Is This Role For Me?
Eligibility
Communities and Local Government has laid down the following statutory requirements. You must be:
- A minimum of 18 years of age on appointment
- Of good character
- Of a level of aerobic fitness and strength to enable you to undertake firefighting duties.
- Able to pass medical and eyesight examinations to ensure you are fit to undertake firefighting duties.
As a Firefighter you should also be prepared to:
- Work in enclosed spaces
- Work at height
- Work outdoors
- Get wet during your work
- Get hot / cold whilst working
- Carry heavy equipment
- Work unsocial hours
- Work in situations where you may see blood, seriously injured, or dead people
- Deal sensitively with people in difficult situations
- Talk to people in the local community about fire safety
- Undertake written and practical assessments
A self-selection questionnaire is available to help you decide wether you have the potential to be a successful firefighter click here to complete.
Guidance on Health and Fitness
You will be assessed individually in relation to your health and fitness. To become a firefighter you will need to have a good level of fitness and general health. You must be able to undertake work that involves intense physical activity, often in conditions where it is more difficult, for example heat, water, arduous conditions.
All medical conditions will be assessed by the Occupational Health Doctor and your existing occupational health records will also be screened. All medical conditions will be assessed on an individual basis under the Disability Discrimination Act and the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974).
General guidelines on physical preparation for applicants intending to undertake the National Firefighter Selection Tests (NFSTs) is available here to download. It is important to note that good exercise training advice should be highly specific to you as an individual, and will depend upon your general health, age, current fitness level, previous training history, lifestyle and ultimate fitness goals.
Further information is also available at the Fire Fit Website.
Health and Safety
We endeavour to fulfil the obligations placed upon by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and expect our employees to do likewise with the obligations placed upon them. Some examples of requirements that are imposed on firefighters for health and safety reasons are as follows:-
- Hair: Must not impair the gas tightness of the facemask of breathing apparatus, nor must it impair vision or hearing. Long hair is to be tied up or pinned up so as to be clear of the ears and collar.
- Make-up: The use of make-up or hair preparations is not allowed while you are on duty.
- Jewellery: You must not wear rings, watches, bracelets or earrings while you are on operational duty.
- Alcohol & Substance Misuse Policy: Alcohol consumption is not allowed by Service personnel who are on duty or on call. Members of the Fire Service who have consumed alcohol are to make themselves unavailable for duty until the relevant period free of alcohol has passed. It should be borne in mind that alcohol can take a considerable time to be removed from the body and the effect varies from person to person.
