Applicants must provide a substantive home or work location address to respond from. The employer address must be that of your permanent employer, someone to whom you are contracted to work for. You must provide written evidence from this employer that they have agreed to you being able to respond from their address and that they are in agreement that you undertake the duties we require.

You must be operationally ready at the station within five minutes of being called out. For example, 3 to 3.5 minutes travelling to station, 2 minutes to get changed and away.

If your home or work address changes while you are applying to become an on-call firefighter you must inform us immediately. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) will assess on an individual basis whether or not the applicant meets the response requirement. The decision made by KFRS is final and will result in the application not being taken forward to the next stage of selection. There is no right of appeal in regards to the decision made by KFRS.

Initial Training – Stage 1 

Once you have been offered and accepted your contract of employment, you will be invited to start your initial training. This will comprise:

• a two-day Induction course (16 hours), which is normally held over a weekend (courses are non-residential). 
• a programme of e-learning and practical skills on station for approximately 6 weeks in preparation for attending the 10-day foundation course.
• a 10-day foundation course. The purpose of the Foundation Module is to ensure that you are safe to act as part of a supervised crew on the fireground (the scene of a fire). It covers the basics and is an introduction to equipment, terminology and procedures. Following successful completion of this module, you can attend incidents as part of the crew and assist in activities that you have been trained to do.

When you are offered your initial training date, you will be provided with the dates of the foundation element and you will need to commit to both elements of this initial training programme. You will be offered a choice of dates (where possible KFRS will publish these dates in advance on the website).  

You will receive payment for attending your initial training ‘Stage 1’. This payment is based on the National Joint Council's (NJC) Local Authorities' Fire Services firefighter trainee hourly rate of pay. 

Attending and completion of the initial training will include:

• 2 days  (16 hours paid ) induction course – normally held at a KFRS training facility.
• 7 hours paid self-study required prior to foundation course.
• 18 hours paid for guided learning that you will complete with the station between Induction and foundation.
• 10 days (80 hours paid ) foundation training – normally held at a KFRS training facility.

Please be aware that failure to commit to and or attend one of the courses offered within a suitable time frame (unless there are exceptional circumstances determined by our People team and a member of the Operational Group Management team), may result in the offer of employment being withdrawn. Where KFRS has cancelled the course, this will not apply.
KFRS reserves the right to cancel a course at any time, but every effort will be made to provide as much notice as possible to applicants.

Unsuccessful completion of initial training course

Failure to complete or reach the required standard during the initial training (to include: induction, guided learning and foundation course), will place you under KFRS's capability procedures, which could result in termination of your contract of employment. These procedures can be provided upon request to the People Team.

Successful completion of the initial training course, continuous learning and development 

When the initial training is successfully completed you will:

• become a Stage 2 development firefighter and receive the NJC Development rate of pay. 
• be enrolled as a member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) and enrolled on to the Level 2 Certificate programme after completing your first year to gain an understanding of operational matters. Completion of this will be by sitting and passing the IFE exam.
• embark upon a development programme to become a competent firefighter, which offers a continuous development programme to ensure you are prepared to take an active part in fire service operations at station level.

Training courses

There are several training courses that you will need to undertake before you are assessed as competent and can carry out some of the more complex activities that are part of a firefighter's daily work. Individuals will be paid to attend the following formal courses: 

Initial breathing apparatus (IBA) course

This course teaches you to use breathing apparatus (BA) safely in operational situations involving activities in irrespirable atmospheres (atmospheres where it is unsafe to breathe) and fire situations.

First aid (FA) course

This course teaches you how to provide first aid to casualties who have been injured at incidents that we attend. This will include administering oxygen and the use of defibrillators. This course must be completed before you can attend the RTC course below.

Road traffic collision (RTC) course

This course teaches you the techniques needed for incidents where people are trapped in vehicles. It also teaches you how to use the operational RTC equipment safely and effectively.

Throughout your development phase at station, you will complete an electronic development programme identifying your progress. There will also be key benchmark assessments, including assessment days at 12 and 24 months.

Firefighter Situational Judgement Assessment

The Firefighter Situational Judgement Assessment looks at how you would approach typical situations within the firefighter role. You will be presented with a range of scenarios and options from which you will be asked to select the most and least effective ways of handling the situation from the options provided.  The scenarios have been developed by drawing on the experience of firefighters so will also help you understand more about what it might be like to work as a firefighter. 

