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Fitness

Our physical assessments test the basic level required during the selection process. Candidates should keep their fitness levels to a high standard and aim to be at a more advanced level at the start of their training, to maintain the stamina and determination required for the role.

 

Our fitness tests

As part of the recruitment process you will have a number of physical tests:

Bleep test - An assessment of fitness and determination. Candidates run between two points 20m apart at a progressively faster rate. Our entry level is 8.8.

If you pass the bleep test, you'll continue on to:

Ladder climb - An untimed test of confidence working at height. Candidates must climb a ladder and take a leg lock, then lean back with arms outstretched, look over their shoulder and identify a number shown below.

Ladder extension - An untimed upper body strength test. Candidates must fully extend and lower the 9m ladder.

Ladder lift - An untimed strength test. Candidates must safely lift and lower a bar with a 15kg weight, above a point 1.9m off the ground.

Enclosed space - A timed test of confidence, agility and claustrophobia working in an enclosed space. Candidates must negotiate a crawling gallery whilst wearing a breathing mask. Half the test will be with clear vision and half with obscured vision.

Equipment assembly - A timed test of manual dexterity. Candidates must assemble and then disassemble equipment.

Equipment carry - A timed strength test. Candidates must carry equipment up and down a course between cones that are 20m apart.

 

Exercise videos

Our Fit for Life videos show easy to follow exercises, including progressive variations so they're suitable for all levels of fitness.  They aim to train all aspects of fitness, keeping you stronger and fitter for life.

Watch this introduction, then take a look at our other exercise videos.

Watch all our Fit for Life exercises on Youtube

 

Disabilities

We are a disability confident employer.

During the recruitment process, we'll ask what adjustments you need to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a firefighter.

If we can make reasonable adjustments during selection, we'll replicate them on the incident ground.

 

Medical conditions

Glasses

If you pass the selection tests and interview, you'll get an optical exam. Depending on your level of eyesight, we may provide you with prescription safety glasses.

Colour blindness

If you have a vision colour defect, you will undergo further testing and possible work related assessments to determine if you would be suitable for the role.

Dyslexia

If you have dyslexia, or think you might, let us know on your application form.

If you're shortlisted, you will need to provide an assessment report from a qualified health or education professional. This will help us work out how to support you through the selection process and in your career.

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Like many other websites, we place small information files called 'cookies' on your computer.

Why do we use cookies?

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But, doing this may stop you from using some of the online features and services on this website. 

Cookies we use

Cookies do a lot of different jobs, and we use 2 types of cookies:

Required functionality cookies – these cookies are essential for the website to work.

Performance and feature cookies – these cookies help to improve the performance and feel of this website, for example providing you with personalised services.


Take a look at a list of cookies we use on our website:

NameTypeHow we use itHow long we use the information for

ASP.Net_Sessions

 

Required functionality

An automatic cookie set by our software. 

Just for the time you are on our website.

ServerID

 

Required functionality

An automatic cookie set by our software. 

Just for the time you are on our website.

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Required functionality

To track the effectiveness of our website using Google Analytics. 

2 years

saved-pages

Performance and feature

To save the pages that you visit by clicking the heart at the top of the page. 

1 month

geoPostcode

Performance and feature

This stores your postcode (or partial postcode) when we ask you for your location.

Just for the time you are on our website or 30 days (you choose this).

geoCoordinates

Performance and feature

This stores your location as a pair of latitude / longitude coordinates.

Just for the time you are on our website or 30 days (you choose this).

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Performance and feature

This keeps a history of all answers submitted to the ready reckoner.

This is set in the control for each ready reckoner. If you haven't interacted with the ready reckoner for the set amount of days, the cookies are deleted.

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Performance and feature

This keeps a history of what content cards are clicked on when using the ready reckoner.

This is set in the control for each ready reckoner. If you haven't interacted with the ready reckoner for the set amount of days, the cookies are deleted.

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Required functionality

This used to track user sessions on forms hosted on eservices.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Just for the time you are on our website.

Third party cookies

There are links and content from other sites and services on our website. These sites and services set their own cookies.

Below are a list of cookies that the other sites and services use:

Service namePurposeMore information

Google analytics (_utma/b/c/z)

These are used to compile reports for us on how people use this site.

Cookies of the same names are also used for the same purpose by other websites such as Building Futures, Countryside Management Service and Hertfordshire LIS.

Visit the Google Analytics website for more information about the cookies they use.

You can prevent data from being collected and used by Google Analytics by installing Google's Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Google Translation - googtrans

This cookie is used to remember which language to translate each page into if you have chosen to do so.

It expires at the end of your browser session.

Bing

We use a Bing cookie to track the success of our marketing campaigns and make them more efficient.

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Google

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We have a number of presences on Facebook, which we may link to. Facebook may set some of its own cookies if you follow these links.

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YouTube

We have a YouTube channel, which we may link to. YouTube may set some of its own cookies if you follow those links.

Visit YouTube to find out more about their cookies.

Netloan

This ASP.NET_Sessionid cookie is essential for the Netloan secure online payments website to work, and is set when you arrive to the site. This cookie is deleted when you close your browser.

 

HotJar

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Siteimprove

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