Community Firefighter (Day Time Only) Candidate ... · We hope that this Candidate Information Pack...

Community Firefighter (Day Time Only)

Candidate Information Pack

CONTENTS

Page

Section 1

Foreword 3

Section 2

Organisational Information 4

Section 3

The Role

6

Section 4

Job Description 8

Section 5

Person Specification 13

Section 6

Conditions of Appointment 14

Section 7

Selection Process 19

Section 8

Important Guidance Notes for Applicants 27

Section 9

Additional Information 29

Section 10

Application Form Checklist 31

Community Firefighter Candidate Pack June 2015 Page 3 of 31

Section 1

Foreword

Thank you for your interest in the role of Community Firefighter (Day Time Only). This information pack is designed to provide you with an insight into the position and an overview of the selection process. We would encourage you to read each section before submitting an application.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is committed to ‘Protecting Our Community’ and serves the entire community, a population of 1.8 million in an area of over 5,500 square miles. We are proud to deliver a fire and rescue service, working in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Community Firefighters play a critical role in protecting the local community and many of our Fire Stations depend on the contribution of our part-time Firefighters to ensure we can respond to emergency calls. It is a worthwhile and rewarding role providing an opportunity to work as part of a team, receive excellent training and develop a wide range of skills and experience. In order to fulfil the role you will need to demonstrate that you meet a range of criteria including the ability to:

respond to an emergency call by attending the Fire Station within 5 minutes of being alerted;

be available for at least 40 hours, normally between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday each week in order to respond to emergency calls; and

meet the standard of physical fitness required to be successful in the role.

If you are already in employment you can still work as a Community Firefighter as long as your employer gives you consent to attend emergency calls. We hope that this Candidate Information Pack will enable you to decide if this is the right opportunity for you and we look forward to receiving your application.


Section 2

Organisational Information

NIFRS protects and serves the entire population of Northern Ireland, an area of over 5,500 square miles and with a population of 1.8 million, providing them with a range of fire and rescue services. Under The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, we respond to fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies including chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, search and rescue incidents, serious flooding and serious transport incidents. We provide a range of community engagement initiatives to help reduce risk and keep people safe from the dangers of fire and other types of incidents that we respond to. We have a dedicated 999 Regional Control Centre where all the fire 999 calls for Northern Ireland are answered and fire crews mobilised to respond. As an organisation we have a shared vision, a clear mission and values that underpin absolutely everything we do. Our Vision: Protecting Our Community. Our Mission: To deliver a fire and rescue service and work in

partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

Our Values:

We are committed to:

People - We value keeping our people safe and well trained;

Leadership - We value leading by example;

Teamwork - We value working together;

Integrity - We value the utmost integrity in everything we do;

Diversity - We value equality and fairness and we consider the needs of our staff and the community we serve;

Communication - We value open and honest communication with our staff and with all our stakeholders;

Partnership - We value working in partnership; and

Pursuit of Excellence - We value continuous improvement at all levels of our organisation.


Our Operational Structure We currently have 4 operational Area Commands – Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. Area Commanders, each responsible for one of the 4 Area Commands, manage operational activity on a day to day basis. Our 4 Area Commands are supported by 14 Districts, strategically placed across Northern Ireland and which create a community focus for NIFRS activities. District Commanders are responsible for the Fire Stations in their District. There are 68 Fire Stations across Northern Ireland each serving their local community. Our Headquarters and Regional Control Centre are based in Lisburn and our Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre is currently situated at Boucher Crescent in Belfast. NIFRS has 994 Community Firefighters in 59 Stations across Northern Ireland who work together with 917 Wholetime Firefighters to protect the local community. Further details in relation to Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are available on the NIFRS website: www.nifrs.org. You can also follow NIFRS on Social Media - Facebook (www.facebook.com/nifrsofficial) and Twitter (@nifrsofficial).

