We are committed to helping you prepare for and will support you throughout the recruitment process.

Once you have registered your interest in the role you will be directed to a short engagement tool, designed to provide you with insights about the role, the responsibilities and commitment required. The questionnaire at the end will help you understand your fit with the role, following which you will be asked to register your interest.

The local station team will also enrol you in the Pre-Recruitment Engagement Programme (PREP).

As part of the Pre-Recruitment Engagement Programme you will be given a tour of your local community fire station, provided with an opportunity to receive coaching on the PST elements and have a chat with station based personnel to give you an insight on life as an on call firefighter.

When ready you will progress to the formal stages of the recruitment process which includes an assessment day.

Our firefighters work within a highly skilled team to respond to an array of challenges, including fires, road traffic collisions and floods.

The role can be physically demanding therefore it is essential that you have good-all-round physical fitness to enable you to be safe and effective in the role.

Fitness Assessment

Firefighters require an optimum level of physical fitness in addition to mental focus and resilience.  Your fitness will be assessed using the Multi-Stage Shuttle Run Test. You will need to complete up to level 8 shuttle 8 to meet the recruitment fitness standard of 42.3ml.kg-1.min-1.

Practical Selection Tests

The Practical Selection Tests (PSTs) are designed to assess whether you have the ability to carry out the more physical aspects of the role of a firefighter and they closely reflect the wide range of physical tasks carried out on a daily basis.

Below are filmed examples of the tests.

You will be advised about which tests are applicable to the role you are applying for. Your calculation ability will also be assessed.

This is a test of confidence whilst working at height. An Instructor will first demonstrate the test. Candidates will then commence the test, demonstrating the correct ‘leg lock’ just above ground level before commencing the test. Wearing full Personal protective equipment (PPE), including a harness attached to a fall-arrest system, candidates must ascend a 13.5 metre ladder, extended to the third floor of the drill tower to two-thirds of its height and demonstrate a ‘leg lock’.

The candidate will then lean back with arms outstretched to the side and look down to the Test Instructor to identify and call out a symbol that they will hold up. The candidate will then descend in the correct manner demonstrated.

This test comprises an apparatus which simulates a standard aluminium 10.5/13.5m Fire Service Ladder assesses physical ability and upper body strength. You will be required to extend the ladder using the extending line until it is at full extension. It will automatically pawl (lock in position).

You will then be required to release the pawl and house (lower) the ladder in a controlled manner. Extending and lowering the ladder in this manner equates to controlling the weight of approximately 26kg.

This is a test of lower and upper body strength.  Candidates wearing full PPE are required to move a 55 kg casualty.  The candidates will move the casualty a set distance, around a cone and back to the start point. This test will be timed.

This is a test of confidence, agility and possible claustrophobia whilst working in an enclosed space. Candidates wearing full PPE and a Breathing Apparatus facemask will be required to negotiate a measured crawl-way within a set time. The crawl-way is a series of tunnels.

Candidates are required to feel with their hands to the left, right, above and below to find the route. There are also obstacles to negotiate along the way. Candidates will work as part of a team and will also be assessed on their communication and team working skills.

This is a test of manual dexterity. Candidates will be required to assemble and disassemble a ram unit wearing full PPE. The pieces will be laid out in the correct order and the photos will be displayed next to the assembly point.

Once the unit has been assembled completely and correctly, the Assessor will then give you the signal to start disassembling the unit in reverse order, placing each item back on the board in the correct position. 

This is a test of aerobic fitness, muscular strength and stamina. Candidates wearing full PPE will be required to:

• Pick up the hose reel from an appliance 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 hose by the handles and carry them up and down the course for four lengths (100 metres), then place one back at the start. Weight of each hose is 13.5kg
• With the remaining coiled 70mm red hose, pick it up 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.  Weight of hose is 13.5kg
• Pick up and carry the 2.4 metre suction hose (hard hose) and basket strainer for four lengths (100 metres), then place them back down and jog four lengths (100 metres) of the course. Weight of hose is 11kg | Weight of basket strainer is 3kg

Finally candidates will pick up and carry the powerbag up and down the course four lengths (100 metres).  Weight: 27.5kg