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