Wholetime Firefighter

Information Pack

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Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Data Protection GDPR Statement ……………………………………………………………… 3

About us …………………………………………………………………………………………... 4-5

The Firefighter role ……………………………………………………………………................ 6-8

Recruitment process …………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Stage 1. Eligibility and Registration…………………………………………………………….. 9

Stage 2. Behavioural Style Questionnaire (BSQ) ……………………………………………. 10

Stage 3. Situational Judgement Test (SJT) …………………………………………………... 10

Stage 4. Ability Tests…………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Stage 5. Physical Tests ………………………………………………………………..…………11-13

Stage 6. Interview ……………………………………………………………………………….. 13

Stage 7. Medical Test and Fitness Test……………………………………………………….. 13-14

Stage 8. Training Course ……………………………………………………………………….. 14

Further information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) …………………………….. 15-16

Contacts ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17

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Introduction

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are pleased to invite applications to join us as wholetime firefighters.

If you feel that you have what it takes we would like you to join our 2020/2021 recruitment process. To register, go to www.northyorksfire.gov.uk

This document has been written to provide you with details of each of the recruitment and selection processes for the wholetime firefighter.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) at the back of this document or alternatively email Recruitment@northyorksfire.gov.uk

Data Protection GDPR Statement

The information you provide will enable us to understand and assess your skills and experience to progress your application to the next stage of the selection process.

In addition to the information you supply us we shall also collect, hold and appraise information on individual candidate’s performance at each stage of the recruitment process, including information we gain from your selected referees.

This is for the sole purpose of conducting the selection and recruitment process to assess whether you meet the role criteria to be offered a job. This includes the processing of special category data for the purposes of monitoring the Service’s commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity as well as meeting health and safety and employment law obligations.

Should you be unsuccessful this information will be kept for no longer than 12 months from notification of the outcome. If you are successful this information will be kept for the duration of your employment, on your personal record file and for a period of time, according to the retention schedule.

We promise to treat your personal data with care and adopt organisational and technical measures to ensure that access will be restricted solely to those in the organisation with a need to see it for the purpose of the selection process and where applicable employment purposes, in accordance with the data protection provisions.

You also have the right to request sight of the information that we are holding on your at any time, including additional rights. For more information on how the Service manages your personal data during the recruitment process view the Recruitment Privacy Notice.

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About us

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service serves the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York. The population of 819,800 is spread across isolated rural settlements and farms, market towns and larger urban areas such as York, Harrogate and Scarborough.

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county, covering an area of almost 3,212 square miles. It stretches from the North Sea in the east to beyond the Pennine watershed in the west and from the Tees in the north to the Ouse and beyond in the south. This provides particular challenges associated with rurality and travel distances.

The county has two of England’s ten national parks, three designated areas of outstanding natural beauty, over 200 sites of special scientific interest and over 12,000 listed buildings.

The A1M and M62 motorways, the A66, A59 and A64 major roads and the East Coast Main Line from London to Edinburgh run through the county.

North Yorkshire contains several important waterways including the River Ouse – the third busiest river in England.

The county also contains a number of military establishments including Catterick Garrison, the largest military garrison in Western Europe.

North Yorkshire, with its national parks and over 800 tourist attractions, receives more than 20 million visitors each year.

Agriculture is the main industry outside of the main towns.

The City of York is home to over 21,000 students, with two universities, drawing students from all over the world. Significant employers in this area include companies in IT, financial, transport infrastructure and manufacturing.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is organised into four service delivery groups based upon pairs of the seven district councils and City of York areas.

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Our more urban areas have shift stations, larger market towns have day crewed stations and smaller towns/rural villages have on-call. There are 38 Fire Stations in North Yorkshire:

Five wholetime shift stations (crewed 24 hours a day) - Acomb, Harrogate, Huntington, Scarborough and York

Seven day crewed stations (crewed from 0800 to 18:00 each day by firefighters who are also on call outside these hours) - Malton, Northallerton, Richmond, Ripon, Selby, Tadcaster and Whitby

24 retained stations (crewed by On call firefighters)

Two volunteer stations (crewed by volunteers).

