Firefighter

Every Firefighter is expected to maintain their fitness throughout their career, and will have their fitness assessed every year.

Fitness, aptitude and practical tests:

• 20 metre bleep test (you will be required to achieve level 8.8) or completion of the Chester Treadmill test
• 1 x 35kg overhead press
• 1 x 60kg single rope lateral pulldown
• 28kg single rope lateral pulldown: 23 pulldowns in 60 seconds
• ladder climb with leg lock
• confined space crawl
• equipment assembly
• equipment carry.

Watch examples of these tests on the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service YouTube channel.

Here are some of qualities and attributes we look for in a firefighter:

• trustworthy and reliable
• able to understand and respect diversity
• an effective communicator
• willing to work scheduled shifts
• able to retain and apply relevant information
• able to work effectively with others
• able to maintain awareness for safe working
• committed to the development of self and others
• able to remain confident in challenging situations

All applicants will be required to take and pass two online written assessments in English and Maths.

If you are applying to be a Firefighter on a wholetime basis, you will be required to complete an online assessment, which will tell us more about you.

It has been specifically designed to capture how you go about tackling challenges, allowing us to objectively measure how you naturally approach problems and react to changes in requirements, risk and uncertainty.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Training Centre is based in Wattisham and is at the heart of our service.

Throughout their careers, all of our operational staff regularly pass through our gates to learn new skills and maintain their professional competence, from new recruits to our Chief Fire Officer.

Our highly-skilled Instructors and Training, Learning and Development team deliver a vast range of subjects which ensure our operational crews are responding to the communities of Suffolk with the latest advancements in national guidance, rescue techniques, technology, and equipment.

Our facilities allow us to train in:

• Breathing apparatus,
• Live Fire and Search and Rescue,
• Road Traffic Collisions, Heavy Goods Vehicles and Train Crash simulation,
• Hazardous Materials,
• Emergency Response Driving,
• Working at Height Rescue,
• Water Incidents,
• Incident Command,
• Animal Rescue,
• Trauma Care,
• Fire Investigation.

When you are appointed to the role of Firefighter, you will attend our specially-equipped training centre, where you will be taught basic firefighting skills such as ladder safety, hose laying and fire-pump operation.

The training course will involve classroom study, as well as practical training, and you will be continually assessed throughout to monitor your progress.

After grasping the basic skills of firefighting, you will progress to breathing apparatus (BA) training, which will be taught in realistic environments involving heat, smoke and darkness.

Upon successful completion of basic training, you will be allocated to a fire station within Suffolk, as a development firefighter.

Development and probationary period

As a Firefighter, you will be on probation for your first year and in development until you demonstrate you have achieved the correct level of knowledge, skills and performance in your role as a Firefighter.

You will follow a formal development programme, throughout which your performance will be continuously assessed. The development programme includes:

• Safe working practices,
• Conduct,
• Equipment and procedures,
• Fire safety and community education.

You will continue to be developed and assessed throughout your career in the Fire and Rescue Service, and will be expected to participate in all relevant training and development activities.

Competence

Once deemed competent, as a wholetime firefighter, you may choose to stay as a Firefighter at the location you have been posted to, honing your skills whilst gaining further experience.

You may also consider requesting to work at another location within Suffolk, or progress your career through management roles, and help steer Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service into the future.