The firefighter recruitment process

The wholetime firefighter recruitment process is a structured, multi-stage journey designed to be fair, consistent and accessible for everyone. From initial registration through to final assessment, each stage helps us understand your strengths, potential and suitability for the role. It also gives you the chance to learn more about what it’s like working for Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) as a wholetime firefighter. This process can take between four and eight months.

We understand that the recruitment process may seem daunting, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.

When recruitment opens, you will begin by registering your interest and completing a series of online sifting stages. These stages are straightforward and designed to help us manage high volumes of applications efficiently while ensuring every candidate is assessed fairly and consistently. You will receive clear instructions at each step, along with information on how to access support if you need it.

All online stages can be completed using a computer, laptop or tablet. Please note that they are not compatible with smartphones. If you do not have access to suitable IT equipment, you can contact our recruitment team at [email protected] for support.

Please check your email regularly, so you do not miss any updates or deadlines.

We wish you the best of luck in your application to become part of the next generation of wholetime firefighters at AF&RS.

Stage 1: Eligibility and registration

Once recruitment opens, you will be able to access the registration and eligibility screening stage. The registration form will take up to 15 minutes.

You must:

• Be able to work in the UK without any restrictions. We will require you to provide evidence of this as part of our onboarding process.
• Be aged 18 or over at the start of the training school.
• If you hold a full UK driving licence you must have no more than 3 penalty points. If you do not hold a full UK licence, then you will need to achieve this within your probation period.

Stage 2: Online questionnaires

If eligible, you will receive an email with a link to the and confirmation of the closing date and time. Please regularly check your emails, including spam and junk folders, to make sure you don’t miss the strict deadline. You should allow at least 1.5 hours to complete all assessments.

All the online stages should be completed by yourself, alone and unassisted. We will be conducting verification tests in exam conditions later in the process.

Capture

This is an image-based assessment that looks at your values.

Factors

This is a behavioural questionnaire that looks at your workstyle preferences and motivators.

Briefing for Participants – Factors+ (492kB pdf)

Firefighter Dilemmas (Situational Judgement Test)

This test assesses your judgement and decision making skills in relation to job-relevant situations. You will be presented a series of scenarios and four possible outcomes for you to rate in terms of its effectiveness of addressing the scenario. This is not a timed assessment.

Firefighter Dilemmas- Briefing for Participants (614kB pdf)

Mindgage

Mindgage consists of a series of tasks designed to measure specific areas of cognitive ability such as problem solving and numerical ability. These assessments are timed. If you require additional time for these, this will be asked at registration stage.

Briefing for Participants – Mindgage (899kB pdf)

Stage 4: Online application form

There are two sections to the application form.

First section

In this section, you will need to provide your contact details. It is important that the information you provide is accurate or it may affect your application.

Second section

This section of the form is about you. This is your opportunity to tell us about the skills and experience you would bring to the role; providing examples and evidence to demonstrate how you meet the Core Code Of Ethics – NFCC

You can prepare for this section by making a start on your personal statement. Starting it now could help give you more time to capture information which could help with your application.

We encourage you to look through our website and YouTube channel to find out more about what the role of a firefighter encompasses and advice for your application. You can also sign up to our mailing list to be notified on any upcoming recruitment events where you’ll be able to meet and chat to our firefighters and staff.

It is best to present the information in a clear and logical format using headings and bullet points ensuring your skills, experience and evidence appear clearly against each of the NFCC Core Code of Ethics

It’s important you support your statement with evidence and examples throughout. For instance, ‘I work well within a team’ will not help us to assess your skills unless you have provided specific examples of how you have worked well within a team in previous roles.

Stage 5: Shortlisting

If your application is successful, we will email you. Please check spam and junk folders regularly. 

We will be extremely busy during this stage of the process and ask that you do not contact us for updates. Due to the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback.

Stage 6: Fitness and strength tests

For those that have been successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to demonstrate that they can meet the fitness and strength requirements of the role. You can book a date and time slot for the fitness and strength tests on our online booking system and details for this will be sent by our Recruitment Team.

The test will comprise of:

• Fitness test/run: a bleep test which involves running back and forth along a 20-metre course in time with an audible bleep. To successfully pass this test, you’ll need to reach level 8, shuttle 8 (8.8) which is equivalent to running for approximately eight and half minutes, covering a distance of 1400m, which is close to one mile.
• Upper body strength test: a lateral pull-down of between 30kg and 60kg and shoulder press of 30kg

To find out how to prepare, visit practical physical tests.

If you pass the initial fitness test (a bleep test), you will then proceed to the strength tests (upper body strength tests).

If you score sufficiently, you will be invited to the next stage of the selection process – the practical physical tests.

Stage 7: Practical physical tests

For those that have passed the fitness and strength tests, you will be invited to attend the practical physical tests.

You will be able to book the date and either a morning or afternoon session using our online booking system. These tests will be conducted in small group sessions by our training team.

These tests replicate the type of tasks you would be expected to undertake on the training school and within the role of a firefighter. They are designed to test practical ability and the ability to follow instructions. Some of the tests are conducted to set time constraints. To find out how to prepare, visit practical physical tests.

All tests must be passed to move forward to the next stage of the process. You will not be advised of the results on the day. The Recruitment Team will email you to advise if you have passed or failed these tests.

Stage 8: Interview

The interview lasts one hour and will comprise of six set questions which are the same for all candidates.  

Your interview will be conducted by a panel of two members of our staff. You will be able to book the date and time slot for your interview via our online booking system. The link to this will be sent to you by our Recruitment Team.

If you meet the set pass mark, we will advise you by email and you will progress to the next stage. We will not advise you of your interview score. This will be used at the end of the process to select the best performing candidates for the limited number of places available on the training course.

Stage 9: Job offer decisions

The Recruitment Team will review how many people have passed all stages of the process.

Stage 10: Firefighter training

Following your job offer, you will be invited into a 13-14-week intensive firefighter training course. You will also be enrolled into a Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship which will take around 24 months to complete.

Visit the firefighter training school page for more information about the course.

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