Northamptonshire FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process
Interested in applying? Our guide to the Northamptonshire FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process is here to help!
Step 1
The Online Application
The application form is accessible when recruitment is open. You’ll enter your personal details and answer some basic screening questions, designed to make sure that you understand and meet the basic job requirements.
Make sure you don’t miss out on finding out when the next recruitment drive is live (for Northamptonshire or any other UK FRS!) by signing up for our Firefighter Recruitment text alerts!
To apply you must live in Northamptonshire (proof of address will be required at the assessment stages) and have a full driving licence.
If you don’t have traditional qualifications in Maths and English, you will be asked to sit the level 2 Maths and English qualification before a firm offer of employment is made. You will also need to study for and pass the Institute of Fire Engineering (IFE) level 2 Operations Exams as part of your pre-employment training.
Step 2
The Online Tests
If your initial application is successful you’ll then be asked to complete a series of online behavioural and psychometric tests. These are best completed on a tablet or computer, rather than on a smartphone.
You’ll receive an email with details of how to complete the tests – please keep an eye on your spam folder in case it slips through the net!
There will be four tests to complete:
- Dependability and Safety
- Situational Judgement
- Verbal Reasoning
- Calculation (Numerical Reasoning)
The questions will have multiple choice answers, and you’ll be given a specified amount of time to complete the verbal reasoning and calculation tests.
The Dependability and Safety test is similar to the more traditional Behavioural Styles Questionnaire in that it asks questions designed to give insight into your character and attitude.
Step 3
Physical Job Related Tests (JRTs)
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.
The physical tests include:
- Hose running
- Ladder lift simulator assessment
- Equipment carry
- Assembly ladder extension
- Casualty evacuation
- Ladder ascent descent
- Equipment assembly
- Ladder extension
- Breathing Apparatus (BA)
- Dead lift
Step 5
The Interview
If you make it through the physical assessment tests you’ll be invited to the final stage, a competency based interview.
In these types of interview you’ll be asked questions relating toy our 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.
Again, it’s really important that you prepare adequately for the day – forewarned is forearmed!
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.
You generally won’t have long to wait before the FRS informs you if you’ve got the job! They will let you know either way, but even if you haven’t made it on this attempt you’ve done amazingly well to get so far.
If you’re successful at the interview day and have been offered the job, there are some final checks that the FRS will need to run.
Final Checks
You’ll be asked to attend a medical and fitness assessment with the Occupational Health department.
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 checking the information on your application form, contacting your references, and performing a standard criminal record check.
