Entry Requirements

Yes, you will need to live in the Leicestershire, Leicester or Rutland area to join the Service.

You must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the initial training course. There is no upper age limit.

There is no minimum height requirement. However, an individual's height may impact how safely they can operate certain equipment such as ladders.

You do need a good level of fitness to pass the practical selection assessments and fitness test. Most people who regularly play a sport are fit enough.

You will be required to take an online assessment in Literacy, Numeracy and Mechanical Reasoning as part of the recruitment process. All new (non-Fire and Rescue Service employed) applicants will undertake the same assessment.

The details for accessing this will be sent to you once the application submission date has closed.

The firefighter training program is delivered through an apprenticeship, which requires applicants to hold and evidence, or be able to achieve, an approved level 2 Functional Skills qualification (or equivalent GSCE level) in both English and maths before they can successfully complete the apprenticeship.

A full driving licence is desirable but not essential if you want to join Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. Therefore, if you do not have one, you can still apply. However, we would encourage you to work towards achieving one as you may be required to drive our vehicles and be asked to work at any location at short notice.

You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply and be considered for employment.

In terms of health and safety, all piercings and jewellery must be removed or taped before starting operational duty. Tattoos are acceptable, provided they are not deemed offensive. Tattoos will automatically be unacceptable if they are rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, or violent.

This will depend on the type of criminal record. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 says that if an applicant has a conviction or spent convictions and if the nature of the offence is relevant to the job that he or she has applied for, we will seek to review the individual circumstances of the case and may decide to withdraw candidates on this basis. Therefore, you can still apply and see what happens.