http://www.nifrs.org/

http://www.facebook.com/nifrsofficial


Section 3

The Role

What is a Community Firefighter? Community Firefighters play a critical role in protecting the local community and many of our Fire Stations depend on the contribution of our part-time Firefighters to ensure we can respond to emergency calls. Community Firefighters go about their daily business in the normal way until they receive an emergency call. They are notified by their personal pager which they carry when they are on duty. Community Firefighters will book themselves available for emergencies and if a call comes during the time they have stated they are available they make their own way to the Fire Station within 5 minutes of being called and then respond to the incident from the Station. Why become a Community Firefighter? Community Firefighters make a vital contribution to the safety of their community. Becoming a Community Firefighter provides you with a worthwhile and rewarding role serving the local community. It is also an opportunity to work as part of a team, receive excellent training and gain a wide set of skills. As a Community Firefighter you will receive excellent training to ensure that you meet the requirements of the role. If you are already in employment you can still work as a Community Firefighter as long as your employer gives you consent to attend emergency calls. Your employer will then benefit from the new skills which you would bring to the workplace. What to expect from the role Firefighting is not like any other job, it can be unpredictable, exciting and rewarding. Community Firefighters do not just respond to emergencies, they are involved in community education, fire and accident prevention activities all designed to protect the local community. What would be expected from me? As a Community Firefighter you would be required to respond to an emergency call within 5 minutes of being alerted at times when you have stated you are available. You are not expected to give up all your spare time, we ask for a minimum commitment of 40 hours out of 50 hours per week, normally between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.


You will also need to attend a drill night for 2 hours per week and all training. The training requirement for Community Firefighters is approximately 12 days per year (after completion of initial training) and normally takes places at weekends. You need to be physically fit and to maintain fitness throughout your career. As such you will have to undergo regular fitness assessments to ensure you are fit enough to perform the role. What qualities and skills are required for the job? The Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs) for the role are detailed below and further information can be found in the attached separate document.

Commitment to Diversity & Integrity

Understands and respects diversity and adopts a fair and ethical approach

Openness to Change

Is open to change and actively seeks to support it

Confidence & Resilience

Maintains a confident and resilient attitude in highly challenging situations

Working with Others

Works effectively with others both within the Fire and Rescue Service and in the community

Effective Communication

Communicates effectively both orally and in writing

Commitment to Development

Committed and able to develop self and others

Problem Solving

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

Situational Awareness

Maintains an active awareness of the environment to promote safe and effective working

Commitment to Excellence

Adopts a conscientious and proactive approach to work to achieve and maintain excellent standards

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification within this pack for full details of the requirements for this role.


Section 4

Job Description

TITLE: COMMUNITY FIREFIGHTER GRADE: FIREFIGHTER LOCATION: NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE RESPONSIBLE TO: CREW COMMANDER

This Job Description reflects the tasks, responsibilities and

accountabilities associated with the post.

To meet the changing needs and circumstances of the Organisation, Job Descriptions will be reviewed from time to time,

for example, as each new vacancy is advertised. Such reviews will be carried out with the Representative Body.

SECTION I THE ROLE OF THE FIREFIGHTER The primary role of the Firefighter is to protect and save people and property from fire and other hazards and to contribute to improving community safety. The postholder will carry out this role through the performance of key tasks and responsibilities as specified in the job description. KEY TASKS OF THE JOB

1.1 Inform and educate your community to improve awareness of

safety.

Promote safety matters to inform your community – Assist the Crew Commander to co-ordinate safety matters allocated to the Watch including responding to direct requests for safety information, leaflet drops, house to house visits, home safety inspections, Station visits, chip pan and first-aid firefighting demonstrations.

Facilitate learning through demonstration and instruction – Assist learning and promote understanding of safety matters through demonstration of fire safety, first-aid firefighting, calling emergency services and awareness raising of the role of the Fire & Rescue Service in the community.


1.2 Take responsibility for effective performance.

Take responsibility for personal performance – Through proactive involvement in taking responsibility for your performance, including ensuring your own health and fitness for work is in line with the Service Occupational Health Policy.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships and promote fairness at work and equal opportunities with people – Through commitment to and involvement in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, team members, line managers and external contacts.

Develop your own skills to improve your performance – Through personal involvement in and commitment to continually improving your performance through self-assessment and proactive action to resolve your development needs. It includes your involvement in debriefs and performance reviews and use of your Personal Development Record.

1.3 Save and preserve endangered life.

Conduct a search to locate life involved in incidents –Through your ability to search for people who are in some form of difficulty or danger through involvement in an incident. This may include searches in a range of locations and hazardous environments usually as a team member.

Rescue life involved in incidents – Through your ability to move endangered people to a place of safety. This may involve extricating the person using relevant equipment, releasing a trapped person, moving conscious and unconscious people to a place of safety. You may also be involved in the rescue of trapped animals.

Provide treatment to casualties – Through your ability to administer immediate treatment to casualties, which will assist to stabilise the casualty’s condition and preserve life. The level of treatment you provide must be within the limits of the training you have received, in line with Service policy with the aim of preparing casualties for handing over to other agencies. This will include basic life support and casualty handling.