Our Training Centre at Easingwold provides initial recruit courses and continuation courses to all staff. Our Headquarters and Control Centre are based in Northallerton

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The firefighter role Location You will be based at any one of our Shift, Day crewed or Self Roster station.

Rates of pay for operational wholetime firefighters (as at July 2019) Firefighter Annual salary Trainee £23,366 Development £24,339 Competent £31,144 Duty systems

Day Crewed and Self Roster stations operate a duty system where firefighters work shifts of 8am-6pm and then remain on call overnight to respond to incidents as required. As such, Firefighters appointed to these stations must reside within four minutes of their station, during on duty periods, in order to meet their on-call responsibilities. Additional allowance are payable in respect of the on call requirements as follows: Annual retaining fee equivalent 5% of annual basic salary Day crewing allowance £1183.00 per annum regardless of annual basic pay rate Disturbance allowance and Turn out will also be payable during the on call duty period. The Day Crewed pattern is four days on duty and then days four off with an average of 42 working hours per week. Additional allowances are payable in respect of the on-call requirement. The Self Roster shift pattern requires the same number of average hours and shifts to be worked but there is no set pattern of shifts. Additional allowances payable for this duty system ranges from 23.5% to 24.9% of annual basic pay depending on which station you are appointed to. Shift stations are crewed 24/7 by firefighters who work shifts of 8am-6pm and 6pm-8am. The shift pattern is two day shifts, two night shifts and then four days off.

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Annual leave entitlements The leave year runs from 1st January to 31 December. The full annual leave entitlement for full time firefighters is 23 days. Additionally after 5 year’s continuous service, employees are entitled to an additional 3 days Long Service Leave. All leave is planned, the authorisation of which shall be subject to the exigencies of the Service. Public holiday leave In addition to the above annual leave entitlement employees will be granted 8 days leave in respect of public holidays and these will be allocated to you. Good Friday Late Summer Holiday Easter Monday Christmas Day Spring Bank Holiday Boxing Day First Monday in May New Year’s Day Pension Scheme The details of the relevant Firefighter’s Pension Scheme are available on our Pensions Administrators website: www.wypf.org.uk/firefighters/. There are different pension schemes for firefighters, with the date of joining the Service dictating which scheme is relevant. Recruits that join from 1 April 2015 are admitted to the 2015 scheme (FPS 2015).

Selecting that scheme will provide you with details of how the pension is calculated, how you can increase your benefits, as well as the benefits for your loved ones in the event of your death (along with links to the relevant forms).

Further information on scheme benefits, can be obtained by contacting David Hood Pensions Administrator/Manager via email David.Hood@northyorksfire.gov.uk

Firefighter duties and responsibilities

Reports to Crew Manager

Role Map

Inform and educate your community to improve awareness of safety matters

Take responsibility for effective performance

Save and preserve endangered life

Resolve operational incidents

Protect the environment from the effects of hazardous materials

Support effectiveness of operational response

Support development of colleagues in the workplace

Contribute to fire safety solutions to minimise risk to your community

Drive, manoeuvre and redeploy fire service vehicles

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Personal Qualities And Attributes (PQA’S)

Personal Style

Understands and respects diversity and adopts a fair and ethical approach to others

Is open to change and actively seeks to support it

Maintains a confident and resilient attitude in highly challenging situations

Interpersonal Skills

Works effectively with others both within the F&R service and in the community

Communicates effectively both orally and in writing

Committed and able to develop self and others Working with Information

Understands, recalls, applies and adapts relevant information in an organised, safe and systematic way

Maintains an active awareness of the environment to promote safe and effective working Organisational Effectiveness Adopts a conscientious and proactive approach to work to achieve and maintain excellent standards

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Recruitment Process The following information is designed to give you an indication of the recruitment process for North Yorkshire

Fire and Rescue Service, what to expect and what is required of you. The recruitment process is a staged

process and should you be successful you will be assessed over the period of 6 months.

