| To become a Fire Fighter in the UK is a highly | | | | Entry tests to become a Fire Fighter include written |
| rewarding experience. A different challenge each day | | | | tests, physical fitness tests, practical tests, an |
| with exciting and varied work that really makes a | | | | interview and a medical and eyesight test. To move |
| difference. How to become a Fire Fighter in the UK? | | | | on to the next stage you must pass the stage |
| Well that is quite a challenge in itself. | | | | before. There are five stages in the process to |
| Hundreds of men and women apply each year to | | | | become a Fire Fighter in the UK :- Completion of The |
| become a Fire Fighter in the UK. The reality is that | | | | Fire Service Application Form - this is a very detailed |
| the majority are unsuccessful. The common theme | | | | application form measured against a national standard |
| with those that were successful revolves around | | | | of Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQA's). The |
| putting a great deal of effort, preparation, and | | | | PQA's are a set of competencies judged to be those |
| research time in before they applied to become a | | | | of an acceptable level for the role of a UK Firefighter. |
| Fire Fighter. Many serving Fire Fighters took a number | | | | The next stage is the Firefighter Psychological tests |
| of years to get their dream job in the Fire Service. | | | | -this requires a number of written psychometric tests |
| Being one step ahead is the key, better prepared | | | | to be carried out. They include the National Firefighter |
| than the next applicant, and knowing what to expect | | | | questionnaire, a test on working with numbers, one |
| having practiced and trained for the recruitment | | | | on understanding information, and situational |
| process. | | | | awareness and problem solving test. |
| The recruitment process is quite involved to say the | | | | If you are successful at the Psychological tests you |
| least. Now a National standardised recruitment | | | | will then undertake the Fire Service Fitness Test - a |
| procedure is in place for all applicants applying to | | | | number of tests that judge your level of fitness and |
| become a Firefighter all over the UK. This is a | | | | ability to become a firefighter. The role of a UK Fire |
| welcome change that levels the playing field for all | | | | Fighter is both physically and mentally demanding and |
| applicants and gives each and every potential Fire | | | | a high level of fitness is required. |
| Fighter recruit a fair chance at the process. | | | | The following stage is the Fire Service Interview - an |
| The requirements to become a Firefighter in the UK | | | | interview lasting for around an hour that is based |
| are pretty easy. You need to have a good level of | | | | around questions to assess your suitability to become |
| physical fitness and be in good health. You need a | | | | a Firefighter using the PQA's as a benchmark for the |
| reasonable standard of eyesight and colour | | | | questions posed. |
| perception. Some forms of slight colour blindness are | | | | Finally the Fire Service Medical and Eyesight tests - |
| accepted. You also have to be over 18 years old | | | | where you will undergo a full medical examination by |
| upon starting the job, however, you can apply from | | | | the Occupational Health Department. This is an |
| 17 years and ten months old. You will be considered | | | | assessment of your medical and eyesight fitness to |
| in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act if you | | | | do the role of Fire Fighter in the UK. When you have |
| have no unspent convictions. Every case is | | | | been successful at all of the stages you will be made |
| considered on its own circumstances should you be | | | | an offer of conditional employment subject to |
| successful in the application process to become a Fire | | | | references being taken up and Criminal Records |
| Fighter in the UK. | | | | checks. |