Support people involved in rescue operations – Through your ability to give physical and emotional support to people directly or indirectly involved in a rescue incident. This includes reassuring and comforting people, protecting their dignity, maintaining security at the scene and liaison with other agencies. This also includes dealing with deceased.


1.4 Resolve operational incidents.

Control and extinguish fire – Through your ability to work as a team member responding to incidents involving fire. You will apply your skills to control and extinguish the fires.

Resolve incidents other than those involving fire and hazardous materials – Through your ability to respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents and special service calls such as lift rescues, lock ins/outs, pumping out water or providing water. Supporting other services for potential incidents and standing by for potential life risks.

Support people involved in an operational incident – Through your ability to give physical and emotional support to people directly and indirectly involved in operational incidents. This includes reassuring and comforting people, protecting their privacy and dignity, maintaining security at the scene and liaison with other services.

1.5 Protect the environment from the effects of hazardous materials.

Mitigate damage to the environment from hazardous materials – Through your ability to work as a team member responding to incidents involving hazardous materials. You are required to use your skills and the appropriate equipment to minimise both actual and potential damage to the environment.

Decontaminate people and property affected by hazardous materials – Through your ability to work as a team member and use your skills and appropriate equipment to set up decontamination areas and apply the correct decontamination method with regard to the potential impact on people, property and the environment.

Support people involved in hazardous materials incidents – Through your ability to give physical and emotional support to people directly and indirectly involved in hazardous materials incidents. This includes reassuring and comforting people, protecting their privacy and dignity, maintaining security at the scene and liaison with other services.

1.6 Support effectiveness of operational response.

Collect information on risks in your community – Through your ability to collect information to support operational intelligence from a wide range of sources, including SOP 12 and 4.2.d inspections. You need to assess the actual and potential risks in your community, which involve life, property and process risks. To do this you need to visit the risks and exchange information with both internal and external contacts.


Collect information on resources in your community – Through your ability to collect information on resources in your community, this relates to the availability of operational resources available in the community. To do this you need to visit existing resources and investigate new resources to establish their availability.

Maintain internal resources – Through your knowledge of and ability to undertake routine maintenance, testing and recording of operational equipment, appliances and personal protective equipment available for use.

1.7 Support the development of colleagues in the workplace.

Communicate your skills and knowledge to colleagues – Through your ability to pass your skills and knowledge to others at key opportunities, to assist colleagues to improve their understanding and performance. These opportunities will occur during normal working, debriefs, training and performance reviews.

Support development of colleagues – Through your ability to actively provide support to your colleagues in the development of their skills and competence through demonstration and instruction. This may apply to new and existing colleagues who are new to a working situation or demand.

1.8 Contribute to fire safety solutions to minimise risks to your

community.

Inspect premises to minimise risks to people, property and the environment – Conduct fire safety inspections individually and with Watch/Station members. This will include confirming arrangements with contacts and conducting the inspection to set criteria.

Report on issues arising at inspection – Prepare and produce written and verbal reports on fire safety inspections. Your reports will be in the agreed format and produced to a specified deadline.

1.9 Drive, manoeuvre and re-deploy fire service vehicles.*

Drive vehicles to incidents – Through your ability to make sure your vehicle is ready for operational use and your ability to plan your route to the incident. Take account of factors that may influence your progress and your ability to take action to deal with contingencies. You will ensure that your vehicle arrives safely and undamaged in the optimum response time.

Manoeuvre, site and re-deploy vehicles – Through your ability to site your vehicle in a safe and secure location at incidents. You can undertake your duties at the incident and return your vehicle to its next appointed location.


All Firefighters will be actively involved in the mandatory key tasks 1.1-1.6 and a minimum of one of the key tasks 1.7-1.9. * Key task 1.9 is only for those Operational Firefighters who are

required by the organisation to drive Emergency Fire Appliances to Incidents. Therefore it will be a ‘silent’ unit for some individuals and an ‘active’ unit for others. The status of this unit will be determined by organisational need.

SECTION 2

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB

To carry out all duties commensurate with your role in a competent and effective manner to the highest standards of care and quality.

To be available to attend for duty in line with Service requirements and to respond immediately and safely to emergency incidents.

On a voluntary basis, there may be occasions when you will be required to undertake the duties of a higher role or be recalled to duty to assist with a serious incident.

To promote, uphold and implement all Service policies, plans and procedures, including, for example, Attendance Management and those relating to legal requirements such as Equality, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, etc.

To acquire and maintain all skills as determined by Area and Service requirements by undertaking any training deemed appropriate. The level of competence for the skills base will be measured in accordance with the relevant National Occupational Standards and Role Maps.