Stage 1. Candidate registration, realistic job preview & eligibility tests

The online registration process will open week commencing 08th June you should allow approximately 30

minutes to complete the below three elements.

Within the online registration process you will be required to complete:

Candidate Registration, where you register your details

Realistic Job Preview, here you are presented with 11 scenarios

Eligibility Screen, here you must answer basic questions to see whether you are eligible to apply.

The first element of the online process is to register some basic personal details about yourself before you

progress to the realistic job preview.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to have your National Insurance number available to be able to register as

well as your correct e-mail address. It is important you check that you input your correct e-mail address, as

the system will communicate with you using the e-mail address that you provide during the registration. If you

provide an incorrect e-mail address, the system will be unable to provide you with relevant information

regarding your application.

If you do not complete the Online Registration, you will not be able to access the subsequent elements and

progress within the recruitment process. You will only be able to register with us once during this recruitment

campaign so please ensure the details you give are correct as you will be unable to amend them after they

have been submitted and your application would be terminated at this point. If you have been invited to

complete any of the below assessments, it must be done within the deadline given, or your application will not

be considered any further.

The realistic job preview is a questionnaire, which presents you with information about the various demands

and challenges you may be faced with as a firefighter. The realistic job preview will give you a score based on

your response to these questions that indicates how likely you would be suited to the role of firefighter.

After completing the realistic job preview you will be asked if you wish to proceed to complete the eligibility

questions.

Whether you are over the age of 17 years and six months

Whether you have the right to work in the UK

Whether you have any unspent convictions that may temporarily preclude you from working as a firefighter (all unspent and pending convictions must be declared, failure to do so will result in your application being automatically withdrawn)

If you meet the eligibility requirements you will be invited to complete Stage 2 of the selection process.

Once you have completed the online registration and eligibility screen, you will receive an e-mail from our online system advising you of how you can log back into the system when you are invited to complete the online assessments. Please check your inbox and Junk Mail box for emails from Apollo Online Assessment.

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Stage 2. Behavioural Styles Questionnaire

The next stage of the process is the Behavioural Styles Questionnaire (BSQ) and should you be eligible with

your application, you will be invited to complete this during week commencing the 22nd June. Please note the

deadline to complete this assessment will be the 28th June. If you are unable to complete this assessment

within this time period, we will not be able to consider your application any further. This assessment is not

timed, you should allow approximately 15-20 minutes to complete this in a quiet location. This assessment

explores your preferred behaviours in a working environment. No revision or additional study is required for this

element.

Candidates that pass the Behavioural Styles Questionnaire will be invited to proceed to complete the

Situational Judgement Test from the 06th July.

Stage 3. Situational Judgement Test

Should you successfully pass the Behavioural Styles Questionnaire (BSQ) you will be invited to complete the

Situational Judgement Test (SJT) during week commencing the 06th July. The deadline to complete this

online assessment will be the 12th July. If you are unable to complete this assessment within this time period,

we will not be able to consider your application any further. This assessment is not timed. You should allow

approximately 30 minutes to complete this assessment in a quiet location. The Situational Judgement Test

measures your judgement and decision making skills in situations that are typical in the Fire and Rescue

Service. No knowledge or experience as a Firefighter is required to complete this test and no prior revision is

needed.

Stage 4. Ability Tests

If you meet the requirements of the above online assessments, you will be invited to complete the Ability

Tests between the dates of 20th July to the 02nd August. The deadline for this assessment is the 02nd

August. These assessments are timed and it is advised you complete them in a quiet location. This stage

involves completing a series of tests which are detailed below:

Numerical Reasoning This test measures your ability to understand, interpret and logically evaluate numerical information. You will be presented with graphs, charts and numerical details and required to make calculations on the information presented. There are 18 questions within this assessment are you will have 18 minutes to complete this. Mechanical Reasoning This test measures your ability to apply general mechanical principles that supports practical problem solving. You will be presented with a series of diagrams and asked to answer questions to demonstrate your understanding of the mechanical principles applicable. There are 20 questions within this assessment and it has a maximum time limit of 17 minutes.

