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This collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) provides brief answers to many common questions about West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The questions have been split into two tables of recruitment questions and general questions. They also provide links to more detailed information available from this web site. Please check here first for the answer, but if you need further assistance email information@westyorksfire.gov.uk
Recruitment Questions
General Questions
- Every applicant is evaluated based on their individual skills and abilities, and whether they meet the application form and interview criteria. We do welcome applications from women and people from black and minority ethnic groups in particular, because they are currently under-represented in our Service. For more information on Firefighter roles, please read the Recruitment Guide. Each Support staff role has specific essential and desirable criteria provided in the advertisement.
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If you want to become a Wholetime Firefighter or are applying for a Support role, you don’t need to live in the county to work for us.
However, if you'd like to be a Retained Duty System Firefighter, you need to:
- live or work within one mile of the Retained Fire Station at which you wish to serve
- be able to respond within five minutes of an alarm, on foot or by vehicle at normal road speed.
- Applications for all vacancies are made online via our Careers pages. Successful applicants who meet the selection criteria will be invited to interview. More information on Firefighter recruitment can be found in the Recruitment Guide.
- Firefighter vacancies (Wholetime and Retained Duty System roles) and Support staff roles are advertised on our web site.
We are not currently recruiting for Wholetime Firefighters, but please keep checking our website, under the 'Vacancies' section for up-to-date information. For more information on Firefighter recruitment, contact the Equality and Diversity Department on 01274 655796, email equalityanddiversity@westyorksfire.gov.uk
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To be a Firefighter you must be 18 years of age on appointment (therefore you can be 17 ½ years old when you apply). There is no upper age limit.
Applicants for Support staff roles must be a minimum of 16 years old, there is no upper age limit.
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If you want to be a Firefighter, you need to have a grade C (or above) in English and Maths, or an equivalent qualification. Applicants for Support roles need to meet the specific criteria set out in job descriptions. Appointment is subject to you providing evidence of the qualifications listed in your application.
Free of charge advice and support is available to all applicants from Learndirect, for example if you do not have the required qualifications, or are unsure whether your qualifications meet the minimum requirements.
For more information contact the Equality and Diversity Department on 01274 655796, email equalityanddiversity@westyorksfire.gov.uk
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It depends on your role. Although it’s not mandatory to have a licence when you apply to be a Firefighter, we will expect you to learn while you’re working for us. You may need one for some Support roles; this will be set out in the job description.
Regardless of the type of role you apply for (Firefighter, Support staff etc.), you will be asked to tell us in your application whether you have a driving licence, what type of licence you have, whether it is endorsed (points), the nature of any offences, and penalties.
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A record of offences will not necessarily disqualify you as all applications are considered strictly on their merits. However, you are required to declare during the application process any offence for which the conviction is not yet ‘spent’ within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
As part of your application process, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service asks the Criminal Records Bureau to investigate if you have a current criminal record (a CRB check). Should any of the particulars given in the answers within the application form found to be false or should there be any wilful omission or suppression of any material fact, the applicant will, if appointed, be liable to dismissal.
Read the Firefighter Recruitment Guide for more information.
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Firefighters have one of the most respected jobs within the community. They are trained to deal with a wide range of situations and incidents, including house, commercial/industrial and rubbish fires, rescuing people or animals, road traffic accidents, dealing with hazardous materials and floods, and salvage operations.
As well as responding to emergencies, Firefighters work closely with members of West Yorkshire communities to prevent fires and accidents from starting. This includes carrying out community safety checks and fire safety inspections, visiting homes, schools, community groups, voluntary organisations and businesses throughout West Yorkshire.
Firefighters are also responsible for carrying out physical training, taking part in practical training such as drills or scenarios, attending lectures, maintaining, cleaning and testing fire service equipment and performing general station routines.
- Our Firefighter Recruitment Guide explains in detail how you apply to become a Firefighter. This describes the duties and responsibilities expected of a Firefighter, how our recruitment process works, and how to prepare for completing an application and the physical, role related tests.
