Wholetime selection process

Selection process

Please note: These dates are subject to change.

Application form

You will be asked to complete an online application form that includes your personal details and a requirement to answer a number of questions to assess your eligibility to apply.

Online tests

If you meet the essential criteria you will be sent links for two online assessments covering Behavioural Styles Questionnaire and Situational Judgement. These are not timed but will take about 30 minutes each to complete.

Supporting Statement

As part of the application form, you will be required to provide supporting evidence that will be used to shortlist your application if you meet the required standard on the online assessments.

Assessment centre

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an assessment centre to complete the following tasks. You should plan to be with us for approximately three hours.

This will consist of the 3 areas listed below:

1. Presentation
   Details will be provided on the day.
2. Interview
   The interview will last approximately one hour. You will be asked several questions on aspects such as your skills, experience, behaviours, values and competencies.
3. Job Related Tests
   The tests will determine whether you have the required levels of aerobic fitness, stamina, upper and lower body strength to carry out the role of a firefighter. These tests are designed to simulate aspects of a firefighter's role. You will be required to wear fire kit. The tests are as follows:​​​​​​

Swimming Test

The swim test will be split into three parts, please note that goggles are not permitted. In addition to your swim wear, please also bring a thin t-shirt to wear during the swim test.

Part 1 - Front crawl & backstroke any combination, consisting of two lengths of a 25-metre pool within three minutes, starting and finishing in the shallow end.

Part 2 - Energetic (fast as possible) 25m swim (front crawl) with personal floatation device (PFD).

Part 3 - Jump in pool at the deep end, tread water for one minute and then exit the water unaided.

Pre employment checks

Criminal records check

A satisfactory enhanced check will be requested from the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure that you have not been convicted of a criminal offence which makes your employment in the role of a firefighter unsuitable. This application is made in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Reference checks

At least two satisfactory references will be sought.  One must be from you current or most recent employer.  Your references will need to cover the past three years of employment.

Training schedule

This is a 14 week training course which takes place from Monday to Friday.  The majority of the training will take place at the Joint Training Centre in Ripley as well as at other locations in and around Derbyshire.  It is compulsory to attend the full course and successfully pass all parts of the course.

The initial training course will include the following modules:

1. Prevention and Protection work in the Community

2. Health & Safety and Occupational Health

3. Hose

4. Ladders

5. Pump Operator 

6. Knots and Lines

7. Technical & Underpinning Knowledge 

8. Safe Working at Height

9. Incident Command Foundation

10. Breathing Apparatus & Compartment Fire Behaviour Training

11. Road Traffic Collision

12. Trauma Care 

13. Hazardous Materials

14. National Resilience

15. Water First Responder

16. Fitness Training

FAQs