To participate in assessments of workplace performance undertaken by Crew/Watch Commanders including undergoing assessments in the workplace and during training events.

To maintain a level of fitness for work to carry out the duties of your role in line with the Service’s Occupational Health Policy when finalised.

To serve in any other post at the same role within the Service and carry out such other duties as may be required from time to time commensurate with your role.


Section 5

Person Specification

Applicants must meet the following criteria by the closing date for application and provide evidence in the relevant section on their application form of how they meet the criteria:

Essential Criteria Method of Identification/ Assessment

Be able to demonstrate that you are available for at least 40 hours, normally between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday each week in order to respond to emergency calls (For clarity the minimum availability requirement is 40 hours per week and the maximum is 50 hours per week during the hours specified)

Application Form

Be able to demonstrate that you are able to attend the 2 hour drill night each week

Application Form

Be able to demonstrate that you are able to attend all training which will normally take place on weekends and will be approximately 12 days per year (after initial training)

Application Form

Be able to demonstrate that you are able to respond to the Fire Station within 5 minutes of being alerted

Application Form Initial check at shortlisting Pre-employment check

Be able to demonstrate that you have the consent of your employer(s) to respond to emergency calls during normal working hours (if applicable)

Application Form Pre-employment check

Will be aged 18 years or over upon commencement of training on 16th November 2015

Application Form Monitoring Form Verification at Interview

Be able to demonstrate the necessary skills, personal qualities and attributes to be a Firefighter

Aptitude Tests Interview


Section 6

Conditions of Appointment – Day Time Contract

Conditions for Community Firefighters are contained in the Scheme of Conditions of Service for Local Authority Fire & Rescue Services. This summary is an indication of the conditions of appointment and is not intended to be exhaustive. 1 Pay Subject to satisfactory performance of duties, a Community Firefighter shall have a minimum entitlement to: (a) An annual retaining fee paid monthly. This is based upon attendance

at emergency calls and in accordance with the Incident Attendance and Availability Policy.

(b) Drill attendance fees for attending on drill nights for training and maintenance duties.

(c) Turnout fees for every occasion on which he/she is required to be a

member of a crew of an appliance responding to an emergency or other occurrence.

(d) Attendance fees for every occasion on which he/she responds to a

call within the specified time and is not required to crew an appliance. (e) Attendance fees for attending specialist courses at the Fire & Rescue

Service Training Centre (FRSTC), at a rate equivalent to a Wholetime Firefighter with comparable rank and length of service.

(f) Payment will be by credit transfer into a bank or building society

account. Current Rates

Fees Trainee Development Competent

Retaining Fee £1,635 per year

£1,703 per year

£2,179 per year

Drill Fee – per drill £19.90 £20.74 £26.54

Standby Fee – per standby

£9.01 £10.46

Turnout Fee* per turnout

£14.19 £17.09

Hourly Rate** £9.95 £10.37 £13.27

Disturbance Payment***

£3.82

*Turnout fee incorporates both an hourly rate** and disturbance payment***


2 Hours Community Firefighters (day time) will be required to:

Be available for at least 40 hours, normally between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday each week in order to respond to emergency calls;

Attend the drill night for the Station 2 hours per week; and

Attend all training required which will normally take place at weekends, approximately 12 days per year (after initial training).

Community Firefighters must record availability to respond to emergency calls on an electronic duty system and this will be monitored. You must attend emergency calls during the times when you have stated you are available. Availability is critical to the role of a Community Firefighter and failure to provide the minimum availability, or to attend emergency calls when you have indicated you are available, may result in your contract being terminated. 3 Duration Day time contracts are being piloted and therefore posts will initially be offered on a fixed term basis for 3 years with an option to become permanent if the pilot is successful. 4 Training

On entering NIFRS you must complete the following training:

Phase I - development will consist of 9 modules which should be completed within 18 months of appointment. (a) Basic training, normally at the local Station (or District), over 6 drill

periods and 5 weekends prior to going on operational duty. (b) Initial Retained Trainee Course - Fire & Rescue Service Training

Centre (one week). (c) Breathing Apparatus Course - Fire & Rescue Service Training

Centre (one week), plus 2 weekends at local location. (d) Road Traffic Collision Course - Fire & Rescue Service Training

Centre (one week or 2 weekends).

(e) Fire Safety Course (one week or 2 weekends).

(f) First Aid or FPOS Course - Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre (one week or 2 weekends).

(g) Compartment Firefighting Behaviour Course (2 days - one weekend).