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Verbal Reasoning This test measures your ability to understand and interpret written information. You will be presented with a passage of text and asked to answer questions to demonstrate your ability to interpret and analyse verbal information. There are 20 questions and you will have a maximum time limit of 15 minutes. If you are successful at the Ability Tests then you will be required to attend the physical testing stage of the process.

Stage 5. Physical Testing

Successful candidates will be invited to complete the physical testing stage from week commencing the 17th August.

Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that involves a wide variety of tasks that are both physically and mentally arduous. It is essential that firefighters maintain their physical health and fitness to meet the demands of the job and perform tasks optimally. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and body composition are major determinants of Firefighter performance. Consequently, an appropriate level of physical fitness is a key element in ensuring Firefighter effectiveness and in protecting their health and safety.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service considers personal safety very seriously and the equipment you will use during the tests will have been examined, tested and maintained. All candidates will be required to complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire before physical testing can be arranged. Applicants should expect to perform tests in controlled surroundings. Before the physical tests you will be given a demonstration by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service staff. All tests are supervised, assessed and marked.

Each test will involve physical effort. In some cases this will be at a high level over a short period. It is advisable not to eat or drink one hour prior to your test. Multi-Stage Shuttle Run Test 20m (Bleep test) Candidates will be required to: Conduct shuttle runs in progressively increasing intensity, to allow for the assessment of physiological systems related to aerobic capacity performance (V̇O2Max). Shuttles will be conducted over 20-metre distances, with a cut off line at the end. The candidate will keep a pace in line with a set recording and will be required to pivot at each line which is spaced over the 20-metre distance and then return over the 20-metre distance. This will be repeated until the level of 8.7 is achieved or the candidate reaches voluntary exhaustion. Candidates will be stopped if monitored variables are of increased risk. Equipment Carry Test The equipment carry is a test of both your ability to withstand the physical demands of carrying items of fire service equipment and to follow clear instructions. This test simulates some of the items of equipment you may be expected to deploy during a fire service incident. What do you do? This test requires you to walk/jog/run back and forth along a 25 metre shuttle route for a total of 550 metres

Why?

To test your endurance combined with upper and lower body strength and co-ordination. Firefighters are required to carry a variety of equipment over a range of distances under time pressure

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Ladder Lift Test

The ladder lift is a test of both your ability to lift heavy equipment over head height and to follow clear instructions. The test simulates the physical demands expected of a firefighter to lift a 13.5 metre ladder to a position high enough to return it back on to the roof of a fire appliance. What will you do? The test requires you to lift a total load of 30kg up to 1.82 metres high. This test will be carried out on a purpose built simulation frame. Why? The test simulates the physical demands expected of a firefighter to lift a 13.5 metre ladder to a position high enough to return it back on to the roof of a fire appliance.

Casualty Evacuation

The casualty evacuation is a test of both your ability to drag a simulated average weight casualty over a reasonable distance and to follow clear instructions.

What will you do?

This test requires you to drag a 55kg casualty around a pre laid 30metre course. You must walk backwards at all times in order to pass the assessment.

Why?

The test simulates the physicals demands that expected of a firefighter to be able to achieve different rescues from varied incidents within the role.