The Firefighter Situational Judgement is untimed.

Verbal Reasoning Assessment 

The Verbal Reasoning Assessment is designed to measure your level of ability to read written information, understand the content, identify the main ideas and extract relevant information. This assessment is especially useful in helping to understand how you might perform in areas of the role such as interpreting guidance documents, following written instructions and preparing documents.

You will be provided with a passage of text followed by one of more statements in which you may be asked to recall details about text, summarise the concepts, or make decisions about the information. 

The Verbal Reasoning Assessment is timed (15 minutes). 
If you are unsuccessful in attaining the required assessment standard/s we will not accept your application for a further 12 months, to provide you the time to develop your skills before re-applying.

You will also be required to undertake physical role-related tests to test your strength, fitness and manual dexterity, as well as your level of confidence.

If you are successful in the previous stages of the selection process, you will be invited to attend the fitness and practical assessments. Kent Fire and Rescue takes health, safety and wellbeing very seriously and as a result, will ask you to take part in a fitness survey before we allow you to participate in any form of physical activity or role related assessment. The survey will provide you with advice based on the answers you give, so it is in your best interests to answer honestly and take medical advice before attending any of our activities. A form is generated once the survey is complete. Please print off, sign and bring it with you on the day you have been invited to attend.

We will collect the form from you before you are able to undertake any role related activities. Where you have been advised to seek further medical advice, please speak to your own doctor. Where appropriate please bring an advice note/letter from them stating that you are fit to undertake the required activities. If any reasonable adjustments have been advised by your medical practitioner, please contact the People team recruitment.hr@kent.fire-uk.org or by calling 01622 692121, EXT 2381 in order that these can be discussed with you before the day.  

If you fail one or more elements of the role-related tests, you will be offered the opportunity to re-take them, no sooner than 8-12 weeks after the initial assessment. If you fail after two further attempts, we will withdraw your application and ask that you re-apply after 12 months. 

If you fail the fitness assessment only, you may be given the opportunity to re-take the test locally, normally at your local fire station. You will be given a further two opportunities to undertake the test, but if you fail after two further attempts we will withdraw your application and ask that you re-apply after 12 months. (Re-takes apply to On-call duty system applications only).

It is important that you understand the requirements of the fitness test and ensure that you prepare well in advance of the day. Please consider whether you are fully prepared before agreeing a date for your assessment. 

Practical assessments

The practical assessments are designed to assess whether candidates have the ability to carry out the more physical aspects of the role and therefore closely reflect the wide range of physical tasks carried out.

The tests used are as follows:

• ladder lift/lower simulation
• ladder extension simulation
• casualty evacuation
• working in confined spaces
• equipment assembly (subject to Covid-19 guidelines)
• equipment carry

Prior to undertaking the practical assessment, you must complete a medical fitness/indemnity form which will be given to you on the day. You will not be allowed to participate in any practical assessment without a completed form.

Please note: The videos below show both male and female candidates performing each test. There is no difference between the tests.

Ladder lift/lower simulation

This is an assessment of upper and lower body strength and is designed to simulate a standard 10.5m fire service ladder. You will be required, in PPE, to lift a bar 75cm off the ground to a height of 182cm, and back down to the 75cm support level.

The weight of the bar at the lifting point will start at 5kg. The maximum load to be added is 15kg.

This bar can be lifted as many times as wanted at 5kg to prepare for the assessment.

Only one attempt is allowed with the full assessment load of 15kg.

Ladder extension simulation

You will be expected to demonstrate sufficient strength to extend service ladders by successfully completing tests on a rope pull down machine.       

Repeated rope pull test – 28kg - 23 repetitions

Casualty evacuation

Again, this is an assessment of lower and upper body strength. You will be required, in PPE, to drag a 55kg “casualty”, walking backwards (guided by an assessor), around a 30-metre course.

You will have to complete the test within a specific time.

Working in confined spaces

This is an assessment of confidence, agility and possible claustrophobia whilst working in an enclosed space. In PPE and wearing a breathing apparatus (BA) facemask, you will be required to negotiate a measured crawl-way within a set time. Half the route will be with clear vision and the other half with obscured vision. You will be required to perform specific tasks during the assessment.