(h) Pump Operator Course (one week or 2 weekends). (i) Working at Height Course (one day).

Phase II - will consist of ongoing work based assessments followed by a Competent Rate of Pay Assessment at 36 months. If successful, you will be deemed to be a Competent Community Firefighter.

Phase III - ongoing maintenance.

Phase I, II and III will also involve a regular weekly training commitment at the local Station (or District) which is currently 2 hours duration and also attendance at courses held at FRSTC or other designated location which will involve weekend training.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service reserves the right to vary these time limits depending on the exigencies of the Service and on the individual's availability for training and his/her general progress.

5 Pension On joining the Service you will become a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015. The current contribution rates are:

10% of pensionable pay as a trainee & during development

12.2% of pensionable pay when competent

18.8% employer contribution. Under the terms of the Social Security (NI) Order (1986), you are entitled to opt out of the Pension Scheme. Further details will be issued on commencement of employment. 6 Probation Appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of 2 years from the date of appointment. If, during this period, conduct, attendance or performance becomes the subject of disciplinary action, the formal disciplinary procedure will be invoked and the normal time limits relating to the various stages of warning will be reduced. You will be obliged to follow all the procedures and rules laid down by NIFRS from the commencement of employment. 7 Attendance at Calls It is important to be aware that you would be required to work what may be considered to be unsocial hours at times. The nature of this day time contract reduces the unsocial element of work; however, you will need to be available for a minimum of 40 hours out of 50 hours per week, usually between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. This will include working public holidays.


As a Community Firefighter you may not be able to take part in regular social activities on drill nights and you are not guaranteed leave on public holidays, etc. However, you are entitled to request annual leave in line with NIFRS policy (see item 15). 8 Notice Requirements If you wish to resign you must give NIFRS 1 month’s notice in writing. In the event NIFRS terminates your employment, except in the case of summary dismissal, you will be entitled to not less than 1 week’s notice, up to a maximum of 12 weeks dependant on length of continuous service. 9 Canvassing Canvassing, in any form, oral or written, direct or indirect, will, if proven, lead to disqualification. 10 Pre-Employment Checks Appointment is subject to: (i) Successful completion of numeracy and literacy tests; (ii) Successful completion of fitness test; (iii) Distance checks; (iv) Alerter checks; (v) Verification of employer consent (if applicable); (vi) A satisfactory medical examination; (vii) A satisfactory enhanced disclosure through Access NI will be required

prior to appointment. Further details can be found on the AccessNI website at www.accessni.gov.uk;

(viii) Receipt of satisfactory references

11 In-Scope Driving Candidates need to consider if they are currently employed whether their employment falls under the In-Scope Driving Regulations as this may affect your capability to provide availability. In accordance with EU Directive 561/2006, an “in-scope” driver is defined as “the driver of a goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes or a passenger vehicle with 9 or more seats”. 12 Uniform All items of uniform and equipment are provided free and Community Firefighters are required to keep them clean and in good order. 13 Sick Leave On completion of training and on appointment to firefighting duties, Community Firefighters are covered by occupational sick pay provisions.

http://www.accessni.gov.uk/


14 Injury on Duty A Community Firefighter who is injured without his/her own default while on duty is covered, from the date of taking up duty, by a scheme which provides compensation for loss of earnings. 15 Annual Leave There are generous leave provisions for Community Firefighters.


Section 7

Selection Process

The selection and assessment process is outlined below:

Stage 6 - Appointment Those who have successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process will be made an offer in merit order, subject to the number of posts available. The highest performing candidates will be offered immediate vacancies. A reserve list of successful candidates will be held for 12 months. Should further vacancies arise during the reserve list period; candidates will be made an offer in rank order.

Stage 1 – Application Form & Shortlisting The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3.00 pm on Friday, 10 July 2015.

Stage 2 – Aptitude Tests Candidates will be invited to undertake a series of aptitude tests in August/September 2015 including: Dead Lift, Ladder Extension, Ladder Ascent & Decent, Hose Running, Breathing Apparatus & Enclosed Space.

Stage 3 - Interviews It is anticipated that interviews will be held in September/October 2015 and will assess key personal qualities, and attributes (PQAs) for the role. Second interviews may be held in the event of candidates having the same final selection score.

Stage 4 - Pre-Employment Checks – Conditional Offers Subject to Checks, Fitness Test & Pre-Employment Health Assessment

Numeracy & Literacy Tests – confirmation of literacy and numeracy skills. Fitness Test – successful completion of Chester Treadmill Test/Vo2 max test. Distance Checks – routes checked between response address to the Fire Station to ensure response rates are within 5 minutes. Alerter Checks – checks completed by Communications Department. Employer Consent – written consent from employers and visits conducted by District. Criminal Records Check - a satisfactory enhanced disclosure through Access NI will be required prior to appointment. References – Offers of appointment are conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references.

