Information on: The Application form & written tests for Wholetime recruitment

Application form The application form is divided into three sections: Personal information – ie name, address, employment history Personal Qualities and Attributes (PQAs) Equal Opportunities Monitoring information Perhaps the most important part of the application form is the PQAs section.

What are PQAs? All firefighters are expected to possess certain personal qualities and attributes. These include: Working with others – this means that you are able to work effectively with others, both within the fire and rescue service and in the community. Commitment to development – this means that you are committed to and able to develop yourself and others. Confidence and resilience – this means you maintain a confident and resilient attitude in highly challenging situations.

What are PQAs? Commitment to excellence – this means you adopt a conscientious and proactive approach to work to achieve and maintain excellent standards. Openness to change – this means that you are open to change and actively seek to support it. Effective communication – communicates effectively both orally and in writing.

What are PQAs? Situational awareness – maintains an active awareness of the environment to promote safe and effective working. Problem solving – understands, recalls, applies and adapts relevant information in an organised, systematic and safe way. Commitment to diversity and integrity – understands and respects diversity. Adopts a fair and ethical approach to others.

Why are PQAs important? They form the basis of the application stage and the interview You will need to present evidence relating to each PQA in both your application and in your interview There are nine PQAs – on the application form and at the interview stage you will need to demonstrate evidence in relation to the PQAs. You will be scored according to the evidence you provide

Practice PQA – Confidence and Resilience Please note the following questions on slides 7,8 and 9 are only pointers and things to consider when answering the PQAs. You should answer the PQAs in line with application form guidance notes. What was the situation? Briefly outline the situation Who was involved? Why does it require confidence and resilience?

What role did you play? Explain what you did and why you did it. Take the panel through the steps you took. Provide some detail on how and why you made certain decisions Did you ask any questions or give people tasks to do?

What was the outcome? How did you help the situation? How was it resolved? Was it a positive outcome? What impact did you have?

Top tips for the application form Please see the Personal Qualities and Attributes document on Step Up. When writing your answers to the PQA questions ensure that you try to incorporate all of the points listed under each PQA.

For example: working with others You should include all of the points below in your answer to this PQA. How do I work well with all team members? What about others outside of the team eg the community? Do I share knowledge / information with the team? How? Do I offer support to the team members? How? Does the team have any objectives? How do I know what they are?

The Written Tests There are 4 written tests: Working with Numbers Understanding Information Situational Awareness and Problem Solving Memory Retention You must pass all 4 tests to be successful at this stage.

Working with Numbers Test What is the Working with Numbers test? A firefighter has to be able to complete basic numerical calculations (for example to work out how much hose is needed at a fire). A firefighter also has to be able to understand simple graphs, tables, dials and gauges (for example when using graphs of fire incidents to illustrate a point during the delivery of a fire safety presentation). This test assesses your ability to understand and work with numerical information of the type that you are likely to experience as a firefighter.

Understanding Information Test What is the Understanding Information Test? A firefighter has to be able to read and understand a variety of written information (for example fire safety information, training course manuals, instructions and important memos etc.). This test assesses your ability to read and understand written information of the type you are likely to experience as a firefighter.

Situational Awareness and Problem Solving Test What is the Situational Awareness and Problem Solving Test? This test is designed to look at your ability to ensure the safety of yourself and others and your ability to use information to solve problems. Each question describes a situation or scenario that you may face when working as a firefighter. For each question you will have to decide what you would do in the given situation.

Memory Retention Test What is the Memory Retention Test? This test is designed to assess your ability to: Work under pressure Understand and recall relevant information Communicate information in writing

Top Tips for the Written Tests Practice, practice, practice! Practice according to strict time restraints. Read the questions carefully and do not make assumptions – only use the information provided. Get plenty of rest the night before