Fire Service Recruitment And The Department Requirements

Many young people have decided to go into firefighting services as a calling (not a career), as it is a passion like nursing services and or policing services.

Below find basic Qs and As relating to the fire department rules and the Fire Service Recruitment requirements.

HOW OFTEN DOES A FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUIT?

Most if not all fire departments recruit every 12 months but that is up to the individual department regional office, so they will have more information on that.

CAN PERSONS WEARING SPECTACLES BE RECRUITED?

Yes, they can but only if your un-corrected vision (your vision without wearing spectacles) meets a certain standard which includes color vision tests.

If you had any recent LASIK surgery (eye laser treatment) you have to wait at least a year before trying out for recruitment.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC TESTS INVOLVED WITH THE RECRUITMENT?

Most departments do a rigorous physical test, with daily exercises, drills and or marches. Cleanliness and the ability look neat in uniform is just a bonus but the most important factor is your physical and mental health to cope with these rigorous exercises and the situations you find yourself in when in a fire hazard.

For example of mental capabilities would be:

• They will put you in a smoke-filled room with flames flaring up all around you
• Your vision will be blinded by the smoke,
• You will feel claustrophobic with the mask on your face

You will have to fight this fire, find a “victim” to rescue and get out of that situation without panicking.

CAN ANY PERSON IN THE AGE GROUP OF 40 BE RECRUITED?

No, that would be too late, as most departments have a maximum age limit of 28 to 35 years for new recruits and a younger person of 18 would have a limited involvement role only as a junior firefighter.

CAN A FIREMAN HAVE A BEARD?

This will be a big no, and only because for you and your team’s safety.

The main piece of equipment when Fire Service Recruitment is your SCBA mask and any facial hair will affect the efficiency in the mask’s ability to keep you safe, and in the end, be detrimental to the whole team.

This is because the SCBA mask needs to fit directly on your face to form an airtight seal.

ARE FIREFIGHTER RECRUITS TESTED FOR DRUGS?

All new firefighters and recruits sign a contract to allow for random drug tests.

This usually gets one on recruitment or during the process and from there at least once every two years and if any illegal drugs or traces of, are found in the system then you can get immediate dismissal.

Firefighters who admit to any addiction before any tests are performed will get the medical rehabilitation needed rather than a disciplinary action.

CAN FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TATTOOS?

Though frowned upon, yes, you can, but it should not be seen in public when in uniform.

It should always be covered either by your sleeves of your shirt or pants and if in your neck above collar view then it should always be covered by a bandage.

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