Fireman- advice needed

**andy10v** · 8 March 2010, 21:57

Check out the website

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/recruitment/physicaltests.php

I am assuming it is the right one.

**jogi730** · 8 March 2010, 22:31

Good site with good advice. You need to sign up and make 5 posts before you can start asking questions, so do a welcome post and get the other posts in asap. If you don't you will only get frustrated when you need answers.
Any advice, call me....n I have left my number.
Cheers
Chris

**Christophski** · 8 March 2010, 22:50

Cheers guys.

Chris I will defo give u a shout tomo. Andy cheers for the link

**T2Andy** · 9 March 2010, 00:11

its very tough btdt

**jogi730** · 9 March 2010, 00:42

BTDT too, but that was almost 25 years ago and still there!

**silversteve** · 9 March 2010, 09:43

[QUOTE=Christophski;475986]Hi guys

I was made redundant in may and have been doing building work to keep the money coming in since. I have applied to be a fireman and have been given the initial go ahead for interview stage 1.

After this, if im successful is a fitness test. I have heard several stories about this one and was wondering if anyone on here was a fireman or knew one that could give me some hints or tips or general guidance of what the fitness test actually consists of. Or even if anyone here has tried it successfully or not.

I hear there is apparently a maze to do blindfolded carrying a load of weight on your back whilst its in a cnntrolled 'on fire' state??? True or not???

Any advice or help greatfully received.
Cheers guys

Im a fireman in the channel isle's,and did my basic training with some Leicester lads and there is no maze to do with a blindfold and weight on back,so dont worry about that...

One thing the fire website does not list is before the national test,you do a " Bleep" test,to test your basic level of fitness and Vo2 capacity. Its age related in our brigade but some have a set standard to reach which i think is 8.6,What brigade are you applying for? Good luck mate its a great job,with a fantastic shift system........4 on 4 off.............

**jogi730** · 9 March 2010, 11:57

I am open to discussing things with Chris and have given him my phone number.

Depending which Fire Brigade you apply for, the tests and the format they take do vary. However, I do know that Herts and London have more or less the same tests. The bleep test has been scrapped and there is no pass or fail, but you are asked to carry them out anyway just to show what level you should be at. The idea is to time your turns at the end of each shuttle to co-incide with the 'bleep' so in effect you maintain as continuous a run as possible.
Each stage lasts for 1 min, so the slower early stages will have fewer shuttles in them as opposed to the latter stages which will have more (due to the bleeps being closer together). The expected level is set around 9.6 and is easily achievable.

You do have to go around a maze partially blind folded. This is affectionately known as the 'rat run', something you will do much more of throughout your training and the rest of your career. This is done for several reasons. The mask you wear throughout the excercise is what you will use for your breathing apparatus and will have a frosty visor put on for good measure. Wearing this mask and being put through the rat run determines if you suffer claustrophobia. You then have to feel your way around the tunnels to get through them. You may be asked to wear the rest of the BA set on your back ( BA harness) for some realism, but with no training it is unlikely and the set will certainly not be connected.
Other test s include lifting a ladder, climbing a ladder (also to see if you suffer from vertigo), casualty evacuation (dragging a dummy around) and a manual dexterity test.

Think that about covers it.

Cheers
Chris

**jogi730** · 9 March 2010, 12:19

As for the shift system, don't get me started. I could tell you about proposed changes and resulting cuts in service, but this is not the place and I do not have enough time.
Needless to say that both public and Fire Service personnel safety is playing second fiddle here.
Cheers.
Chris.

**Christophski** · 9 March 2010, 15:06

Hi chris

Just tried calling u, will try again later dude. Cheers guys for all the pointers. I work up ladders all day anyway so that and carrying them isn't an issue. I am wondering about that rat run as it sounds interesting. Just thought it was a good idea to pick some brains in the know.

cheers
chris

**Christophski** · 9 March 2010, 18:29

Spoke to jovial earlier and he gave me some great advice. It's people like him that are why forums like this are worth being members of.

Thank you for your time earlier. Very greatful chris. Will definately keep you posted with how it goes and take ur advice and ask if I get any other questions.

Chris

**TDi90** · 9 March 2010, 18:36

a bleep test to 8.6 is do-able... its tough...
i used to train with bleep tests... great way of aerobic fitness.

**Christophski** · 9 March 2010, 19:30

I used to do beep tests with my canoeing. I used to get into double figures but not
sure which level and that was many years ago now lol

**andy10v** · 9 March 2010, 19:37

I used to do beep tests with my canoeing

What canoeing did you do?

**Christophski** · 9 March 2010, 20:04

I used to do slalom on the England team when I was younger and so used to do alot of gym work
with it. Used to do loads of
river running n sea surfing with it too and play boating. Still do the recreational stuff
minus the competitions these days.

Fireman- advice needed

Fireman- advice needed

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