Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service launch biggest wholetime firefighter recruitment campaign in decades, and reporter Eloise Gilmore put herself to the test

Ahead of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s biggest recruitment drive for decades, I put myself to the test to see if I had what it takes.

The service has now opened its wholetime firefighter application process to take on up to 40 trainees to help in its commitment to keep people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire safe.

To become a firefighter, applicants undergo a series of physical tests and interviews — and I was put through my paces at one of the service’s ‘have a go’ days at the Service Development Centre in Ollerton.

There, a number of potential applicants and I took part in a variety of fitness drills and exercises designed to give a taster of the role and some of the job-related tests applicants will need to pass.

The day started with a presentation by Watch Manager Sonny Roberts, who outlined the key values of the service, and what would be expected of applicants.

Then we went out into the yard ready for the physical activities.

As someone who spends a lot of time sat behind a computer screen, and can’t remember the last time I went on a run, the prospect of the bleep test was daunting — and many of those lined up with me had clearly been training in preparation.

Applicants must reach level 8.7, which involves 68 timed shuttle runs between two 20m markers. I only got to level 4.2, a total of 25 shuttle runs, but jumped back in on some of the later levels to get a taste for the speed.

Then it was time to get kit out in our trousers, tunics, boots, helmets and gloves.

A circuit was set up, and I began with the four-storey ladder climb. I was taught the service’s technique for climbing the ladder, clipped into a safety harness as it was my first time on the ladder, and off I went.

Next up was confined spaces — the real job-related test involves applicants wearing full fire kit and a breathing apparatus mask to crawl through a series of tunnels in darkness to simulate conditions firefighters may face when dealing with compartment fires — but on the ‘have a go’ day this was simplified to a single tube to crawl through while wearing masks with the visor blacked out.

The task was supervised by crew manager Gemma Whelbourn, and a casualty dummy was placed at the end for each person to drag back.

Then I took part in a hose reel test — unrolling and rolling a length of fire hose three times within a time limit.

This started off unsuccessfully as I was surprised by the weight of the hose and immediately tripped over, but once I was back on my feet I found my groove and made it within the time limit.

Then there was a test of dexterity, putting together hoses, pipes and a canister in the correct manner.

Last on my circuit was the most challenging task of the all — one of the few activities on the day which was a real job-related test with no modifications — the Equipment Carry.

For the test I dragged a 55kg dummy around a 25-metre course, backwards, then jogged 25 metres. I also carried two lengths of hose, totalling 30kg, 100 metres.

Then I carried one roll of hose at chest height for 25 metres, and jogged 75 metres, followed by carrying a 2.4-metre-long suction hose and basket strainer for 100 metres, then jogging 100 metres.

The last stage was to pick up and carry a 25kg weight for 100 metres.

This was a real challenge — and all had to be completed in under six and a half minutes.

While I didn’t make that target, or even particularly close to it, with my time of nearly eight minutes, it was very proud of myself for completing the task.

Overall it was a challenging and fun experience, and I surprised myself with what I was able to do with no prior training.

Recruitment for wholetime firefighters in Nottinghamshire opened today, although will be run differently this year.

Anyone interested in applying must first attend a recruitment day, where they will need to pass the bleep test, before being given the link for applications.

Full details of the recruitment process, fitness standards and training can be found on the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service website.

Successful applicants will take part in a 13-week training course readying them for service.

Do you think you have what it takes?