The application portal for Full-time Firefighters is now closed.

Please note that recruitment for On-Call Firefighters is ongoing and you can register online here.

Stage 1 – Online Registration

During the online registration process you will be asked to provide your personal details and to complete a realistic job preview which allows you to self-assess your suitability for the role – the results of the realistic job preview are private and for your reference and consideration only.

If you choose to proceed, you will then be asked to answer some basic questions to assess your eligibility to apply.

Eligibility Assessment

In order to be eligible to apply you will need to evidence that you are:

• Aged 18 or over – there is no upper age limit
• Able to prove you have the right to work in the UK
• Physically, mentally and medically fit enough to pass the national selection tests and medical  assessment
• Able to drive with a valid driving licence
• Able to achieve satisfactory results to a basic DBS check – you are required to disclose information about any unspent convictions; to find out if a conviction is unspent visit www.disclosurecalculator.org.uk
• Able to demonstrate personal qualities and attributes that are aligned to our Values – information about our Values is available on our website
• Willing to commit to our Welsh language scheme which requires all new recruits to achieve a minimum of level 2 Welsh language speaking skills within a 12 month probation period (if not already demonstrated on application) – full support and training will be provided as appropriate.  Welsh level 2 requires that you can; understand the gist of conversations in work, respond to simple job-related requests and requests for factual information, ask simple questions and understand simple responses, express opinions in a limited way as long as the topic is familiar, understand instructions when simple language is used.

Once you have completed the Eligibility Assessment we will contact you to confirm your eligibility and the next steps for those who are eligible.

Please note that CVs or any other form of application will not be accepted.

Stage 2 – Online Assessment

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will be invited via e-mail to complete the full online assessment. The online assessment process involves completing a Behavioural Styles Questionnaire, which explores your preferred behaviours in a working environment - no revision or additional study is required for this element.  You will also complete a Situational Judgement Test which measures your judgement and decision making skills in situations that are typical for the role - no knowledge or experience as a Firefighter is required to complete this test and no prior revision is needed.

Stage 3 – Written Ability Assessment

Should you successfully complete the online assessment, you will be invited to attend the Working with Information Tests (WWI) at a fire service premises.  The Working with Information Tests include various elements such as, understanding information, working with numbers, problem solving etc. You can access information to assist you in your preparation here.

The National Firefighter Ability Practice Booklet

The National Firefighter Questionnaire Practice Booklet

If you are a currently serving competent Firefighter, employed by a Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service, you may be fast-tracked through this stage.

Stage 4 – Physical Ability Assessment

If successful at Stage 3, you will be invited to attend the Physical and Practical Assessment day (PP).  The tests on this day are designed to assess your level of physical fitness in line with requirements of the role.

More information on how to prepare for the physical and practical tests safely

Firefighting can be a physically demanding and hazardous activity with potential for exposure to high physiological and environmental thermal loads. To ensure effective and safe operational performance an appropriate level of physical fitness is essential.

If you are a currently serving competent Firefighter, employed by a Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service, you may be fast-tracked through this stage.

Welsh Assessment

The ability to show basic Welsh language courtesy skills are a requirement of this post and ideally candidates will be able to demonstrate Level 2 Welsh on application; however, this is not essential and non-Welsh speakers will not be disadvantaged.

Your Welsh language skills will be assessed during the interview process, either by having an interview through the medium of Welsh or by completing a short Welsh language assessment.  The results of the Welsh language assessment will then be used by the Training and Development Department to ensure that successful candidates are given the appropriate support and guidance to achieve Level 2 Welsh within their probation period.

As Welsh is not an essential criteria, it may be that your Welsh Assessment takes place at an earlier or later stage of the process depending on our resources.

Stage 5 – Selection Interview

If successful at Stage 4, you will be invited to attend a Selection Interview (SI).  During the interview you will be asked a series of questions which are designed to measure your personal qualities and attributes. Please click Info on the PQAs required.

You will also be asked some questions regarding your knowledge and understanding of the Firefighter role and will be assessed throughout the interview on how effectively you communicate.  You can choose to be interviewed in Welsh or English.

Stage 6 – Medical and Pre-Employment Checks

If successful at Stage 5, you will be invited to attend a Pre-Employment Medical with our Occupational Health Service.  Your Medical can only be booked once you have evidenced that you meet the appropriate eyesight standards.

You will be required to have an Eyesight Standards form completed by a qualified optometrist.  You may be requested to provide this at an earlier stage of the Recruitment Process to avoid delays and in some cases to avoid disappointment at a late stage should the appropriate eyesight standards not be met.

The main eyesight requirements are:

• A minimum visual acuity of, right eye 6.9, left eye 6.9
• Good colour vision (you will be required to complete colour vision assessments if you have a colour vision impairment)
• If Laser eye surgery has been performed, applications will not be considered for a minimum of 12 months after the date of the procedure.

If you are unsure whether you meet these requirements, you are advised to seek advice from a qualified optometrist as soon as possible. In addition to any preliminary eye sight assessments, detailed eyesight tests may be taken during the medical stage of the process.

Firefighters may be exposed to extreme physical and psychological demands in hostile and dangerous environments. In order to comply with relevant statutory provisions, the medical screening for Firefighters is rigorous. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Fire and Rescue Service must reduce risk so far as is reasonably practicable. This means a medical condition giving rise to reasonably foreseeable occupational risk would not be acceptable. Medical suitability is determined by an individual assessment. For practical reasons, this cannot be undertaken until the later stages of the Recruitment Process. The nature and effect of medical conditions may vary and it is therefore not possible to confirm medical conditions that would be unacceptable prior to an individual medical assessment. However, if you have a medical condition or a history of a medical condition which might present problems, the following general guidance should help you consider your medical suitability before applying.

A medical condition or functional limitation which, despite any reasonable adjustments, gives rise to significantly increased occupational risk of the following is unacceptable:

• Sudden collapse or sudden incapacitation
• Impaired judgement or altered awareness
• Substantial physical or psychological injury/ill health
• Any other effect which would pose a substantial health and safety risk to yourself or others

The individual assessment will involve due consideration of any opinions or medical reports you may wish to submit. However, the decision on the significance of any risks identified will rest with the Fire and Rescue Services.

Pre-Employment Checks

You will be asked to complete a Basic DBS criminal record check.  If the results are unsatisfactory* (*if you have undeclared unspent convictions) you will be withdrawn from the Recruitment Process.

In line with the Service’s Values and in compliance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Service does not require you to disclose details of any ‘spent’ convictions for this recruitment.  To confirm if a conviction is ‘spent’ or ‘unspent’ please visit www.disclosurecalculator.org.uk.

You will also be asked to provide the name and address of two referees, one of which should be your current or most recent employer.  If the references received are unsatisfactory, further enquiries may be made before your appointment can be continued.

Stage 7 – Appointment

Should you be successful in the Recruitment Process, any offer of employment will be conditional upon several factors (these factors will be noted within an employment offer letter, but will include the completion of compulsory training courses and the completion of a probationary period).  If any of the conditional factors prove unsatisfactory then the offer of employment may be withdrawn.