighting duties.
• In conjunction with the Training Officer, participate in organizing and conducting fire and casualty drills, fire team training, and if EMT trained, EMT training onboard.
• Contribute to the preparation of ship-specific fire attack plans.
• Assist in preparing training materials and training schedules for emergency teams onboard.
• Help orientate new emergency team members with their emergency duties as per the muster list.
• Help orientate new technical crew members and emergency team members with the operation of all portable and fixed firefighting equipment onboard, including watertight doors.
• Continuously assess and take measures to prevent potential fire hazards to improve standards of onboard fire prevention and control.
• Complete training and drill reports in the planned maintenance system.
• Assist with mooring operations.

For This Role, You Will Need

• Valid I/9 Medical Certificate required.
• Successful completion of Basic Training in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-1 to 1-4 is required.
• Successful completion of Security Awareness Training in accordance with STCW A-VI/6-1 is required.
• Successful completion of Crowd Management Training in accordance with STCW A-V/2-1 is required.
• Successful completion of Crisis Management & Human Behavior Training in accordance with STCW A-V/2-3 is preferred.
• Successful completion of Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) training in accordance with STCW A-VI/2-2 is preferred.
• Successful completion of Medical First Aid training in accordance with STCW A-VI/4-1 is preferred.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English in both written and verbal forms.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision and committed to its core values.
• Adherence to the Mercy Ships Code of Conduct.
• Attend and participate in all official community/departmental meetings and team meetings/devotionals.
• Achieves a high level of trust in relationships, respects others, is open and honest, and admits mistakes.
• Works cooperatively and actively engages with others by sharing responsibilities and information.
• Develops rapport with Team Members and maintains positive working relationships through clear and effective communication.
• Demonstrate flexibility and sensitivity to cultural and language diversity.
• Ability to provide leadership, training, and technical expertise.
• Experience as a professional, volunteer, or reserve firefighter required, either onboard or ashore; 3 years preferred.
• Previous firefighting experience onboard passenger vessels preferred.
• Successful completion of On Boarding (Gateway) program for commitments of 12 months or longer.

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.