Full instructions will be given prior to the commencement of the assessment.

You will have to complete the test within a specific time.

Equipment assembly (subject to Covid-19 guidelines)

This is an assessment of manual dexterity. You will be required to assemble and disassemble the KFRS safe access equipment currently held on operational fire appliances.

The assessment and equipment configuration will be fully explained/demonstrated before commencement of the assessment. Visual pictorial aids will be provided for candidates to refer to during assembly and make up.

You will have to complete the test within a specific time.

Equipment carry

This is an assessment of fitness, muscular strength and stamina. Wearing PPE, you will be required to:

• pick up the hose reel from a fire engine and run with it for one length (25 metres) to the cone, then jog back (25 metres) to the start.
• pick up two coiled 70mm red hoses (13.5 kg each) by the handles and carry them up and down the course for four lengths (100 metres), then place one back at the start
• pick up the remaining coiled 70 mm red hose by the centre lugs and carry at chest height down to the cone 25 metres away. Place it down and then jog three lengths (75 metres) to return to the start.
• pick up and carry the 2.4 metre suction hose (hard hose – 11 kg) and basket strainer (3 kg) for four lengths (100 metres), then place them back down and jog four lengths (100 metres) of the course.
• finally, pick up and carry the barbell (30 kg) up and down the course for four lengths (100 metres).
• you will have to complete the test within a specific time.

Fitness assessment

This is an assessment of cardiovascular fitness. Cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart, blood cells and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement. Its terms of measurement is VO2 max, which is expressed as millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute.

The VO2 max requirement for operational firefighting is 42.3 or above.

Kent Fire & Rescue Service now use the Beep Test to assess individuals’ fitness levels.

Group/Team Based Exercise

There will be a small number of group or team-based exercises built into the practical assessment days. These are designed to assess your behaviours when working together.

If you pass the initial selection tests and role-related tests, you will be invited to an interview. This will be held either at the station you have applied to join, or within one of our local offices. 

It is important that you consider whether you have the necessary behavioural competencies to be a firefighter . Kent Fire and Rescue Service has identified the behaviours required to be a firefighter

In accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Kent Fire and Rescue Service Code of Ethical Conduct, and other policies designed to protect employees and service users from discrimination and harassment, we expect all our employees to:

• actively promote equality, encourage a workplace culture of inclusivity and not to act in an unlawfully, prejudicial or discriminatory manner towards others.
• promote the health, safety, and welfare of both our members and our service users through adhering to our health and safety policies and all other relevant statutory requirements
• lead by example
• protect the confidentiality at all times of customers, partner organisations and other third parties
• comply with all IT security policies and procedures

You will also be expected to demonstrate the behaviours through the selection process and at interview. The National Fire Chiefs Council’s publication ‘NFCC Leadership Framework’ looks at ‘inspiring leadership in the fire and rescue service’. It sets out leadership and other behaviours, as well as helpful information for those who wish to develop a career with the fire service. We would recommend that you look at and read the sections entitled ‘Leading yourself’.

If you are unsuccessful after your interview, we will withdraw your application. You will however, be able to re-apply after 12 months.

After the interview stage, we will need you to undertake a medical. The medical will be carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service medical adviser and is to assess your general level of health, including weight, blood pressure and lung function. Candidates will also have a hearing test and an eyesight test.

A report may also be required from a hospital where you have received treatment, or from an independent specialist if the service medical adviser requires it. Your consent is required to access these records and it is a condition for your progression through the selection process that this consent is given as requested.

We will have advertised the times that we need you at a particular station. This is known as on call availability. As part of the process we will also discuss with you in more detail what availability you have to be on-call for us.  The times you can offer are as important as the hours, and will need to match our requirements. 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service have an equalities and fairness policy which governs our recruitment processes.

About your primary employer

If you have a main job (known as your primary employment), you will be required to provide details of this employment to us.

Employment with KFRS is regarded as secondary employment. You will be required to provide us details of your employment. Your employer will be asked by us to complete a consent form for you to undertake secondary employment with us. We will share information about any employment with KFRS with your employer on request.

