Selection Process
Medical and Other Tests
If successful at interview and required to attend a training course, you will be asked to attend a medical where you will be examined by a member of the Service Occupational Health Team. You will complete a questionnaire looking at your medical history and complete the following tests:
- Hearing Test
- Aerobic Capacity Assessment
- Lung Function
- Physical Stamina
- Eye Test (completed at offsite Optician)
- General tests based on your completed medical questionnaire
- Substance Misuse Test
It is important that you do not complete any exercise or consume alcohol or caffeine immediately prior to the medical.
References will only be requested if successful at interview. You will need to supply one personal referee and details or your current or most recent employer.
Successful Appointment
If you pass all stages of the recruitment process, you can be considered as successful in your application for the role of Wholetime Firefighter.
It may be that although you have been successful in your application and have passed all the necessary tests and interview, the Fire and Rescue Service where you wish to be placed does not have any vacancies at that time. If this is the case your details will be held on a waiting list for a specified period of time. You will be notified once a vacancy becomes available and invited to a medical (references will also be taken). Subject to satisfactory medical and references you will be invited onto the next available training programme.
Prior to commencing the training programme, some Fire and Rescue Services may invite you to attend a number of 'Fitness Days'. This will give you an insight into the components of the firefighter training programme.
As a Firefighter the training will be challenging but enjoyable and each North East Fire and Rescue Service coordinate their own comprehensive training programme which can last up to 16 weeks. Part of this may include on the job training.