Stage 5 - Pre-Employment Health Assessment The medical assessment will include the following elements: medical questionnaire, colour blindness test, eyesight test, hearing test, blood pressure and urinalysis.


Stage 1 – Application Form & Shortlisting

You are advised to read the Candidate Information Pack fully to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the commitment required to participate in the selection process. Please also follow the guidance notes in Section 8 prior to completion and submission of your application form. The information provided in your application form plays a vital role in the shortlisting process. Only those who have sufficiently demonstrated on their application form that they meet the criteria by the closing date will be invited to the next stage.

Stage 2 – Aptitude Tests

If you are shortlisted at Stage 1, you will then be invited to attend Aptitude Tests at Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre. The Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre is a disciplined environment and a Community Firefighter must be conditioned in training to react immediately and instinctively to the commands of Officers at emergency incidents and you should expect to be treated with the same level of discipline as you would on a Trainee Firefighters' Course. These are Practical Aptitude Tests and you will be provided with details regarding appropriate clothing for participating. If you need to wear corrective lenses to see clearly you must declare this to the NIFRS testers and confirm that the glasses you will be using are either safety glasses with polycarbonate (plastic) lenses; or spectacles with lenses made of a plastic material, not glass. Alternatively, if you are wearing contact lenses you must declare that these are soft plastic or semi-rigid silicone lenses, not glass. Please note for safety reasons you will not be permitted to wear glasses during the Breathing Apparatus/Enclosed Space test. Each aptitude test has a minimum standard. If you do not reach the minimum standard, your application will no longer be considered and you will not be allowed to take any further tests. You will be informed if you do not reach the standard and the reason will be explained. You will receive notification of the result in writing. The order in which you take the tests may be different to the order they are laid out in this pack.

The table which follows sets out the tests to be undertaken, the aptitudes and abilities which will be assessed and the measures of acceptable performance.

Aptitude Tests

The following table sets out the skills to be measured, the tests to be performed and the measures of Acceptance Performance. Candidates will be briefed by an Assessor before each test and given a demonstration, where applicable, on what to do.

Aptitude Test Aptitude/Ability to be Measured Test to be Performed Measure of Acceptable Performance

Dead Lift Test Moving – Explosive & continuous strength

Candidate to raise a weight (50 kg) to the upright standing position and lower it to the grounded position

Candidate to raise weight to the upright lock out position within five (5) seconds and hold weight for five (5) seconds

Ladder Extension Operating - Co-ordination, dexterity, rate control, reaction time Moving - Stamina, flexibility, explosive & continuous strength

Candidate to raise a weight (up to 30 kg) equivalent to a proportion of the weight required to extend a 9 metre ladder and lower it under control to the grounded position

Candidate to raise weight to the full working height of the simulator within twenty (20) seconds

Ladder Ascent & Descent

Ability to work at height Operating – Co-ordination & Dexterity

Candidate to ascend a fully extended 13.5 metre ladder to a point two-thirds of the full working height, take a leg lock, remove hands from the ladder and look down to the assessor to identify the symbol being held aloft.

Candidate to ascend ladder, take leg lock, identify symbol held aloft and descend ladder within sixty (60) seconds

Hose Running Operating - Co-ordination, dexterity, rate control, reaction time Moving - Stamina, flexibility, continuous strength Intrapersonal - conscientious

Candidate to run out and make up three (3) lengths of 25 metre 70 mm hose.

Candidate to run out and make up three (3) lengths of hose in five (5) minutes

Breathing Apparatus & Enclosed Space Test

Ability to work in a confined space. Operating - Co-ordination Moving - Stamina, flexibility, continuous strength

Candidate to negotiate a 72 metre crawl way which may involve wearing a BA set (not started up) and a face mask that is unobscured at the first stage of testing and obscured at the second stage.

Candidate to negotiate stage one (unobscured) of the crawl way within three (3) minutes. Candidate to negotiate stage two (obscured) of the crawl way within six (6) minutes


Stage 3 – Interview

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in the District Headquarters in which the Station is located during September/October 2015*. Please note that reschedule requests cannot be accommodated outside of the allocated dates of interviews. During the interview you will be asked a series of questions which will assess key Personal Qualities and Attributes for the role. Some of the questions require you to provide specific examples and responses should be structured as follows: Situation – outline and explain the situation Behaviour – how you dealt with the situation Outcome – what was the outcome and what you learned from the situation You must bring the following original documents to the interview:

Documentation check for the prevention of illegal working (eg, Passport, or Birth Certificate accompanied with proof of National Insurance Number – payslip or NI card)

Documentation checks to confirm age and date of birth (eg, Passport or Birth Certificate).

