Norfolk FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process
Looking to begin your Firefighter career with Norfolk FRS? Our guide to the Norfolk FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process is here to help.
The current closing date for applications is 26 July 2020 but if a large amount of applications are submitted the FRS may close the recruitment campaign before this date.
Requirements
In addition to the basic firefighter requirements there are some conditions you’ll need to meet.
You’ll need to:
- Be at least 18 years old when you start your training on 1 February 2021. There is no upper age limit!
- Have GSCEs at Grade C or above (or the equivalent) in Maths and English.
Norfolk FRS don’t have the postcode restrictions of some other Fire and Rescue Services so welcomes applicants from other areas too.
Step 1 – The Application Form and Ability Tests
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.
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.
The tests will include Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Situational Judgement, and the questions will have multiple choice answers. You’ll be given a specified amount of time to complete them – it should take you around three hours.
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 2 – The Fitness and Physical Testing
You’ll next be given a date to come along and sit various physical tests. Fitness is key to the Firefighter role.
They’re made up of activities designed to assess your fitness, strength, stamina and coordination, based on scenarios you might encounter on the job such as heights and enclosed spaces.
The Norfolk FRS Firefighter Recruitment process uses the multi stage shuttle run, or ‘bleep 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 3 – The Interview
Following successful completion of the physical and fitness tests you’ll be invited to the final stage, a competency-based interview.
This interview has been designed to find out how good a match you’ll be for the role, and 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.
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.
