Application Form

The Fire and Rescue Service application form is the most important step in getting the job that thousands are striving for. It is also the first point, where most applicants fail. You only get one chance to impress the adjudicator at your desired Fire and Rescue Service. The application form is designed to sort out the cream from all the applicants. It is a paper sifting exercise which rejects hundreds even thousands in some cases.
The application form is not rocket science and is based around the PQA’s or the trainee firefighter Personal Qualities and Attributes. This is all part of the National Firefighter tests and is now a standardised procedure throughout the UK.
The application form asks you about your qualifications and work history and the application questionnaire your suitability for the role of a firefighter i.e. team working.

You will, be also asked to complete a declaration of any criminal convictions you have if they are unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Unspent convictions will be taken into account on their individual circumstances. All spent convictions do not have to be declared, however there are some convictions that do remain for life.

Part of the application form asks if you have a disability, all Fire and Rescue Services are guided by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. This means anyone who has a disability can apply and the Brigade doctor will look into these on an individual basis, as to the suitability to carry out the duties of a firefighter.

The form itself

We cannot stress enough that this is your chance to get it right first time. By coming to this site you have made a great start and will be one step ahead of the game but there is still a lot of work to do.

Application forms are designed to screen you out rather get you in. Ultimately putting the time in now that will make the difference. Make sure you present your answers clearly and neatly on the form and ensure they hit the right qualities and attributes to become successful at this stage.
The following tips may make it easier;

Read the Question – RTQ, this cannot be reiterated strongly enough

Make photocopies of the application form to practice on

Make sure you really know what is being asked of you to complete the answers to the question

Fill out every box do not leave anything – if there is a box it needs an answer!

Use the correct colour pen to complete the form – if it says black ink do not use blue

If it says write in capitals, or own handwriting do so

Practice on your photocopied forms first until you are happy that you have refined your answers to covey your skills and abilities in line with the PQA’s

Do not lie or exaggerate – it’s not worth being caught out and dismissed at a later date

Write clearly and as neat as possible

Check and re check spellings, punctuation and grammer. Ask a friend to proof read it if possible.

If you are hungry or thirsty keep all food and beverages away from the form, this form is so special to you it should be treated accordingly

When you are happy that all the questions answered it’s time to complete the original form – NO distractions!

when you have completed the form, make at least one photocopy of it – you may need to remember what you have written at the interview stage after you send the original one off

make sure you send your form to the address you were provided in plenty of time – watch out for postal strikes

And finally if you haven’t read any of the above tips remember this one – this is your only chance, to stand out, above all the other applicants, so give it 120% and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible – the job of your dreams is just the effort away.

Best of Luck