I have a medical condition – can I still apply for this process?
Yes – full details of our fitness medical and eyesight requirements can be found here. All successful applicants will be required to pass the fitness, medical and eyesight tests and suitability for the role is decided by the Service Doctor based on all information available to them at the time.
I am diagnosed asthmatic, but it does not affect me. Will this prevent me from taking part in the fitness test?
As you have stated that you have been diagnosed asthmatic, it would be advisable to get a note from your GP stating that you are OK to take part in the fitness test.
You will still need to complete the PAR-Q form, and bring it along to the fitness test, along with all the other relevant documents that are required on the day.
I wear glasses / contact lenses or have had laser eye surgery, can I still apply?
Provided you meet the eyesight requirements. Firefighters are permitted to wear glasses and/or soft contact lenses. All successful applicants will be required to pass an eyesight test as part of their medical.
I am colour blind, can I still apply?
Colour blindness is not an automatic bar to recruitment. However, certain types may preclude you due to not being compatible with safety critical work. Protanopia, deuteranopia, monochromatism and tritanopia/tritanomaly are unfit for service as a firefighter. For colour blindness types outside the above, further specialist testing may need to be carried out prior to a decision being made on entry into the Service.
I have a hearing impairment, can I still apply?
All successful applicants must pass a medical test which will include a hearing test. Applicants for firefighting who meet the H2 standard should be considered fit for role. Applicants who score lower than H2 may be required to undertake additional functional testing before a decision on fitness can be determined.
If I do not successfully pass the bleep test will I get the opportunity to re-take this?
We are unable to offer the opportunity to re-take any element of the recruitment process, however we have extensive information including training guides you may choose to undertake in preparation for the fitness test here.
Are there different fitness requirements for men and women?
No – all our firefighters need to have the same level of fitness as they need to carry out the same tasks.
I am dyslexic, can I still apply?
Yes you can still apply, however we do ask whether you would require any reasonable adjustments to participate in this process. If this is the case you must outline what, if any, reasonable adjustments you require. We will need to see evidence from your specialist outlining the requirement for your reasonable adjustment.