Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) aims to contribute to securing a safe society by reducing the incidence of death, injury and damage to property from fire and other emergencies.
Fulltime Firefighter: Recruitment Process
1.0 Latest Update: Current Recruitment
Wholetime Firefighter Vacancies:
We are not recruiting for Wholetime Firefighters at the present time. We would like to thank you for your interest and suggest you keep referring to our website for future campaigns.
Do You Really Want to be a Firefighter?
If you are unsure whether a Firefighter role is for you please review the the following section which may be able to assist you in your decision.
Being a firefighter is challenging and can involve a number of situations not commonly found in other jobs. Please take a moment to answer these questions with YES or NO.
Are you prepared to...
If you have answered NO to any of the questions listed above, we strongly suggest that you think seriously about whether being a firefighter is right for you. (These questions are for your own use - please do not send your answers back to us!
Details of the recruitment process can be found below:
2.0 Summary of Recruitment Process
What Is Involved ?
The following information summarises how our recruitment process works...
- Application Form.
- Ability Tests.
- Physical Tests.
- Interview.
- Medical / Criminal Records Check.
- Guidance on Minimum Standards Requirement.
2.1 Application Form
Completing the application form will require a lot of effort from you, so you may like to start thinking about it now. An example application form is available here. (N.B. You will not be able to make an application using this version of the form).
> > > Download the Sample Application Form [PDF]
If you would find it difficult to complete Section 6 neatly in your own handwriting, you may use the substitute pages 16-21 ( click here to download them ) to type your response. You will need to print out the pages and attach them securely to your application form. The fact that your responses are typed will have no influence, (positive or negative), in the short listing process.
2.2 Ability Tests
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a testing session (comprising of 3 written ability tests and a questionnaire). These tests will take place on the dates indicated below. Further information about the ability tests can be found by consulting the Practice Booklet.
> > > Download the Practice Booklet (Ability Tests) [PDF]
> > > Download the Preparation and Practice Booklet [PDF]
No tests are currently scheduled.
2.3 Physical Tests
Candidates who are successful in the written tests and questionnaire will be invited to take a series of tests designed to assess fitness, strength, stamina, coordination, ability to understand and apply information, dexterity, and ability to work at heights and in confined spaces:
- Ladder Climb - Candidates wear a safety harness and ascend two thirds of the way up a 13.5 metre ladder and take a leg-lock. They are then asked to lean backwards and outstretch their arms to the sides, and then whilst looking over their shoulder they are to say out loud what symbol is being shown by the assessor at ground level. This will test confidence at heights.
- Casualty Evacuation - Candidates drag a 55kg dummy backwards around a 30m course, by a carrying handle fixed to the dummy. This will test upper and lower body strength and co-ordination.
- Ladder Lift - Candidates raise the bar of a ladder lift simulator to the required height with 15kg of weight placed on the simulator cradle, which gives a total lift load of 24kg. This will test upper and lower body strength and co-ordination.
- Enclosed Space - Candidates put on a facemask and with un-obscured vision make their way through a crawl and walkway. Once inside the crawl/walkway they have their vision obscured and return to the start. This will test confidence, agility and stamina.
- Equipment Assembly - Candidates are given a demonstration of the test before having to assemble and disassemble a number of components to make an item of equipment which will test manual dexterity.
- Equipment Carry - Candidates carry items of equipment up and down a course between two cones placed 25m apart to test their upper and lower body strength and co-ordination.
2.4 Interview
Candidates who successfully complete the physical tests will be invited to interview. You will be asked questions designed to find out how you have used personal qualities and attributes that are important for Firefighters:
- Working with Others.
- Commitment to Diversity and Integrity.
- Commitment to Self Development.
- Commitment to Excellence.
- Communicating Effectively.
> > > Download the Practice Booklet (Interview) [PDF]
> > > Download the Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs) leaflet [PDF]
2.5 Medical / Criminal Records Check
Before appointment all applicants are required to undertake a full medical examination by our Occupational Health Physician to ensure that they are physically capable of working as a Firefighter. This medical examination will include the Chester Step Test; screening for use of illegal drugs and alcohol misuse; in addition, you will also undergo an Eye Test administered by an Optometrist; and be submitted for a Criminal Records Check as the role involves contact with children.
> > > Download the Chester Step Test Video [16.5Mb]
2.6 Guidance on Minimum Standards Requirement
Applicants, who do not reach the minimum standards required at any stage of the recruitment process, will not be invited to complete the next stage, but are welcome to reapply at a later date.
3.0 FAQs
The following list details some frequently asked questions about trainee firefighters...
How old do I need to be to join the Fire Service?
You may apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months but you have to be at least 18 years of age to be appointed. There is no upper age limit.
How fit do I need to be a Firefighter?
You will be required to have a good level of all-round fitness. Details of the physical test are available in Recruitment Process section on this website.
How long does the recruitment process take?
The process on average takes 6 months from the date the application is issued to the date of commencing the training course. We will endeavour to keep candidates updated at each stage of the selection process.
If I’m unsuccessful at any stage will I be able to obtain feedback?
Unfortunately, due to the volume of candidates that apply it is not possible to provide feedback on individual applications.
I have a conviction may I still apply?
With the exception of minor driving offences, if you are subject to a criminal conviction, not considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, your application would be rejected.
I am colour blind, can I still apply?
Individuals with protanopia, deuteranopia, monochromatism and tritanopia/tritanomaly are unfit for service as a firefighter. Individuals with protanomaly rarely meet the required standards while deuteronamalous individuals should be safe for firefighting. Whilst diagnosis of the defect is an important part of the assessment, subsequent confirmation of severity is essential to determine whether they are colour safe. Should you wish to discuss this further please contact the recruitment department by emailing recruitment@rbfrs.co.uk
How long is the training?
You will normally spend one week (non-residential) initially at our training centre in Whitley Wood Road, Reading for an induction. You will then spend approximately 13 weeks residential training at Devon Fire and Rescue Service, although this location is subject to change. This is followed by an additional 1 – 2 weeks (non-residential) training back at our training centre before being posted to a Station within Berkshire.
What are working hours / shifts?
The shift pattern is 2 day shifts, followed by 2 night shifts then 4 days off duty. This cycle is then repeated. The day shifts are 0900 hours to 1800 hours and the night shifts are 1800 hours to 0900 hours.
The only exception is Wokingham Fire Station whereby the hours are 0700 – 18.15 4 days per week followed by 4 days off, and 1 extra day worked per month.
Can I choose which Fire Station I am posted to?
You will be asked for your preference of which station you would like to be posted to, but, whilst every effort is made to place trainees at their preferred station the final decision will be based on the operational needs of the service.
Where can I get more information?
All the information should be available on our website, however, should you have any further queries please email recruitment@rbfrs.co.uk
4.0 Further Guidance
You may find the information in the following documents useful:
> > > Download Interview Tips [PDF]
> > > Download the Recruitment Process [PDF]
> > > Download the FAQs for Wholetime Firefighters [PDF]
> > > Download Firefighter PQAs [PDF]
> > > Download Ability Test Tips [PDF]
> > > Visit the website... www.direct.gov.uk/extraordinary
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