Recruitment Process

1.  The application pack will contain

• General information about becoming a firefighter
• A self-selection questionnaire to help you assess if you want take on the role, before you make your application. This is for your own use and does not need to be returned.
• Detailed information about the selection process and what you should expect
• An application form, which you will need to complete and return. This forms the first part of the application process.

Four written tests:

1. The national firefighter questionnaire assesses your attitudes and motivation based on personal qualities and attributes:

• Working with others;
• Commitment to diversity and integrity;
• Confidence and resilience;
• Commitment to excellence;
• Commitment to development;
• Situational awareness;
• Openness to change.

2. Situational awareness and problem solving assess your ability to ensure your own safety and the safety of others, and your ability to use information to solve problems. Each question describes a situation and gives four possible ways to respond.

3. The understanding information test assesses your ability to read and understand written information of the type a firefighter is likely to need to deal with. You will be asked to extract relevant information from a variety of written information.

4. Working with numbers assesses your ability to understand and work with numerical information, based on information a firefighter is likely to need to work with. It will include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, along with estimations of numerical data.

3. Physical tests

The physical tests all relate to activities firefighters might have to carry out in their daily work and include:

• A ladder climb;
• Casualty evacuation – moving a full sized manakin;
• Ladder lift;
• Moving and navigating in an enclosed space;
• Equipment assembly – putting together a piece of equipment with instruction;
• Equipment carry – lifting and carrying various pieces of fire service equipment around a set area.

4. Interview

The interview panel will comprise three people who will ask a range of set questions. You will be expected to give examples and be able to demonstrate ways in which you meet the personal qualities and attributes (see the first of the written tests above).

5. Final checks

If you are successful at interview you will be invited to attend a medical and asked to provide references.