Successful candidates will be appointed to post in order of merit for each Station. NIFRS reserves the right to conduct a second interview in the event of candidates having the same final selection score. *Please note the date outlined is approximate and subject to change based on candidate numbers.


Stage 4 - Pre-Employment Checks

Conditional offers will be subject to successful completion of pre-employment checks:

1 Numeracy & Literacy Tests – this is to ensure you have an acceptable

level of numeracy and literacy.

2 Distance Checks – this is to ensure that you can respond to the Station within 5 minutes of being alerted whilst abiding by normal Road Traffic Regulations.

3 Alerter Checks – this is to ensure that a signal can be received once alerted.

4 Employer Consent (if applicable) – this is to confirm that you can be released to attend emergency calls if alerted. A follow up visit is conducted by District Officers with the employer.

5 Criminal Records Check - a satisfactory enhanced disclosure through AccessNI is required prior to appointment. Further details can be found on the AccessNI website at www.accessni.gov.uk

6 References – these will be requested from both referees named on your application form, one of which must be your current or most recent employer. You must be specific when providing address/contact details for referees.

7 Fitness Test – this will ensure that you have the required level of fitness to be a Community Firefighter. Details are provided below.

Fitness Test

You will be required to complete the Chester Treadmill Test (CTT) and we recommend that you start to prepare for this as soon as possible. The object of the test is to ensure that you reach the standard of Aerobic Capacity (42 Vo2 Max) required for a Community Firefighter. You will be asked to perform a treadmill test which is a brisk paced walking test which requires you to climb gradually increasing gradients.

The treadmill pace is set at 6.2 km/hr (3.8 mph) and the incline at 0% for 2 minutes.

Successful completion of the test requires you to walk unaided for a total time of 12 minutes with an increasing incline to 15% as follows:

http://www.accessni.gov.uk/


Level 1: 0-2 minutes at 0%. At 2 minutes increase the incline to 3%.





Level 6: 10-12 minutes at 15%.

What if I fail the fitness test? If you fail the treadmill fitness test you will be given the opportunity to take the test again after 3 weeks. If you fail the treadmill fitness test a second time you will be given the opportunity to complete another test using a Vo2 Max analyser (Covox Analyser). If you do not pass this test you cannot be appointed to the role.


Stage 5 - Pre-Employment Health Assessment

You will be required to undertake a pre-employment health assessment with NIFRS’ Senior Medical Advisor. The medical assessment will include the following elements: 1 Medical questionnaire

2 Hearing test

3 Blood pressure check and urinalysis. 4 Eyesight test including:

Uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 in the better eye and 6/24 in the worse

eye. Corrected visual acuity of 6/9 binocularly with a minimum of 6/12 in the

worse eye Have no history of night blindness or any ocular disease that is likely to

progress and result in future failure of the visual standards for Firefighters

Have an appropriate level of colour perception. Refractive Surgery

Individuals who have had Radial Keratotomy cannot be considered for operational firefighting duties due to the relatively high incidence of refractive instability. Individuals who have undergone some types of refractive surgery may be considered one year after surgery, however, you will be required to pass a LogMAR test to rule out poor visual performance in low contrast conditions. Medical Suitability Medical suitability is determined by an individual assessment. The nature and effect of medical conditions may vary and therefore is not possible to confirm medical conditions that would be unacceptable prior to an individual medical assessment. However, if you have a medical condition or a history of a medical condition which might present problems, the following general guidance should help you consider your medical suitability before applying. A medical condition or functional limitation which, despite any reasonable adjustments, gives rise to significantly increased occupational risk of the following is unacceptable:

Sudden collapse or sudden incapacitation

Impaired judgement


Altered awareness

Substantial physical or psychological injury/ill-health

Any other effect which would pose a substantial health and safety risk to yourself or others.

The individual assessment will involve due consideration of any opinions or medical reports you may wish to submit. However, the decision on the significance of any risks identified will rest with NIFRS.

Stage 6 - Appointment

Those who have successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process will be made an offer in rank order, subject to the number of posts available in each Station. The highest performing candidates will be offered immediate vacancies. A reserve list of successful candidates will be held for 12 months for each of the relevant Stations. Should further vacancies arise during the reserve list period, candidates will be made an offer in rank order.