Ladder Climb Test

As a firefighter you will attend a wide range of incidents were you will be required to climb ladders and work at height. What will you do? You will be required to climb a fire service ladder to two-thirds of its height; this point of the ladder will be marked. You will then be required to take a leg lock through the ladder and release your hands from the ladder, arms outstretched to the side and look down to identify a symbol. For the purpose of the ladder climb test, applicants will be secured to a safety device. Why? This test demonstrates an ability to tolerate working at heights together with the need to remain calm and confident in this situation and the ability to follow instructions. Also to test your aptitude, confidence, co-ordination and balance at height. Enclosed Space Test As a firefighter you will be required to wear a breathing apparatus face mask and be calm and confident to navigate and make your way in and out of spaces safely. What will you do? Wearing a breathing apparatus face mask with clear vision you will crawl/walk through a pre-determined route in a training environment, negotiating obstacles and restricted access. When you reach the other end at this point your face mask will be obscured and you will be required to return along the same route.

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Why? To assess your ability to remain calm and move around in a confined space with obscured vision. Firefighters have to wear breathing apparatus in dark and dangerous conditions and rescue casualties from collapsed structures. This test mirrors those conditions.

Equipment Assembly Test

Firefighters on a regular basis have to assemble equipment, be that in training environments or at incidents where having that piece of equipment as fast as safely possible is life critical. What will you do? You will be required to assemble and disassemble pieces of equipment under timed conditions. Why? To test your ability to work with pieces of equipment under pressure situation, Firefighters are required to assemble pieces of equipment accurately and under pressure in their daily work.

Stage 6. Interviews Candidates successful at the Physical Testing stage will be invited to interview from week commencing the 07th September.

Stage 7. Medical and Fitness Test

Candidates successful at interview will be invited to stage 7 which is the completion of medicals and an in depth

fitness assessment V̇O2Max . These will be completed from week commencing the 19th October.

Prior to the medical you will be sent a Certificate of Visual Acuity Form which you must take to an Optician to complete to check your eyesight. Please note that we do not reimburse any expenses incurred in connection with the completion of this form. You will also be required to undertake a full medical examination by the Service’s Occupational Health Advisor. Each candidate will be expected to supply a urine sample at the Medical, this will be sent to an accredited laboratory for substance misuse testing.

Please be aware that should your eyesight or medical examination not meet the required standard your application will not proceed any further. An applicant must satisfy the Service’s Occupational Health Advisor at a medical examination that he/she is:

Fit to undertake firefighting duties.

Has no physical abnormality or any disease which would incapacitate him/her temporarily or permanently from performing firefighting duties. Certain medical standards have been set.

Has a satisfactory lung function, assessed by the measurement of the forced expiratory volume in one second and the forced vital capacity.

Has a high standard of physical fitness, strength and stamina.

The visual acuity and fields of vision of each candidate will be assessed on an individual basis to determine if the candidate is safe to undertake firefighting duties, given the risks involved. Eyesight will be tested thoroughly by a separate eyesight examination undertaken by a qualified optometrist. Any costs incurred for these tests will be paid for by the candidate.

Has good unaided hearing. Hearing will be tested.

Each candidate will be expected to submit a urine sample at the Medical, this will be sent to laboratory to be tested.

Candidates will be expected to complete a consent form in order to obtain information from your GP. Confirming that your declared past medical history is correct, until this info is secured a decision will not be made on the proceeding of the application

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All medicals will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Advisor and the Service Medical Advisor. Following receipt of the medical information supplied by your GP you will be advised if any further examinations or tests are required in order to progress your application.

Direct gas analysis (Breath by Breath) V̇O2Max

Direct gas analysis (Breath by Breath) incremental test protocols are widely regarded as the superior method of electing V̇O2Max in an individual. Incremental protocols usually create an increase in work rate by increasing either speed incline or both on a treadmill or on a cycling ergometer by increasing the resistance at set intervals referred to as stages. These allow the body to reach V02max by the systematic increase in work rate until the individual can no longer obtain the desired power or work rate output, which then concludes the test protocol. Using direct gas analysis to obtain V02max volumes is the most accurate form of physiological testing. However, these need to be conducted by a trained professional to ensure client safety and accuracy in the interpretation of results.

