The firefighter application process

Fire and rescue services recruit wholetime firefighters in short campaigns, and once a campaign opens the process usually runs in this order: an online application, written or online tests, physical tests based on firefighting tasks, an interview and a medical with pre-employment checks. Services in England build their selection on national firefighter selection tests and adapt them locally, so the order and the standards differ between services. On-call firefighters are recruited station by station, often all year round.

Recruitment windows

Wholetime campaigns open when a service needs new firefighters, and some services go years between them. When one opens, the application window can be short, and some services close early once they reach a set number of applications. The most reliable way to hear about one is to register for alerts on the service’s own careers page. Checking neighbouring services widens your chances, as long as you can commute to their stations.

Many services run open days or “have a go” sessions before a campaign, where you can try the physical tests. If one is offered, it is worth going, since you get to try the equipment before it counts.

On-call vacancies are advertised by station. You apply when a station near you needs crew, and you must live or work close enough to reach it within the response time the service sets. How to become an on-call firefighter covers how that works alongside another job.

The application form

The form checks basic eligibility: age, right to work in the UK, and usually a driving licence or the ability to get one. It then asks questions about you. Expect questions on why you want to be a firefighter, why that service, and how you have shown qualities such as teamwork, integrity and respect for others.

Fire services in England work to a Core Code of Ethics, which covers putting communities first, integrity, dignity and respect, leadership, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Read it before you write your answers, because panels score against it. Answer each question with a real example, using the STAR method where the question asks for one.

Written and online tests

Most services use tests of reading comprehension, numerical reasoning and mechanical reasoning, sometimes with a situational judgement test about how you would behave at work. The level is not academic, but the tests are timed and the pass mark is set by the service. Practice tests in the same formats help with speed.

Physical tests

The physical tests are based on the job’s real tasks. The national set, used with local changes, includes the following.

Test	What it checks
Ladder climb	Working at height with confidence, wearing a harness
Enclosed space	Moving through a dark, confined route in breathing apparatus, and staying calm
Equipment carry	Carrying hose and other kit over a set course
Ladder lift	Lifting and lowering part of a ladder safely
Casualty evacuation	Dragging a weighted dummy over a distance
Equipment assembly	Putting together a piece of kit by following instructions

Many services also measure aerobic fitness, for example with a shuttle run or a treadmill or step test. The standards are published and the tests are pass or fail. Train for the specific tasks as well as general fitness. Grip strength, carrying and working at height are the areas many applicants find hardest.

The interview

Interviews are usually with a panel of officers and sometimes a member of HR. Questions cover your motivation, your understanding of the role beyond firefighting (fire safety visits, community work, road traffic collisions, rescues) and your behaviour in teams and under pressure. Some services ask for a short presentation, often on a community safety topic or on why you want to join. Showing that you know what the service does in its area counts.

Medical and checks

The medical includes eyesight, hearing and lung function tests, and a review of your health history. Occupational health checks explains what this stage usually involves and how adjustments are considered. Services also take references and carry out a criminal record check at the level they set for the role.

If you pass everything, you are offered a place on the next training course. From 1 July 2026, under the national pay agreement, a wholetime firefighter earns £31,539 in development and £40,358 once competent. Firefighter pay covers the higher roles and on-call payments.

If you are not successful, and the other nations

Most services let you reapply in a later campaign, and many tell you which stage you failed. Use that to train for the specific test that let you down. On-call service, or a support role such as a fire control operator, keeps you close to the work in the meantime.

Scotland has a single service, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Northern Ireland has the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Wales has three regional services. Each runs its own recruitment, with tests similar in kind to those in England.