Section 8

Important Guidance Notes for Applicants 1 Please read the candidate information pack before completing your

application form. 2 We will not accept CVs, letters, additional pages or any other

supplementary material in place of or in addition to completed application forms.

3 We do not accept applications via email. 4 You must complete all sections of the application form before your

application can be considered. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

5 You must sign your application form prior to submission. Application

forms without a signature will not be accepted and will result in disqualification.

6 All applications must be received by the closing date. Late applications will

not be accepted. 7 Ensure that the correct postage is applied as NIFRS will not pay excess

postage and as such any application forms with insufficient postage will not be accepted.

8 The space available on the application form is the same for all applicants

and must not be altered. 9 You must complete the application form in either typescript font size 12

or legible block capitals using black ink.

10 Candidates must not reformat application forms. The form has been locked to restrict editing.

11 Information in support of your application will not be accepted after the

closing date for receipt of applications. 12 You must provide evidence in the relevant section of the application

form that you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications.


13 You must provide sufficient information for your application to be

assessed bearing in mind the criteria for the post. Care should be taken to ensure that details are full, accurate and relevant to the post requirements. You must ensure that the information provided clearly demonstrates how you meet the criteria as failure to do so will result in your application not being shortlisted.

14 You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the relevant section

provided. Each criterion is assessed individually and must therefore be completed in full, i.e. you must not rely on information included in a previous section for another criterion.

15 Please print and sign your completed application form on single sided

pages prior to submission.

16 You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible following each stage of the selection process


Section 9

Additional Information Reasonable Adjustments If you require any assistance/reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability, please give details in the relevant section of the monitoring form on your application form. Details of any disability are only used for this purpose and do not form any part of the selection process. If you would like to speak to someone about reasonable adjustments, please contact the HR Manager Equality, Inclusion and Legal on Tel: 028 9266 4221. Equality Monitoring NIFRS is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, age, religious affiliation, political opinion, ethnic origin, dependants or sexual orientation. NIFRS selects those suitable for employment and advancement solely on the basis of merit. In order to comply with legislative requirements, you must complete the Equality Monitoring Form. This also allows us to monitor the effectiveness of our policy of equal opportunities in employment and effectiveness of our recruitment advertising. Please note, this form is regarded as part of your application and failure to complete and return it will result in your application being rejected. Assessment & Interview Documentation Following the introduction of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 in respect of the prevention of illegal working, NIFRS is obliged to conduct proof of identity and right to work in the UK checks. It is your responsibility to demonstrate you are entitled to work in the UK. If you are unable to produce the relevant documents, or the documents are not satisfactory, the offer of employment may be withdrawn. You are also required to produce original documents to verify your identity, one of which must be photographic identification. All candidates invited to attend for aptitude tests/interview must bring along the required documentation to satisfy the eligibility criteria and documentation checks for the prevention of illegal working. Further details regarding acceptable documentation will be issued with invitations.


Changes in Personal Circumstances Please ensure that you inform us immediately of any changes in personal circumstances. If you decide at any point during the recruitment process to withdraw your application, please inform us as soon as possible. Feedback Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, it will not be possible to provide feedback following any stage of the selection process. Appeals Please note that candidates cannot appeal any stage of the selection process.


Section 10

Application Form Checklist Please use the checklist below to help ensure that you have completed your form in full and are ready to submit your application.

Have you ……

Read the ‘Important Guidance Notes for Applicants’ on pages 27 - 28 of this information pack?

Read the ‘Selection Process’ in Section 7 of this information pack?

Clearly demonstrated how you meet all criteria requirements?

Provided full up-to-date details of 2 relevant referees?

Listed current/previous employment details since leaving education, including details of

posts held, exact dates (dd/mm/yy), and a brief summary of main duties?

Explained any gaps in employment and listed reasons for leaving previous employment?

Read and signed/agreed to the Personal Declaration? Remember, failure to provide

complete and accurate information may lead to a withdrawal of employment/offer of employment if this is subsequently discovered.

Completed your Equality Monitoring Form? By gathering this information from all

applicants it will help us continue to implement positive action programmes, to remove barriers to equality and promote concepts of diversity and equality of opportunity.

The job description and person specification will help you prepare for the selection process. If you have any queries or would like further information, please refer to the Careers Section of the NIFRS website at www.nifrs.org or contact the HR Manager, Resourcing and Employee Services on 028 9266 4221. We look forward to receiving your application.

http://www.nifrs.org/

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