Become a wholetime firefighter

There is no minimum height requirement to become a firefighter.

Yes! Although being a firefighter requires a good standard of fitness and practical ability, we’ll consider everyone on an individual basis and support you to reach your full potential.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. We are fully committed to:

• Ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive, fair and accessible,
• Communicating and promoting our vacancies,
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments, as required.

At the application stage, we will ask you to disclose if you have a disability and outline any special requirements you would like to request during the process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The Service is unable to assess your individual health until the medical stage and therefore would not be in a position to confirm your suitability until this point.

Find out more about how we support people with disabilities (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/embracing-equal-opportunities)

We have a dedicated support group for people with dyslexia, and will support you during your application process and throughout your time in the Service. Find out more about how we support people with dyslexia (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/embracing-equal-opportunities).

We actively encourage women to join the service! Find out more about how we support women in the Service (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/supporting-women). 

Absolutely! All the skills you learn as a fire cadet will give you a flavour of being a firefighter, as well as lots of essential skills like teamwork and leadership.

Becoming a firefighter is a very desirable job, and we normally receive a high number of applications for wholetime positions. But it could be you, so don't let this put you off from applying!

You may feel worried about your safety in the Service, which is completely understandable. We care deeply about the safety of our firefighters and will not put them at unnecessary risk. We work incredibly hard to make sure everyone has the knowledge and expertise to keep themselves and others safe.

Firefighters must make sure their facial hair is maintained so that it doesn't get in the way of any PPE.

Tattoos are acceptable provided they could not be deemed as offensive. Bear in mind that what is and is not offensive can be subjective. During the selection process and if you are subsequently employed by us, you will be asked to ensure the tattoo is covered if it is deemed offensive or gives an image contrary to the Service values. Tattoos are unacceptable if they are rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic or violent.

Piercings will not affect your suitability for the role, as long as you are prepared to remove them before commencing operational duty for health and safety reasons. The use of tongue studs is prohibited due their potential to break, become dislodged and become a catch hazard in the windpipe or gullet.

Asthma does not necessarily prevent you from becoming a firefighter, however, firefighters are exposed to smoke and other toxicants as part of their job, which are irritating to the lungs and upper respiratory tract and can exacerbate the symptoms of wheezing in firefighters with asthma. Your condition will be assessed at the medical stage, after which a decision will be made as to your suitability for the role.

We do not currently accept transfer requests from other Services. If you are currently a wholetime firefighter for another Service and would like to work for us, you will need to apply through this process.

No. However each application will be looked at in terms of the number and reason for the points and a decision will be made on whether you are ready to be considered for the role at this time. Furthermore, if successful in the role, there is a restriction on driving vehicles under blue light conditions if you have more than six points on your licence.