Wholetime firefighter selection process

Our wholetime firefighter application portal is now closed.

When completing the online application form you will be asked to provide personal details such as your name, address, contact details, qualifications etc. You will also be required to answer the following questions in support of your application – you will have up to 300 words per question.

Personal Impact

• Explain how you value inclusion and set a positive example of appropriate behaviour

Outstanding leadership

• Explain how you are committed to continuously learning to improve yourself and others

Service Delivery

• Explain how you plan and make a decision

Organisational effectiveness

• Explain how you positively engage with change and encourage others to do so

The questions are based around the National Fire Chiefs Council Leadership framework. We advise that you take the time to look over the document below focusing on demonstrating your impact at leading yourself level.

NFCC Leadership Framework (PDF)

The questions are intentionally generic, so everyone can answer them. Make your answers personal by providing relevant examples of when you have demonstrated certain strengths and how that made you feel. Where possible please support your answers with evidence from both your professional and personal experiences.

Application Presentation

These online tests measure your ability to read and interpret numerical and verbal information quickly and accurately. Providing proof of GCSE Maths and English at grade C (4) or above, or equivalent, will exempt you from this stage.

You can practice for these tests by visiting – Practice Tests | SHL Direct

Check out our Training for firefighter selection page for more information about this stage.

The interview will be a strengths-based interview that links to the strengths required in the firefighter role and seeks to explore whether they are something you would be good at and enjoy doing. There will be a predefined list of questions and scoring criteria to support this.

Find out more about strength-based interviews and how you can prepare.

Successful applicants will be required to attend a medical assessment. References and a criminal record checks will also be obtained prior to employment status being confirmed.

As the position of firefighter gives you privileged access to vulnerable groups, this means that you will be required to disclose any unspent convictions, including any driving offences. Through the criminal records checking process, we will apply for a criminal record disclosure. We will do this by asking you to complete a criminal record application.

Following the successful completion of the pre-employment checks you will move onto a course of full training before you become a firefighter

If you have any questions, please send an email to wholetime.recruitment@hantsfire.gov.uk.

If you require additional advice or support on equality, diversity and inclusion related issues you can contact the EDI team on id@hantsfire.gov.uk.