Can I become a firefighter?

From finding out if the role is for you, to the checks involved in offering you a post, these are the six steps to applying to WYFRS.

STEP 1

THE JOB

Find out more about the role. You will be involved in areas including:

  • Incident prevention
  • Dealing with difficult and unpleasant incidents
  • Preparing yourself and your equipment
  • Working shifts
  • Following instructions and taking initiative
  • Working within a team and acting as a role model
  • Maintaining high fitness levels

Find out more about the expectations of the role here.

STEP 2

FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

Age

18 years or over at the date of commencing training. There is no upper age limit.

Nationality

UK eligibility to work.

Criminal Convictions

Will not necessarily prevent you from working for us, it will depend on the type/relevance of offence.

Health

No height or weight restrictions but higher-than-average levels of strength, endurance and aerobic fitness essential.

Qualifications

No formal educational qualifications are required in order to apply. If you are eligible to apply you will be invited to complete an online Behavioural Styles questionnaire. You may be invited to undertake further online tests.

Driving Licence

We accept applications from people who do not yet have a full driving licence, however it is expected that you will be willing to take lessons and possess a full driving licence before you can be classed as a fully competent firefighter.

Tattoos

You may apply if you have a tattoo(s), however if you have visible tattoos on your hands and neck and these are deemed offensive then you will not be able to proceed with any application you make.

West Yorkshire Postcode

You must reside permanently at a West Yorkshire postcode at the date of on-line registration.

STEP 3

Awareness Session, Application and Online Tests

First, you must register your interest online.  Following on from this, the recruitment team will be in touch to invite you to an awareness session.  These sessions will have limited spaces available. Candidates will be sent a link to request a session. Allocations will be made on a first come, first served basis.

Once you have attended an awareness session, you will be invited to complete an online application form and eligibility questions.  Applications will be scored and successful candidates will be sent a link to proceed to the ability tests.

You will be required to pass the Numerical Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning tests (the pass mark is set at L2 grade 4 standard).

Here are example tests for you to practice on.

Numerical reasoning test

Verbal reasoning test

 

STEP 4

PHYSICAL TESTING

Successful applicants will be invited to undertake set physical tests.

Physical testing will comprise of:

  • Aerobic Test
  • Strength Tests

You must pass each test to move onto the next test. Testing takes 1 day.

Testing will consist of:

Casualty Evacuation Test

Chester Treadmill Test

Ladder Carry Test

Ladder Extension Test

Ladder Lift Test

Equipment Carry Test

Ladder Climb Test

BA Crawl Test

STEP 5

INTERVIEW & ASSESSMENT CENTRE

If you pass the physical tests at Step 4 you will progress to the assessment centre and interview stage (the date and time of which will be advised later).

This will take place over Microsoft Teams, and will take approximately half a day to complete. You will complete 5 interview questions or activities. More information will be provided to you prior to the interview.

STEP 6

MEDICAL

You will be asked to:

  • Complete a health questionnaire for the Occupational Health Unit
  • Provide a signed GP consent form ­(giving permission for your GP to release your medical information in confidence)
  • Participate in drug and alcohol screening
  • Attend an Occupational Health Check at our Headquarters
  • Attend a Medical Examination & review – the Authority Medical Advisor (AMA) may refer you for further tests or seek specialist consultant advice, if necessary.
  • If you think your eyesight may be an issue then please click here for our Eyesight Requirements
  • If you are in any doubt about whether your eyesight will meet the standard we require, print off the eyesight standards document and see your optician

    Checks and references

As a Government Agency, we must check the information you provided in your application. This includes:

  • Subject to basic Disclosure and Barring Service
  • Online check of your driving licence
  • You must provide details of qualifications, evidence of identity, references covering a minimum of three years’ work/academic history and five years’ address history

 

Should these prove satisfactory, you will be offered a post as a firefighter.

Register your interest in becoming a West Yorkshire firefighter