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Firefighters can be either Wholetime (full-time) or employed on a Retained Duty System (RDS).
Wholetime Firefighters are permanently based at, and mobilised from a fire station. RDS Firefighters are often fully employed in other occupations and respond to calls from their home or place of work. For more information on the role of Wholetime and Retained Duty System Firefighters, and a list of RDS stations within West Yorkshire, read the Firefighter Recruitment Guide.
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The current salary for a newly appointed Wholetime Firefighter is £21,157 rising to £22,038 during development and £28,199 when competent (when their Probation has been completed).
The current retainer fee for Retained Duty System Firefighters is £2,116 pa, rising to £2,204 pa whilst in Development, and £2,821 pa when Competent. You will be paid an hourly rate of £12.88 when Competent. You will also receive a disturbance payment of £3.70 when answering emergency calls. In addition to responding to emergencies you will receive a retaining fee, turnout fee and additional hourly rate payments. (Correct at July 2009).
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Once successful applicants have completed their initial, 13 week training course, they begin a Development Programme of up to three years. The appointment of all operational personnel is subject to successful completion of this Programme, at which point they become Competent Firefighters. As some Retained Duty System probationers complete a modular development programme, no timescales are set to complete these.
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The role of a firefighter can be physically demanding. All operational personnel are required to maintain a level of physical fitness, strength and stamina in order to meet the physical demands of the role. Physical training is an important part of a firefighter’s ongoing development and exercise must be continued throughout their careers, on a regular basis. Fitness assessments are carried out every 6 months.
Guidelines on developing and maintaining cardio respiratory fitness, muscular fitness and flexibility for firefighting and general health can be found at: http://www.firefitsteeringgroup.co.uk/ If you are in any doubt about your health or physical ability to exercise, you should consult a Doctor before beginning any physical training programme. This is especially important if you are (or think you might be) pregnant, your health status has recently changed, you haven’t exercised for the last six months or have had a recent illness or injury.Medically, everyone is considered on an individual basis. Additional tests or investigations may need to be carried out for some conditions and we may refer applicants to a consultant for a detailed assessment.
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It’s not essential to be able to swim, however it would be a good skill to have, particularly as Firefighters carry out water rescue training.
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Wholetime Firefighters will be placed at stations throughout West Yorkshire to ensure the Service provides an efficient and effective service to the community.
Retained Duty System Firefighters need to live or work within one mile of the Retained Fire Station at which they wish to serve and should be able to respond within five minutes of an alarm, on foot or by vehicle at normal road speeds. You should speak with the Watch Manager at your nearest Retained Duty Station, listed in our Firefighter Recruitment Guide or make an appointment to visit the Station on drill night to find out if they have any vacancies.
- Do you have any Open/Awareness Days planned - either at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters or any of the local stations?
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We hold a awareness days to help applicants find out more about the recruitment process, try the Physical ‘Role Related’ Tests and speak to serving Firefighters/officers about their experiences in the Service.
To find out more about Awareness Days or local station events please contact the Equality and Diversity Department on 01274 655796, email equalityanddiversity@westyorksfire.gov.uk
- Any donations can be made by sending a brief covering letter with a cheque made payable to "The Firefighters Charity". Please ensure such cheques are sent to the Finance Department, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oakroyd Hall, Bradford Road, Birkenshaw, BD11 2DY.
- Home Fire Safety Checks are free and you can arrange a visit from our Community Fire Safety Team by calling Freephone 0800 5874536. Visits are carried out seven days a week, from 9am to 9pm.
- How do I find out more information about Fire Alarms for people with Sight/Hearing/Mobility impairments?
- Specialised alarm products include Easy Access alarms, bright stickers to attach to alarms, Strobe Lights and Vibrating Pad Alarms. Your local fire station will be able to advise on these products or help with installation.
Further information and support is provided by the following organisations:
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
Telephone: 0845 766 9999
Website: www.rnib.org.ukRoyal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Website: www.rnid.org.uk
The Government’s “Fire Kills” website: www.directgov.uk/firekills
Last Updated: 19/10/2009