Hampshire FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process
Do you live in the Hampshire area? Are you dreaming of a Firefighter career? Our step by step guide to the Hampshire FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process is here to help you on your way!
Requirements
In addition to the basic firefighter requirements there are some conditions you’ll need to meet.
You’ll need to:
- Live in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight at the time of application (proof of address will be required)
- Have GSCEs at Grade C or above (or the equivalent) in Maths and English OR successfully complete the online verbal and numerical ability test.
Step 1 – The Application Form
You’ll be asked in your initial online application to enter your personal details and answer some basic screening questions, designed to make sure that you understand and meet the basic job requirements.
You’ll also be required to answer four questions with evidence in the answers that supports your application. You can use examples from both your personal and working experiences.
The questions ask you to explain or describe:
- How you inspire and challenge yourself and others.
- How you are fair and honest in what you say and do.
- How you can listen and act with empathy.
- How you recognise the contribution people make in the workplace
Remember, there’s a word limit of 300 words per question.
It’s a good idea to practice, and write or type out your answers beforehand to make sure you hit the word count!
Step 2 – The Online Tests
If your initial application is successful you’ll be asked to complete a series of psychometric tests.
These online ability tests assess your skills in reading and processing numerical and verbal information quickly and accurately.
If you’ve provided proof of GCSE Maths and English or equivalent you’ll be exempt from this stage.
The tests will include Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning, and the questions will have multiple choice answers. You’ll be given a specified amount of time to complete them.
It’s really important to prepare for these types of tests! They can seem daunting if you’ve never came across them before, but you can take a look at some sample questions here.
Step 3 – The Fitness and Physical Testing
There are also various physical tests you’ll have to pass. Fitness is a crucial part of the Firefighter role.
These are made up of activities designed to assess your fitness, strength, stamina and coordination, as well as seeing how you cope with tricky situations you might encounter on the job such as heights and enclosed spaces.
First, you will be asked to complete a medical declaration, before taking part in a timed fitness test in the form of the Chester Treadmill Test.
If successful you’ll move on to the physical tests, which include:
- Enclosed Space Test
- Ladder Climb
- Casualty Evacuation
- Ladder Lift
- Ladder Extension
- Equipment Carry
- Equipment Assembly
All necessary protective equipment will be provided!
Step 4 – The Interview
If you make it through the physical assessment tests you’ll be invited to the final stage, a one to one interview.
The interview will be a strengths based interview linking to the strengths required in the firefighter role. It’s been designed to find out how good a match you’ll be for the role, and there will be a predefined list of questions and scoring criteria.
In these types of interview you’ll be asked questions relating to your behaviour on certain occasions or in specific circumstances, which you’ll then need to provide evidence for by using concrete examples from your past work and life experience.
This is your best chance to convince the panel that you are the candidate that they want to employ.
It’s really important that you prepare adequately for the day!
Spend a bit of time thinking about what you might be asked, and write down your responses so that they’re fresh in your mind before the interview.
Usually, you won’t have long to wait before the FRS informs you if you’ve got the job! Remember, even if you haven’t made it on this attempt you’ve done very well to get this far.
Step 5 – Final Checks
You’ll be asked to undertake a medical and fitness assessment.
The medical is a general assessment to check that you’re fit for firefighter duties, and includes looking at your:
- Hearing
- Lung function
- Eyes
- Grip strength
- Blood pressure
The final pre-employment checks will involve double-checking the information on your application form, contacting your references, and performing a standard criminal record check.
