The following stages form the final selection process for the Full-Time firefighter recruitment process.
Pre-employment checks
You will be required to:
- Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) form (formerly known as a criminal record check)
- Provide a copy of your driving license
- Provide verification of your National Insurance number
- Provide details of two referees
- Bring documents to show that you have the right to work in the UK
Interviews
Interviews will consist of four panels made up of two interviewers per panel and interview questions will be based around our Ethical Principles and Behaviours, find out more here.
Making the final selection
The top candidates from the interview process will then be invited to undertake a medical and fitness test.
Medical
Those invited for a medical will be required to complete a pre-employment medical form and can expect to undertake the following tests:
- Eye sight
- Drugs and alcohol
Fitness test
The gas analysis test accurately determines your aerobic fitness and involves cycling on a stationary bike.
Gas analysis test video transcript
Gas analysis test also known as the cardiopulmonary exercise test or CPET.
Quantifies all the lungs, heart and muscles work together to supply and utilise oxygen
during exercise that gradually becomes more difficult over time.
This test similar to cycling up a hill that slowly gets steeper.
This is a maximal test and you'll be encouraged to give your best effort. To be successful
you will need to achieve a peak oxygen consumption of 42.3
milliliters per kilogram of body mass, per minute,
this value represents the minimum cardiorespiratory
fitness requirements for operational firefighters. Before the test
you'll be asked to complete a short health questionnaire.
We also measure your blood pressure. We will then measure your height and body mass.
You will also be asked to wear a heart rate monitor.
This is simply a flexible belt that is worn around the chest next,
you'll be familiarised with the exercise bike, the seat height and handlebars will be adjusted
so that you are comfortable before the test begins.
You will also be asked to wear flexible mask.
That will be secured using a head net.
The mask allows for the measurement of the gases in the air that you breathe out.
So that your oxygen consumption can be determined accurately.
Next, we will explain the test in more detail
and you will have the chance to ask any questions that you may have. A gas analysis
test includes four stages. Rest phase in which you will
simply be asked to sit on the bike without pedaling.
This is followed by a warm up where you will cycle against light resistance.
The gas analysis test will then begin. The resistance on the pedals,
will increase slowly, so the effort required gradually increases as the test progresses,
the lungs heart and muscles must work harder to supply oxygen
as the effort needed to turn the pedals increases,
this phase of the test should last approximately 8 to 12 minutes.
You'll be encouraged to give your best effort. Finally,
you'll be allowed to recover and gently turn the pedals to cool down. After the test
you will be provided with your peak oxygen uptake value
and told if you've been successful.
Initial training
Initial training will consist of a training course spanning several weeks. Further details of the training period will be released before Full-Time firefighter recruitment begins.
The recruit training will be located at our Training School in Immingham – Immingham West Fire Station, Rosper Road, South Killingholme, Immingham DN40 3DU
A ceremonial Passing out Parade will then be held at the end of the course where family and friends can be invited and recruits can show off their new found skills and competencies.
Full-Time fire station allocation
New recruits will be given their Full-Time Station allocation, which could be anywhere within the Humberside boundary and not necessarily close to their home address. An allocation of annual leave will be planned in prior to joining the station and watch.