Firefighter Mythbusters

There is a common misconception that you cannot be a Firefighter unless you are below a certain age. However, anyone over the age of 18 is eligible. There is no maximum age limit, provided you continue to meet the fitness requirements for the role.

There are no height or weight requirements to be a Firefighter. You will carry out a series of point of entry physical tests that will assess your ability to carry out typical firefighting tasks. Providing you are able to pass these tests and meet the fitness standards you will be eligible to become a Firefighter. Your height and weight will be measured at the medical stage to help determine your general health and fitness.

Applicants are required to achieve level 8, shuttle 8 on the 20 metre multi-stage shuttle run test, commonly known as the bleep test (please be aware that this is different to the bleep test that is used by the Police to assess applicants). You will also need to pass our Firefighter-related Point of Entry Selection Tests (POESTs).

The POESTs can be practiced beforehand at one of our Have a Go Days, which take place every month. We highly encourage everyone to book a free space at an upcoming Have a Go Day via our website.

Yes, wearing glasses is generally not a problem depending upon the level of prescription required. You can be provided with a special insert to be worn under the Breathing Apparatus (BA) mask. In addition, you may also be provided with prescription safety glasses if required for your role.

Soft contact lenses are also permitted. However, hard or rigid contact lenses cannot be worn as debris can become trapped underneath them.

Applicants will be required to undertake a standard eye test during the recruitment process.

This will depend on the nature of your health and/or medical condition and whether this would be significantly impacted while performing your duties as a Firefighter. The health and safety of our staff is a priority. Decisions relating to whether a medical condition will prevent you from becoming a Firefighter can only be made following a detailed and individual assessment considering both your condition and how it affects you against the demands of the role with our Occupational Health department. This would be done at the medical stage of the process.

To be a Firefighter, you will need an appropriate level of colour perception. We will use the Ishihara Test as the initial screening. If an applicant is unsuccessful in passing this test, then they will be referred for further testing to determine the level of colour deficiency. A decision is then made on whether the applicant can be a Firefighter by the Occupational Health department.

Yes, but this is dependent on the nature of your disability. We will consider reasonable adjustments both during the recruitment process and your employment with the Service. A decision relating to whether your disability will prevent you from becoming a Firefighter can only be made following a detailed and individual assessment with our Occupational Health department.

Yes, you can have tattoos, as long as they are not deemed to be offensive. Tattoos will automatically be unacceptable if they are rude, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, or violent. Your tattoos will be checked during the recruitment process, and any new tattoos that you acquire while in Service will be checked against these standards.

All jewellery and piercings will need to be removed while on duty. Smooth-faced, non-projecting finger rings must be taped or removed during training or incidents.

This is false. The role of a Firefighter is hugely diverse. You'll be surprised to learn that, in 2024, just under 22 percent of all emergency incidents attended by our crews involved fires. Fighting fire is therefore not a huge part of the job!

Firefighters respond to various emergency incidents including road traffic collisions, floods, water rescue, animal rescue, dealing with chemical spills and hazardous materials, aiding and rescuing people from different situations, as well as providing humanitarian assistance. Alongside emergency response, Firefighters dedicate their time to engaging with our communities, providing vital safety advice. Regular training exercises are also undertaken to ensure that they maintain their competency.

Wholetime Firefighter

While we will consider individual preferences regarding location, Firefighters will be placed based on the needs of the Service and where there are vacancies.

On-Call Firefighter

You are required to live or work within 4-6 minutes of an On-Call Station, which are all based within Leicestershire and Rutland.

Wholetime Firefighter

No, you can apply to be a Wholetime Firefighter no matter where you live within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, unless you are a current active serving member of the UK Armed Forces; or employed by another UK local fire service authority. You will be expected to work at any one of our Wholetime fire and rescue stations, depending on the needs of the Service.

On-Call Firefighter

You are required to live or work within 4-6 minutes of an On-Call Station, which are all based within Leicestershire and Rutland.

No, you can be of any nationality, providing you have the permanent right to remain in the UK without restrictions. During the recruitment process, you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Any spent or unspent criminal convictions you have must be disclosed during the recruitment process, and a decision will be taken based on the nature of those convictions. We have the right to reject application based on unspent criminal convictions.

All applicants must be prepared to take a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as a part of the recruitment process. Other roles may require a higher level of DBS checks.

No, previous experience is not required, as we provide full training for the role.

While Sikhs are exempt from wearing a safety helmet under a new clause of the Deregulation Bill 2015, this exemption does not apply to the role of a Firefighter. This is because Firefighters have a duty to attend hazardous operational situations, where the wearing of a safety helmet is considered necessary. For example, when entering a burning building where protective clothing needs to be worn to enclose the whole body, or when dealing with chemical spills and hazardous materials.

All Firefighters are required to be clean shaven. Facial hair below the top lip is not permitted because this can prevent the breathing apparatus mask from forming a seal around the face, which could let dangerous airborne chemicals in. We respect your religious needs, but the health and safety of our staff is our priority.

Yes, you can still fast. We can make adjustments to account for your energy and hydration levels, ensuring that you are still able to perform your role. We therefore encourage all staff who choose to fast to discuss it with their line manager.