KFRS will identify whether the nature of your primary employment has any potential conflict based on the Authority's obligations relating to working time and driving, health and safety legislation. You must inform your primary employer that you are applying to become an on-call firefighter.

You must consider the rest time between your primary and secondary employment when offering your availability to us.

• Is your primary job as a full time driver? ie. do you drive a goods vehicle which exceeds 3.5 tonnes or a passenger vehicle which carries more than 9 persons.

If you have answered yes to this question it is important that you seek guidance from your primary employer; where driving is primary to your role this may disqualify you from undertaking secondary employment.

Declaration of criminal offences

If you have a record of offence(s), this will not necessarily disqualify you as all applications are considered strictly on their merits. However, you are required to declare any offence for which the conviction is not yet 'spent' within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Incorporating the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [Exceptions] 1975 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 [Exceptions] [Amendment] Order 1986). You are advised to declare any charge that is pending; a subsequent conviction could lead to your dismissal from the Service.

Broadly, the Act provides for anyone who has ever been convicted of a criminal offence and not sentenced to more than 2.5 years in prison to become a 'Rehabilitated Person' at the end of the Rehabilitation period, provided there have been no further convictions. At the end of this period, the conviction is considered 'spent' and thus to be treated as if it never happened.

There is no requirement to disclose 'spent' convictions. However, in some situations applicants will be expected to declare their convictions, even if they are spent. Please contact Human Resources for further details.

These sentences have fixed rehabilitation periods:

* Including suspended sentences, youth custody (abolished 1988) and detention in a young offender institution.

Further guidance on the Act can be found in the Home Office Booklet 'A Guide to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974' issued by HM Stationery Office. If you are in any doubt about your declaration, you can get legal advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau, local Law Centre etc.

Note: Should the candidate knowingly provide any particulars given in the answers within the application form that are found to be false within the knowledge of the candidate or should there be any wilful omission or suppression of any material fact, the candidate will, if appointed, be liable to dismissal from Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

Employment Vetting (Enhanced DBS Check)

The Authority has determined that it requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check before it can guarantee employment.  This check will be undertaken in confidence with the applicant before an offer of appointment can be made, but after the selection process has been completed. A disclosure does not automatically exclude a person from being offered employment. 

Driving

If you hold a licence, you must inform us if your licence is endorsed, giving details to the nature of the offence, offence code (Examples: CD10 Driving without due care and attention, DR10 Drinking and driving) and also give details of the penalty (Example: £100 fine and number of penalty points and if you had to attend court, give details of outcome. Please see Rehabilitation Period on page 8. If you are successful with your application to join the Service you will be required to submit a copy of your license to Human Resources when requested.

Reference

You are asked to supply two employment references from your current or last employer where applicable.

• The reference's supplied should not be anyone that is related to you or resides with you.
• If you are still in full/part-time education, you should give the name of your College / University tutor to whom reference can be made.
• If you have never been in employment, then the names of a referee who knows you in some capacity may be substituted for that of your employer. e.g. volunteer co-coordinator, sports coach etc.

You should contact your referee to verify that they are willing to provide you a reference prior to submitting their name. Note: Serving Police Officers cannot give you a reference.

Work Permit (Asylum and Immigration Act 1996)

The Service is required by law to ensure that any persons it employs has the right or permission to reside or work in the United Kingdom. Any person to be offered employment will be required to produce relevant original documentation when requested.

Documentation

Failure to provide any of the documentation within the timescales set out within the selection process may result in your application not being taken forward. This includes references, employer authorisation, qualification evidence, availability and right to work documentation, DBS administration.

As their primary employer you would always get priority. We are always on hand to offer employers advice and support where we can. We recognise the importance of the support you lend your local crews and communities.

Prolonged incidents do of course occur, but crews are rotated so it is not usual for a crew to be out all night long. However it is recognised that extended periods of exertion can lead to accidents through tiredness and lack of concentration.

There are phones on the appliance and crew members are encouraged to call their employers with an estimated time of return – if however, they are out on a false alarm, they could be back within 20 minutes.

All firefighters are trained to a high standard and so injuries on incidents are rare. However should this happen we have policies in place for compensating the employee for any loss of earnings after Statutory Sick Pay.

We are always on hand to offer employers advice and support where we can. We recognise the importance of the support you lend your local crews and communities.