www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

WholetimeFirefighter

The Recruitment and Selection Process

Thank you for showing an interest in becoming a wholetimefirefighter. We are one of the country’s leading fire and rescueservices with a proud heritage and a great team ethos. Ourmission is a simple one and that is to be an outstanding Servicewhere there are no deaths, injuries or damage from fires or otheremergencies. By choosing to become a firefighter with us you willbe taking on an exciting and demanding role that will not onlychange your life but also help save the lives of others.

We have put together this document to give you an overview ofthe elements involved in the recruitment process. We understandthat it could seem like quite a daunting process. However we wantto reassure you that we will be there to support you every step ofthe way.

Further information can be found on our websitewww.cheshirefire.gov.uk or by emailingwholetimerecruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk.

Good luck and we hope to hear from you soon.

Introduction

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As a firefighter with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, you will beable to demonstrate operational excellence, personalaccountability and a commitment to your own development. Youwill have unique problem solving skills, a flexible approach anddemonstrate the personal qualities and core values of our Service.You also need to be able to swim, unaided, 50 metres using arecognised stroke in approximately 1½ minutes.

Our online recruitment process is designed to make an initialassessment of your potential to work as a firefighter using a rangeof specifically designed questions which examine the qualities andbasic knowledge required for the role. Firefighter recruitment isalways a competitive process, with an extremely high number ofapplicants competing for a low number of positions, therefore itwill be necessary to only take the highest performing individuals ateach stage of the selection process to progress to the next level.

While completing your application it is essential that you readeach question carefully to ensure that you are responding exactlyas you would like. You should also ensure that you answer allquestions before submitting your response.Failure to answer all questions mayresult in your application beingunsuccessful.

Make sure you have read all of theavailable information on ourwebsite in relation to the role ofa firefighter, the recruitmentprocess and the eligibilitycriteria for these positions.

Firefighter Recruitment Information

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The recruitment process will open at 12 noon on Monday 12September 2016 and close on Friday 23 September 2016 at 12noon. This is not a first come first served process. Recruitment willstay open until 12 noon Friday 23 September 2016, irrespective ofthe numbers coming through.

The initial stages of the recruitment process are all undertaken on-line, there is no application form to complete and return.

Once you have registered your interest online you will then beguided through a series of instructions. To gain a unique identifier,you will be required to submit your National Insurance number.You will then be given a unique identifier which will enable you tolog in and out of the system to complete activities, with theexception of the timed tests. Everyone applying will need tocomplete their personal details including employment history.There are a number of initial questions which will help you indetermining if the role is for you before you move on to theformal tests.

The unique identifier will enable you to access the system untilyou have completed all of the required tests. The tests will be:

• Risk Assessment – questions where applicants are required torate the risk against a given scenario. The test is untimed.

• Situational Judgement – questions where applicants arerequired to rate what their response would be to givensituations. The test is untimed.

STEP 1Wholetime Recruitment

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• Numerical and Verbal reasoning tests – questions whichapplicants are required to answer in a given time. Throughoutthese tests there will be a clock on the screen advising you ofthe time you have left.

If you wish to complete the process in one go it will takeapproximately 3 hours. Throughout the online process there willbe clear instructions which will continually be repeated.

If you are dyslexic you will be advised at the appropriate place on-line to contact the Human Resources team who will advise you ofhow to continue with your application.

We will email you if you have been successful and you will beinvited to the next stage of the process. No feedback will begiven.

Successful applicants will then be invited to undertake thepractical tests which will be held at Service Headquarters inWinsford.

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Once you have passed the onlineapplication process we will invite you toget physical during the practicalexaminations.

The role of a firefighter is physicallydemanding and so it is important for us to assess your ability tohandle the situations and challenges you will face. We do thisthrough a series of physical and practical tests. These will include:

• Ladder Climb - This aims to test your confidence with heights. • Casualty Evacuation - This aims to test your upper and lowerbody strength as well as your co-ordination.

• Ladder Lift - This aims to test your upper and lower bodystrength as well as your co-ordination.

• Enclosed Space - Working in enclosed spaces is sometimesrequired when working as a firefighter. This test is designed totest your confidence, agility and stamina working in theseconditions.

• Equipment Assembly - This test is designed to assess yourmanual dexterity and coordination.

• Equipment Carry - This aims to test your upper and lowerbody strength as well as your co-ordination.

These sessions are run by our Operational Training Group so youwill be in safe hands as you progress through the day.

More information about these tests is available on our websitewww.cheshirefire.gov.uk we have even included training sheets tohelp you prepare.

STEP 2Practical tests

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Upon successfully passing the practical tests you will be invited toattend an interview. This will take place at Fire and Rescue ServiceHeadquarters, Winsford, Cheshire, and lasts for about an hour.

This will be our chance to get to know more about you and askyou more about the information you provided within your onlineapplication.

STEP 3Interview

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We need you to take a fullmedical assessment prior tojoining us. We will need you tomeet the nationally agreedhealth and fitness standards forthe physically demanding andpotentially hazardous role of afirefighter and to ensure the safetyof yourself and others.

The assessment will be conducted atour Occupational Health Unit at ourWinsford Headquarters.

The tests that will be completed on the day will include:

• A check of your blood pressure and pulse

• Checks of your height, weight and body mass index

• A hearing test

• A grip strength test

• A vision test (Please note, if you have received laser eye surgery thisprocedure must have been carried out a minimum of 1 month prior to yourmedical assessment)

• A test of your lung function

• A drugs and alcohol test

Further details of the medical including what to wear and exactlywhat will be tested can be found on our websitewww.cheshirefire.gov.uk

STEP 4The Medical

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You’re almost there! We will now just need to check yourreferences. We will also need to carry out an enhanced checkunder the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally known as theCriminal Records Bureau Check). This process can take some timebut don’t worry, we will get in touch as soon as we haveeverything back.

Once we have both references and a satisfactory enhanced checkis received back we will be in a position to offer you the post of awholetime firefighter.

STEP 5References

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You have made it! You will now begin your 16 week initial trainingcourse to become a firefighter. Further details of what this trainingwill involve are detailed below. More information and videos arealso available on our website www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

• Pumps and ladders

• Breathing apparatus and fire behaviour

• Road traffic collision

• Trauma care

• Hazardous materials

• Specialist rescue

STEP 6Welcome to CheshireFire and Rescue Service

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Useful information for FirefighterRecruitment

To assist in preparing for your application process there aresome useful web addresses listed below.

Further information can be found on the Cheshire Fire and RescueService website:

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

Go to jobs then wholetime firefighter recruitment for generalFAQs regarding recruitment requirements and a comprehensive listof dates of the recruitment timeline, such as written tests,interviews, course start dates etc.

Go back to the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service website homepage:

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

Go to jobs then wholetime firefighter recruitment then interviewand application guidance for information regarding interviewskills and the interview process.

Other useful websites are:

www.sentient-recruitment.com/star-method.html

Information regarding the STAR method of answering interviewquestions.

www.fireservice.co.uk

Click onto recruitment from the home page for an extensive dropdown menu detailing every step of the recruitment process.

Click onto fitness from the home page for a drop down menucovering all aspects of fitness requirements and training.

t: 01606 868700f: 01606 868712

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters

Winsford Cheshire CW7 2FQ