West Midlands Fire Service Recruitment Process
The online process includes an eligibility questionnaire followed by a range of psychometric assessments which measure your ability to be an effective firefighter.
The assessment includes:
This questionnaire explores your typical behaviours at work and the preferences you emphasise. You will be presented with a series of statements about your working style and you will be asked to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement....
This test measures your judgement and decision making skill in relation to typical situations a firefighter could face. You will be asked to rate the effectiveness of different actions that could be taken in response to a given situation.
This test measures your ability to evaluate, reason and conceptualise with words and sentences. You will be presented with passages of information and four statements about each passage. You will be asked to determine whether the statements are ‘true’, ‘false’, or ‘cannot say’, based on the information in the passage.
This test measures your ability to understand, interpret and logically evaluate numerical information. You will be presented with numerical data in the form of either a graph, table or infographic and three statements which relate to the data. You will be shown numerical problems and be required to select correct answer from the options available.
This test is designed to measure your ability to apply cognitive reasoning to mechanical, physical and practical concepts in order to solve related problems. You will be shown mechanical situations and will be required to select the best answer from the options available.
During this stage, we’ll send you an application where you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate how you embrace inclusion, diversity, innovation and being open to alternative perspectives. You’ll be asked to provide a written submission answering a range of questions to show how you have demonstrated this. Your responses to these questions will need to be focused, as it must adhere to a specified word count.
At West Midlands Fire Service, we’re proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. Demonstrating an understanding of the importance of diversity isn’t just about recognising differences; it’s about showing how inclusivity strengthens teamwork and helps us deliver exceptional service.
Your example should draw on a real-life situation where you upheld these values, such as promoting fairness, fostering an inclusive environment, or challenging bias. you should be concise but specific, ensuring your response clearly highlights your actions and the positive outcome they achieved.
For more on our commitment to diversity, and how we work to create an inclusive and supportive environment, visit our equality and diversity page.
This part of the process will explore your understanding of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Leadership Framework (linked below). In particular it will focus on the 'Leading Yourself' criteria contained within the framework.
You will have a formal interview where you will be asked a series of behavioural questions that will require you to draw on your personal experience in those areas. You will also be required to complete a live roleplay exercise around our Safe and Well principles.
We will also cover your knowledge and understanding of West Midlands Fire Service’s ‘Our Strategy’, and how the role of a firefighter fits in to ‘Our Strategy’. This part of the process also covers the 'Personal Impact' element of the NFCC Leadership Framework, and specifically refers to candidates displaying their understanding, and commitment to diversity and integrity. This will allow us to ensure that you understand the benefits of having a diverse workforce and can demonstrate this through personal experience.
These are job related test that follow the national framework to ensure that you have sufficient practical ability to handle fire service equipment, you will be assessed to ensure that you can work at height, have good manual dexterity and the ability to combine upper and lower body strength and coordination.
Full instruction is given on and prior to the day and you will be provided with fire service protective clothing to wear.
Using the correct lifting technique you will lift a 30kg weight, you will then hold in position for 40 seconds, before lowering the weight to the ground.
You will drag a 55kg dummy by the straps around a 30-metre course walking confidently and backwards guided by an instructor. This test will simulate the techniques and key skills needed to get a casualty to safety.
You will be given a demonstration and a briefing before assembling and disassembling the equipment yourself.
In a breathing apparatus harness, with cylinder attached and a breathing apparatus face mask blacked out, you will negotiate a confined space.
You will ascend the 13.5m ladder with correct technique and perform a 'leg lock' with both legs. Safety measures including a working at height harness will be used throughout.
Using four different pieces of equipment you will complete a series of shuttle runs.
Immigration
In line with section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 all employers in the UK have to make basic checks on everyone they employ. Therefore, we will be asking you to bring relevant documents along e.g. Passport, birth certificate.
References
References will be sent following successful completion of the full process.
Kit Measurement
A date will be arranged for you to be measured for your uniform.
Medicals
You will be invited to attend our Occupational Health Centre for a medical and fitness assessment.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
DBS check to be carried out.
You will be asked questions about your health and any disabilities/medical needs you may have. You will then be seen by an Occupational Health Consultant (Dr) who will review the test results and may need to examine you.
In line with the Data Protection Act, we do not divulge any medical information to anyone outside of occupational health without your written consent.
A fitness assessment will be carried out by the Fitness Adviser as part of your medical. Here you will be asked to carry out the chester treadmill test which will measure aerobic capacity.
On successful completion of all the stages you will be issued a contract of employment and a start date for your initial training.
To start the application process simply enter your postcide in the box below and click 'Search'.