What you do?

You will be required to run on a treadmill following a set incremental protocol which is designed to elicit maximal values of aerobic capacity (V̇O2Max). You will be fitted with a HR monitor, and face fitted monitoring equipment and asked to follow the protocol which increases in speed and gradient over 8-14 minutes.

Why? Studies comparing firefighting tasks in both laboratory and gym environments have been used to predict and establish the cardiorespiratory minimal operational value of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) 42.3ml/kg/min-1 that is required to perform the most arduous tasks a firefighter may be required to carry out (e.g. Compartment fires).

Stage 8. Training Course

Successful candidates will attend induction week commencing 05th April 2021. Training will commence from the

12th April. The 12 week programme will be completed at our Training Centre in Easingwold. More information on

the training course will be provided to candidates through the process. Questions on this stage of the process

can also be emailed to the HR team on recruitment@northyorksfire.gov.uk

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Further Information and FAQ’s Covid-19 Government guidelines We are constantly reviewing national guidelines in relation to Covid-19. Any required changes to the selection process will be communicated at the relevant stage. Age and height requirements There are no height limits within the fire service. However, applicants must be 18 years of age or over at the commencement of training. You may apply to be a 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. Your date of birth is verified as part of the application process. Health and Safety Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Service as an employer, has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees. Employees have a duty of care for their own health and safety and that of others who could be affected by their acts of negligence. In addition, they are required to co-operate with their employer to carry out or comply with any duty imposed under statutory provisions. The Service endeavours to fulfil its obligations under the Act and it expects its employees to do likewise. When can I apply? When the registration opens on 08th June 2020. Is there a limit to the number of applications you are taking? No, there is no limit to how many applications we will accept. I have missed the deadline to register and apply, can I have an extension? Unfortunately no, the campaign is strictly timetabled. I have unspent convictions, do I need to disclose these? Yes, all unspent convictions must be declared. If you are successful and offered a job, you will need an enhanced DBS check. I have a driving offence, do I have to inform you? Yes, you must inform us if your licence is endorsed, giving details about the nature of the offence, offence code and also give details of the penalty. If you had to attend court you will need to give details of the outcome. I have a hidden disability? As part of the application process, you will be given the opportunity to specify your disability. Fire and Rescue Authorities are required to assess each applicant on an individual basis, regarding their suitability to perform the role of a firefighter, in accordance with the Equality Act legislation. This means we will consider what reasonable adjustments could be made to enable you to proceed with your application provided any such adjustments do not contravene Health and Safety legislation.

I have tattoos can I still apply? Yes you can apply, staff are permitted to have tattoos. However, tattoos that are visible which may be considered to be offensive in nature are not permitted.

Do I need to live in North Yorkshire to apply? No, you don’t have to live in North Yorkshire to apply. However, firefighters appointed to our day crewed and self roster stations must reside within four minutes of their station, during on duty periods, in order to meet their on-call responsibilities.

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I live abroad or have lived abroad can I still? Yes, however you have to satisfy the Service duty under the Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. The law prevents illegal working as set out in section 15 to 25 of the Act. The Service will request relevant documentation from all those offered employment in order to satisfy its obligation. If I work away or have prearranged commitments, is there any flexibility for attending physical testing and interviews? We are adhering to a strict timetabled process. Where possible we may be able to offer flexibility but this cannot be guaranteed.

Eyesight, colour blindness etc. Candidates will be assessed on an individual basis to determine if the candidate is safe to undertake firefighting duties, given the risks involved. Hearing? Candidates must have good unaided hearing. I am asthmatic, can I still apply? Yes, you are required to declare if you are asthmatic or have in the past used an inhaler. This will be assessed during the selection process.

Please visit our website for videos and associated information which will be added in line with the different stages.

Good luck with your application!

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Contacts

Email – Recruitment@northyorksfire.gov.uk

Facebook – northyorksfire

Twitter - @northyorksfire / @NyfrsR