Surrey FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process

Our step by step guide to the Surrey FRS Firefighter Recruitment Process is designed to help guide you through the process of becoming a Wholetime Firefighter in this area!

If you’re not sure if a Firefighter career is for you why not book a place on one of Surrey FRS’s ‘Have a Go’ days? While completing one isn’t a prerequisite they can really help you out in the application and assessment process by giving you a hands-on experience of what the role actually involves.

Currently these events are being held virtually, via Zoom.

Step 1 – Online Application

When recruitment is open the application form will be accessible from the Surrey FRS website.

 Make sure you don’t miss out on finding out when this happens by signing up for our Firefighter Recruitment Job alerts

The application form contains the following sections:

Step 2 – The Online Tests

Next you’ll 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.

There will be five tests to complete:

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. The SHL Workplace Safety Questionnaire assesses your behaviours and competencies with regard to safety in the working environment.

Step 3 – Fitness and Physical Testing

If you’re successful following the online assessments, you’ll will be invited to attend a fitness and physical assessment.

You’ll also need to perform an aerobic fitness test to allows the FRS to assess your ability to perform physical activity for prolonged periods which.

This will take the form of a treadmill walk, with the incline being adjusted in increments throughout the test.

If you progress to the medical assessment stage please note that you may be asked to redo this assessment to demonstrate that you’ve maintained your fitness levels.

There are also various physical tests you’ll have to pass. 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:

You’ll be supplied with the appropriate protective clothing.

Step 4 – The Interview

If you make it through the fitness test you’ll be invited back to the assessment centre for a one to one 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.

The Surrey FRS Firefighter recruitment process interview is assessed against the Leadership Behavioural Framework.

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’ll also be asked to prepare a short presentation as part of your interview, and will be given information on the topic in advance to allow you time to prepare.

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 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 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:

As mentioned you may also be asked to resit the fitness test to ensure you’ve maintained your levels of fitness throughout the process.

The final pre-employment checks will involve checking the information on your application form, contacting your references, and performing a standard criminal record check.