How many posts are there and in what locations?
We are recruiting for a number of posts. Successful candidates can be placed at any Wholetime station within the Cleveland Fire Authority area once they have completed their initial training.
Are there any age limits?
Applicants must be 18 years of age or over at the commencement of training. You may apply to be a
wholetime firefighter if you are aged between 17 years 6 months and 18 years old, as long as you are 18 years old once you commence training. There is no
upper age limit.
Are there any height limits?
There are no maximum or minimum height limits.
I have applied previously, do I need to re-apply?
This is a new recruitment process therefore you will need to re-apply and go through the selection process again.
Can you apply if you don’t live in the Cleveland Fire Authority Area?
No, applications will only be accepted from those who currently live within the Cleveland Fire Authority Area; Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough or Redcar & Cleveland. Applicants will need to provide proof of their address at the interview stage. The decision to restrict applications to the Cleveland Fire Authority area is an organisational decision that has been made to support our aim to employ a diverse workforce that increasingly reflects the community that we serve.
What qualifications will I need to apply for the role of firefighter?
No formal qualifications are required however applicants are required to be successful at shortlisting and in various psychometric tests before being invited to attend the physical assessments.
Are you accepting inter-service transfers or retained to wholetime transfers?
We are accepting applications which will be considered alongside all other applicants who apply in accordance with our Recruitment, Selection & Promotion Policy and Procedure.
I will be on holiday for some of the stages, can the dates be changed?
Due to the volume of applications we are expecting and because we require those who have been appointed to start on the same day, we
do not have any flexibility to change the dates.
I have a disability, what reasonable adjustments can you make for me?
Please contact us by emailing: recruitment@clevelandfire.gov.uk and in the Subject Field write ‘reasonable adjustment’. We will contact
you to discuss your individual condition and needs. All requests will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Can I apply if I wear glasses?
As part of the medical, candidates undergo an optician’s examination. If you require glasses and depending on your eyesight, the Fire
Service will equip you with prescription safety glasses.
What is the eyesight requirement?
The visual entry standards for firefighters are:
Unaided visual acuity of 6/18 in the better eye and 6/24 in the worse eye.
Have a corrected visual acuity of at least 6/9 binocularly, in the better eye and a minimum of 6/12 in the worse eye.
Have normal binocular visual field determined by confrontation techniques or formal testing methods.
Operational firefighters must have an appropriate level of colour perception. Individuals with either normal colour vision or slightly abnormal green colour vision are suitable for appointment.
If you are unsure whether you meet this criteria, you are advised to seek advice from a qualified optometrist.
Candidates who have undergone laser eye surgery will not be considered for an appointment to a position for a minimum of 12 months after the date of the procedure. Although, this does not preclude you from joining the recruitment process.
I have a medical condition, will this affect my application?
Fire and Rescue Authorities are required to assess each
applicant on an individual basis with regard to their suitability to perform the role of a Firefighter, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. In
addition, under current legislation, as a Fire and Rescue Authority we need to ensure that individuals are safe at work for their own protection and that of
others.
This means, that we will consider what reasonable
adjustments could be made to enable you to proceed with your application. To ensure that your health, safety and wellbeing in the work environment is
maintained, you will need to tell us about any condition or medication that you are taking.
Prior to applying, if you have any queries about your health condition or medication that you are taking, you may wish to contact: recruitment@clevelandfire.gov.uk
to discuss this.
Would I be able to progress my career in the Fire Service?
Yes there are opportunities for development and
promotion. To achieve this you will be assessed on your potential to develop into a higher role. If successful you will take part in a promotion
process in order for you to progress to your next role. Once completed and competence has been demonstrated you will be considered for promotion when positions arise.
Can I see my psychometric test results?
We do appreciate that you may want to know more details about your results. Unfortunately we are unable to give out any additional information because we need to maintain the security of the scoring process.
This is to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly in future recruitment campaigns. While we understand this may be frustrating for you, we hope you can
understand the importance of ensuring a fair process for all candidates.
How are the psychometric tests scored?
It’s helpful for you to understand how scoring is applied to your responses to generate the final result you get. The score you are given is
a ‘percentile’ score not a ‘percentage’ score and is different to what you might be used to when completing tests. Knowing the difference between the two types will help you appreciate how you scored.
A percentile score is a score generated by comparing the results of your responses to a group of individuals who have also completed the test. This group is called a comparison group or norm group. Percentile scores
show your results in relation to how you performed in comparison to this norm group. For example, if you have a percentile score of 60, then this means that
your score is better than 60% of people in that norm group. It does not mean that you have answered 60% of the questions correctly.
Do I need to have a driving licence to apply?
Part of a Firefighters role map is to drive, manoeuvre and redeploy Fire Service vehicles
therefore this would be beneficial
Can I prepare my application in advance of the application lines opening?
Yes, you can set up a candidate profile now on www.northeastjobs.org.uk,
this will allow you to pre-populate a lot of your personal information which
will speed up your application process once the lines open.
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