Application Forms

Understanding the Firefighter Application Process

Our firefighter application process is designed to help us understand your skills, experience, and suitability for the role. Applications may be completed online or, where available, using a paper form. You will be asked to provide personal information, employment history, qualifications, and responses to questions that assess key firefighter behaviours such as teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving.

Eligibility Requirements for Firefighter Applicants

In line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom. You will be required to provide evidence of this during the recruitment process.

Declaring Criminal Convictions

As part of your application, you must declare any unspent criminal convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

• Unspent convictions are reviewed individually, taking into account the nature and circumstances of the offence.
• Spent convictions do not need to be declared, unless they fall under the small number of offences that remain unspent for life.

If you are unsure whether a conviction affects your eligibility, please contact the recruiting Fire & Rescue Service for advice before applying.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals who consider themselves to have a disability are encouraged to apply.

You may be asked to provide further information so that our Occupational Health team can assess:

• Your ability to carry out the essential duties of a firefighter
• Whether any reasonable adjustments are required

Each case is considered on an individual basis.

How to Complete Your Firefighter Application Successfully

Your application is your first opportunity to demonstrate your potential. Many applicants are unsuccessful simply because they do not follow the instructions provided. Taking time and care at this stage is essential.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Read all instructions carefully before you begin.
• Draft your answers before completing the final version.
• Provide clear examples that show how you meet the essential criteria and Personal Qualities & Attributes (PQAs).
• Do not leave any sections blank — missing information may result in your application being withdrawn.
• Follow formatting requirements, including ink colour or use of capital letters where specified.
• Check spelling and grammar, and consider asking someone else to review your answers.
• Be honest — providing false or misleading information may lead to your application being rejected or, if appointed, dismissal.
• Keep a copy of your completed application for future reference, especially when preparing for interviews.

Submitting Your Application

Applications must be submitted before the advertised closing date. Late submissions cannot be accepted, so please allow time for technical issues or postal delays where relevant.

Important Information

Fire & Rescue Services only release application forms when actively recruiting. Many services now use online application systems, and forms are not available through external websites.