This guide gives a brief outline of the assessments you would be asked to do. These will be split into written assessments and physical/practical assessments. You must successfully complete the written assessments in order to be invited back to complete the physical/practical assessments.
The National Firefighter Ability Tests You will be required to complete 4 separate written assessments, each of which are designed to gain a more comprehensive picture of a candidate's ability. The 4 tests are written psychometric tests comprising of the National Firefighter Questionnaire (NFQ), Working with numbers, understanding information and situational awareness and problem solving. The tests involve: The National Firefighter Questionnaire provides objective, fair and relevant information on the key skills, attributes and personal qualities needed to become a successful firefighter. Working with numbers assesses your ability to make basic mathematical calculations. Understanding information assesses your ability to understand and interpret written information that you may commonly come across as a Firefighter Situational Awareness and problem solving assesses your ability to ensure the afety of yourself and others and your ability to use information to solve problems. You must successfully pass the written tests to be invitied to the next stage of the process, ie., the physical/practical tests. Physical / Practical Tests The National Firefighter Selection Physical / Practical tests are job-related tests to ensure that you have sufficient practical ability to handle fire service equipment, you can work in confined spaces and you are confident working at heights. Full instruction is given on the day and you will be provided with fire service protective clothing to wear. Confined Space Test you will negotiate a crawling gallery wearing a breathing apparatus face mask with clear vision. Halfway through the route an obstruction cover will be placed over the visor and you will not be able to see where you are going. You will have 5 minutes to complete this test. Ladder Climb you will be required to climb a ladder to two-thirds of its height and down again and take a leg lock releasing your hands from the ladder. You will be wearing a full safety harness whilst carrying out the test at height. Ladder Lift Simulator Test This simulates lifting a quarter weight of a 13.5 metre ladder. You will need to combine upper and lower body strength and co-ordination to lift the ladder simulator to the required height and lower it safely under control, with the cradle loaded with 15kg. Casualty Evacuation Test You will drag a 55 kg casualty dummy around a 30 metre course. This test must be completed within 41 seconds and is at walking pace. Equipment Carry Test Wearing full fire kit you will carry various pieces of Fire Service equipment over the length of the course around 2 cones which cover a distance of 25 metres. This test must be completed within 5 minutes 47 seconds Equipment Assembly Test You will be given a piece of fire service equipment to assemble and then disassemble, following the instructions provided, within 5 minutes and 8 Seconds For applicants who have not done much physical fitness work for sometime, it is recommended that you seek advice from your Doctor before taking part in the assessments. In this way you can assist in looking after your own safety. The Service considers personal safety very seriously and equipment you will use, during the tests will have been examined, tested and maintained. Applicants should expect to perform tests in controlled and disciplined surroundings.