The following sections are designed to give you an indication of the recruitment process, what to expect and what will be required of you. The selection process spans a set period and is broken down into stages.
Application process
The first stage of the process is to submit a CV to apply for a role as an on-call firefighter. To do this please emailrecruitment@cambsfire.gov.uk, with the subject title: Application for on-call firefighter.
In the email can you please include:
The station you are applying to join
Your home address
Where you will be responding from (for instance if you plan to respond from work rather than home, please include the address)
Once your form has been submitted and accepted you will be sent an email advising you of the next steps including arranging a suitability meeting and fitness test. During the recruitment process you will be asked to provide documentary evidence which proves your right to work in the UK. Details of what we can accept as proof of right to work in the UK are outlined here.
Successful applicants will be required to complete a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the pre-employment checks.
Availability
Watch our short animation below to learn what 'availability' means to us.
Suitability meeting and fitness test
Once we have reviewed your application form and hours of availability, you will be invited to attend a suitability meeting and carry out the fitness test (Chester Treadmill Test) at your home station.
The Chester treadmill walking test was designed specifically for fire and rescue services by a professor of occupational health and fitness at the Centre for Exercise and Nutrition Science at Chester University.
The object of the test is to measure the Aerobic Capacity (Vo2 Max) of candidates. Aerobic fitness is the ability to carry out activities in all aspects of your social and occupational life without causing undue fatigue. This is a 12 minute progressive treadmill walking test to identify individuals who are capable (or not) of reaching the required fitness standard of 42 Vo2 Max. The test consists of walking at a specified and constant brisk pace to climb gradually increasing gradients from 0 to 15 degrees incline.
Once your predicted availability has been approved you will be invited to complete three paper-based aptitude tests at one of our host stations within the district you have applied for.
This stage involves completing a series of three fire service-related timed tests which are detailed below and will take approximately three hours in total to complete:
Understanding Information
As a firefighter you will need to rapidly understand and act on written information. This test explores your mental agility when interpreting text.
A selection of scenarios and their accompanying written materials, such as an email, newsletter, safety sign or information leaflet will be presented, which you will then be required to answer a series of multiple-choice questions on each material.
Working with Numbers
This test is designed to determine whether you have the mental arithmetic and basic maths skills needed to work as a firefighter. You will be required to interpret gauges and calculate hose volumes, often under pressure.
This is a multiple-choice test and comprises of a number of scenarios with accompanying numerical information such as graphs, charts, plans or tables.
A calculator is not permitted, but rough paper for workings out is allowed.
Situational Awareness and Problem Solving
This test is intended to assess your behaviour and reactions to certain scenarios and when exposed to different pressures.
You will be presented with a number of scenarios, all assessing how well you act to ensure the safety of yourself and others. This test is multiple-choice, and you are expected to select the option that most closely reflects the course of action you would take.
If you have previously completed the written aptitude tests or online aptitude tests, either as part of the on-call recruitment process or a previous wholetime recruitment process, you will not be required to complete them again.
If you are successful at the online tests you will be invited to attend an assessment day which will include the physical tests, interview and uniform fitting.
The assessment days are held at the Training Centre in Huntingdon and have been developed and specifically designed as single person tests.
The physical tests aim to assess your level of fitness, strength, stamina, co-ordination and manual dexterity. The tests also look at your ability to work at heights and in darkened confined spaces as well as your level of confidence in simulated exercises. These tests are designed to reflect operational practice.
You will be provided with personal protective equipment to complete the tests.
There are currently six occupational ability tests. Videos explaining and demonstrating each of the exercises can be viewed here, along with some ideas on how you can maintain and improve your fitness, strength and stamina.
Medical and eyesight assessment stage
If you are successful at the assessment stage you will be invited to attend a medical assessment with the Service Doctor and Occupational Health Team. This will take approximately 1 hour in total to complete. There are some medical conditions that may have an impact on your application. Download this document to find out more.
Medical
The purpose of the medical is to assess the general level of health, including weight, blood pressure and lung function to allow the Service doctor to make an informed medical decision as to whether a candidate is fit to undertake firefighting duties, allowing for any reasonable adjustments that may be made in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Candidates will also have a hearing, eyesight and urine test.
A report may also be required from a hospital where you have received treatment or an independent specialist if the Service doctor requires it. Your consent is required to access these records and in order for you to complete the selection process it is necessary that this consent is given as requested.
Eye test
Prior to attending this appointment, candidates should visit the opticians for an eyesight test. The visual entry standards for firefighters are as detailed below:
The applicant MUST have a minimum uncorrected distance visual acuity of 6/18 in the better eye and 6/24 in the worse eye.
Have a corrected visual acuity of at least 6/9 binocular with a minimum of 6/12 in the worse eye and read N12 at 30cm with both eyes open. Please note applicants can use glasses of an appropriate specification on the fire ground should they be needed to obtain this standard of vision.
Have normal binocular visual field determined by confrontation techniques or formal testing methods.
If you are signed off as fit for operational duties by the Service Nurse and Doctor at your medical appointment, we will allocate you to the next available course. Courses in 2024 are starting in January, April, July, and October.
Pre-employment checks
Prior to you joining us to start your initial training, we will issue you with a contract, new starter paperwork to complete, carry out a DBS check and request references covering the last three years, one of which must be your current employer.
