Are there any Fireman on NSC?

[Bry Nylon]

After ten years in the Fire & Rescue Service I have 4 points to add:

1. When you pot a red, always make sure your are on for the black or failing
that can get the cue ball back up to the bulk for a half-decent safety
shot.

2. You will be offered 2 types of Dr Marten shoes: Lace up or slip-on.
Always opt for slip-on.

3. Don't believe people who tell you its all about snooker.*

4. Thank you for your PM. When I get some time I will respond more fully
(and hopefully more helpfully). Good luck.







* Tuesdays we play Volleyball.

 

[Bry Nylon]

I am wondering if there are any Fireman on NSC? Ever since I can remember and after countless hours of watching Fireman Sam as a kid, it's all I have ever wanted to be. I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be, being a full time Fireman would be my dream job.

At the age of 20, I am now seriously looking to get the ball rolling.

Sorry; not had a chance to add a helpful reply until now.

1. Don't mention Fireman Sam at interview, it rarely goes down well.
2. If you are only 20, you will need to demonstrate exemplary maturity and life experience to progress to final selection.
3. If successful, you will see and be asked to deal with things that right now you couldn't even imagine, so be prepared for that. Because afterwards you have to go home and be a normal Dad, husband, boyfriend, son, whatever.
4. If you can't take discipline, and being bollocked, go no further.
5. If you have empathy, the right attitude, like working as part of a team and can sink a long red whilst still being able to get back to the baulk cushion - well, you're halfway there.


Good luck. Wish I was 20 again.

 

[DanielT]

I am wondering if there are any Fireman on NSC?

Am I the only one who thinks you're trying to hook up?

 

[NickBHAFC18]

Sorry; not had a chance to add a helpful reply until now.

1. Don't mention Fireman Sam at interview, it rarely goes down well.
2. If you are only 20, you will need to demonstrate exemplary maturity and life experience to progress to final selection.
3. If successful, you will see and be asked to deal with things that right now you couldn't even imagine, so be prepared for that. Because afterwards you have to go home and be a normal Dad, husband, boyfriend, son, whatever.
4. If you can't take discipline, and being bollocked, go no further.
5. If you have empathy, the right attitude, like working as part of a team and can sink a long red whilst still being able to get back to the baulk cushion - well, you're halfway there.


Good luck. Wish I was 20 again.

Appreciated.

 

[Dan Gleeballs]

Google PQAs Nick. That's what its all about these days. You need adequate examples if your gonna pass any brigade interview

 

[junior]

I'm not sure what their annual salary is but it's more than mine which is why it's bloody annoying that I've had to cover for them twice when they've felt the need to go on strike because they don't get paid enough.
I've also heard on the grape vine that even though all (i inclucde firemen) public sector workers are getting their pensions dramatically cut, the Fire Service will come out the other side with the best pension because the Govt. fear them going on strike again.

Secondly, DON'T bother with the RAF Fire Service if you ever want to do anything that remotely resembles fighting a fire.

Thirdly, I'm leaving the Armed Forces within the next few years and would aspire to go into the Emergency Services. I always wanted to join the Police but decided to go into the forces first to learn how to get shouted at without pissing my pants. I was a POLICE CADET and everything!!!

I am under the impression that the Police are not recruiting full stop at the moment nationwide, and the Fire Service is in pretty much the same boat. Could any of our resident Fireman/coppers confirm or deny?

 

[smudge]

Try & get some sort of NVQ in hedge trimming or landscape gardening.

Learn the difference between a dividing breech & a collecting breech.

 

[ali jenkins]

One of my very good mates has been a Fireman for about a year now. It took him the best part of 3 years from first applying to starting his training. Its not easy, I think he said about 3000 people applied and there was only about 30 who made the training stage out of that batch, then the hard stuff started. He also had to apply in London because neither East or West Sussex are recruiting at the moment (or they wern't planning to in the near future at the time).

However, ever since he started the training and even more-so in the year since he passed out he has loved every second of it.

Its really not easy to get in and could quite easily take you years and a few failed attempts to get in but if you stick with it then it does sound like a really rewarding and enjoyable (mostly) job.

Good luck

 

[Dan Gleeballs]

One of my very good mates has been a Fireman for about a year now. It took him the best part of 3 years from first applying to starting his training. Its not easy, I think he said about 3000 people applied and there was only about 30 who made the training stage out of that batch, then the hard stuff started. He also had to apply in London because neither East or West Sussex are recruiting at the moment (or they wern't planning to in the near future at the time).

However, ever since he started the training and even more-so in the year since he passed out he has loved every second of it.

Its really not easy to get in and could quite easily take you years and a few failed attempts to get in but if you stick with it then it does sound like a really rewarding and enjoyable (mostly) job.

Good luck

Very much this although opportunities are sparse these days. I got in to Hampshire at the right time & after 5 years of travelling I'm happily transferred into my home brigade.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

A few more tips for you to consider, mainly about preparing for the selection process:

1. As mentioned elsewhere be prepared to apply and travel to any FRS across the South East including London as most have had a freeze on recruitment due to the financial situation. Opportunities are very rare and competition is fierce. Each FRS will have a contact number to find out the latest position, normally at the Personnel Dept. Check online.

2. Don't underestimate the intensity of the selection process, as plenty do. There will be guidance re. the technical and physical tests. The practical tests require certain techniques that even the fittest can can fail without preparation, so get fit but also be well prepared. The basic training is hard and you will learn a lot about yourself and your own capabilities (especially as a 20 year old!) but is a real acheivement. It doesn't end there - you are not considered qualified or competent as a basic firefighter until you have demonstrated all of the skills and knowledge over 2 years and then you are continually assessed plus new skills are added all the time and thats before you think about whether you want to progress within the Service. In practice most firefighters would agree that you never stop learning on the job because the public are forever inventing ways to get themselves into trouble, but thats part of the appeal - it can be unpredictbale.

