These web pages provide a guide to recruitment and roles within RBFRS, including information on wholetime (fulltime) and retained (reserve) firefighting, control operators, and support staff. Use the various links to navigate to the relevant sections for further information.
Fulltime Firefighter: Recruitment Process
1. Latest Update: Current Recruitment
Wholetime Firefighter Vacancies:
Due to high volumes of calls all our application packs for Wholetime Firefighters have been allocated and therefore lines are closed. 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. Summary of Recruitment Process
What Is Involved ?
The following information summarises how our recruitment process works...
2a. 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.
2b. 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 8th and 9th December 2008. 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]
Tests are due to take place on 7th and 8th December 2009.
2c. 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:
2d. 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:
> > > Download the Practice Booklet (Interview) [PDF]
> > > Download the Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs) leaflet [PDF]
2e. 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; 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.
2f. 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. Further Guidance
You may find the information in the following documents useful:
> > > Download Interview Tips [PDF]
> > > Download the Recruitment Process [PDF]
> > > Download Firefighter PQAs [PDF]
> > > Download Ability Test Tips [PDF]
[ Return to top of page ]
Wholetime Firefighter Vacancies:
Due to high volumes of calls all our application packs for Wholetime Firefighters have been allocated and therefore lines are closed. 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. 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.
2a. 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.
2b. 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 8th and 9th December 2008. 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]
Tests are due to take place on 7th and 8th December 2009.
2c. 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.
- Casualty Evacuation - Candidates drag a 55kg dummy backwards around a 30m course, by a carrying handle fixed to the dummy.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Equipment Carry - Candidates carry items of equipment up and down a course between two cones placed 25m apart.
2d. 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]
2e. 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; 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.
2f. 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. Further Guidance
You may find the information in the following documents useful:
> > > Download Interview Tips [PDF]
> > > Download the Recruitment Process [PDF]
> > > Download Firefighter PQAs [PDF]
> > > Download Ability Test Tips [PDF]
[ Return to top of page ]
Quick Links
Use these links to find out more about wholetime (fulltime) firefighting.
• Wholetime Firefighting - Home
• Job Profile
• Dealing with Emergencies
• Entry Requirements
• Recruitment Process
• Training
• Conditions of Service
• Promotion
• Pay Scales
• Recruitment Awareness
• Fitness Training
• Equal Opportunities
• Further Information
• Enquire Online
• Retained Firefighting - Home
• Control Operators
• Support Staff
• Current Vacancies
• Wholetime Firefighting - Home
• Job Profile
• Dealing with Emergencies
• Entry Requirements
• Recruitment Process
• Training
• Conditions of Service
• Promotion
• Pay Scales
• Recruitment Awareness
• Fitness Training
• Equal Opportunities
• Further Information
• Enquire Online
• Retained Firefighting - Home
• Control Operators
• Support Staff
• Current Vacancies
