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Our firefighters have one of the most respected jobs within the community: responding to incidents, preventing them from happening and protecting West Yorkshire citizens and property.
When we are recruiting we welcome applications from all community members who pass our application form and interview criteria, and meet the standards of our physical, role related tests.
In order to "Make West Yorkshire Safer" and provide an excellent service to all the communities of West Yorkshire, we must employ firefighters who can recognise, understand and respond to their needs. A diverse workforce which reflects West Yorkshire communities is better equipped to achieve this.
Applicants don't need to have any previous firefighting experience or qualifications, but they do need to meet our minimum literacy and numeracy requirements. Firefighter trainees must be 18 years old when they're appointed, so they can be 17½ years old when they apply. There is no upper age limit.
Anyone wanting to become a wholetime firefighter wouldn't need to live in the county to work for us. However, there are geographic limits for someone who wants to be an on-call firefighter, as they must:
- live or work within one mile of the on-call fire station at which they wish to serve;
- be able to respond within five minutes of an alarm, on foot or by vehicle at normal road speed.
Once successful applicants complete their initial induction training they begin a development programme. The appointment of all operational personnel is subject to successful completion of this programme, at which point they become competent firefighters. During their career they may consider specialising in other roles, or seek to progress. Browse through the 'Careers' pages or contact us for more information.