3. Don't put yourself through the selection process if you haven't seriously thought about what the job entails. It isn't all the stereotypical image or even glamorous, it can be hard and unpleasant. You will be expected to walk into situations that others run away from, in effect you are there to clear up other peoples messes. It isn't everyone's cup of tea and not for shrinking violets. A high portion of time is spent on training and doing preventative community safety work with much routine and menial stuff in between. There are anti-social shift patterns. The pay and pension is ok but you wont become a millionaire. The pension contributions are high (don't believe some of the crap on here - they always have been) and the benefits have been reduced but are still good enough to reflect it is not like most other jobs, there is a chance you will get injured or worse so the provisions are also for widows/widowers etc. Like most of the emergency services it is more of a vocation - either you want to help your community (or you don't). The reward is in doing the job well. You need to have a 'can do' mentality towards life and be able to pull your weight within a team. That attitude is what they look for on interview.

4. Look on FRSs websites, find out what they actually do, their priorities and targets, how they work, and are funded and what challenges they face and are innovating to work smarter with less funding. While much work within each FRS is broadly the same they have a diverse range of skills and equipment according to the risks in their local area and what national/regional specialisms they undertake such as search and rescue teams, swift water rescue, mass decontamination, dealing with hazardous materials etc. Be able to talk about this on interview.

5. If you live in a market town or village there may be a 'retained' fire station with staff who live and/or work within about 4 minutes of the station who guarantee a minimum number of hours availability per week. They often have most of the training and equipment as wholetime colleagues so can be a way of getting into the service and transferring across to the wholetime when recruitment is low. Find out when their training night is and call in for a chat as they often recruit at a more local basis.

6. There are other roles within FRSs such as in the Communications centres which could also provide a foot in the door.

7. Don't rule out applying to Airport or military fire services - their work is relevant, if a bit specialised, and there is occasional migration across to/from local FRSs. There is also a long history of recruitment from other military backgrounds into the FRS but thats no guarantee these days.

8. Finally don't use the term 'fireman' - its 'firefighter', ok it sounds American but is not gender specific.......so more PC! FRSs turn themselves inside out to be politically correct these days and will expect applicants to talk the talk.

Good luck.

 

[NickBHAFC18]

A few more tips for you to consider, mainly about preparing for the selection process:

1. As mentioned elsewhere be prepared to apply and travel to any FRS across the South East including London as most have had a freeze on recruitment due to the financial situation. Opportunities are very rare and competition is fierce. Each FRS will have a contact number to find out the latest position, normally at the Personnel Dept. Check online.

2. Don't underestimate the intensity of the selection process, as plenty do. There will be guidance re. the technical and physical tests. The practical tests require certain techniques that even the fittest can can fail without preparation, so get fit but also be well prepared. The basic training is hard and you will learn a lot about yourself and your own capabilities (especially as a 20 year old!) but is a real acheivement. It doesn't end there - you are not considered qualified or competent as a basic firefighter until you have demonstrated all of the skills and knowledge over 2 years and then you are continually assessed plus new skills are added all the time and thats before you think about whether you want to progress within the Service. In practice most firefighters would agree that you never stop learning on the job because the public are forever inventing ways to get themselves into trouble, but thats part of the appeal - it can be unpredictbale.

3. Don't put yourself through the selection process if you haven't seriously thought about what the job entails. It isn't all the stereotypical image or even glamorous, it can be hard and unpleasant. You will be expected to walk into situations that others run away from, in effect you are there to clear up other peoples messes. It isn't everyone's cup of tea and not for shrinking violets. A high portion of time is spent on training and doing preventative community safety work with much routine and menial stuff in between. There are anti-social shift patterns. The pay and pension is ok but you wont become a millionaire. The pension contributions are high (don't believe some of the crap on here - they always have been) and the benefits have been reduced but are still good enough to reflect it is not like most other jobs, there is a chance you will get injured or worse so the provisions are also for widows/widowers etc. Like most of the emergency services it is more of a vocation - either you want to help your community (or you don't). The reward is in doing the job well. You need to have a 'can do' mentality towards life and be able to pull your weight within a team. That attitude is what they look for on interview.

4. Look on FRSs websites, find out what they actually do, their priorities and targets, how they work, and are funded and what challenges they face and are innovating to work smarter with less funding. While much work within each FRS is broadly the same they have a diverse range of skills and equipment according to the risks in their local area and what national/regional specialisms they undertake such as search and rescue teams, swift water rescue, mass decontamination, dealing with hazardous materials etc. Be able to talk about this on interview.

5. If you live in a market town or village there may be a 'retained' fire station with staff who live and/or work within about 4 minutes of the station who guarantee a minimum number of hours availability per week. They often have most of the training and equipment as wholetime colleagues so can be a way of getting into the service and transferring across to the wholetime when recruitment is low. Find out when their training night is and call in for a chat as they often recruit at a more local basis.

6. There are other roles within FRSs such as in the Communications centres which could also provide a foot in the door.

7. Don't rule out applying to Airport or military fire services - their work is relevant, if a bit specialised, and there is occasional migration across to/from local FRSs. There is also a long history of recruitment from other military backgrounds into the FRS but thats no guarantee these days.

8. Finally don't use the term 'fireman' - its 'firefighter', ok it sounds American but is not gender specific.......so more PC! FRSs turn themselves inside out to be politically correct these days and will expect applicants to talk the talk.

Good luck.

Many thanks for that, really interesting and a lot of help!

 

[DanielT]

Avoid the expression "I like to fight fire with fire"

 

[Falkor]

not good news on the Argus today

Plan to cut firefighters across Sussex From The Argus)