Formal interview

After candidates have successfully completed all previous parts of the selection process a formal interview is conducted. Selected candidates are interviewed by a 2 or 3 person panel where the ability to demonstrate the five competencies required of trainee firefighters is explored. The interview lasts for approximately 1 hour and candidates will be asked to provide examples from their previous work or personal experience that demonstrate competency across the five areas.

The five competencies which applicants need to demonstrate:

1. Drive Energy and Achievement Focus (Motivation for your application)
2. People and Teamwork Skills
3. Applied Problem Solving Skills
4. Physical Fitness
5. Communication Skills

Following the formal interview, final selections will be made after considering cognitive scores, PAC scores, and interview scores. All candidates interviewed will be notified if they will receive a conditional offer of employment or not.

The conditional offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory results of reference checks, security screening, medical examination and revalidating the PPT 2-4 weeks prior to the training course commencing.

Once all of these requirements have been met, candidates will commence the 12 week training course as employees. On successful completion of the training course recruit firefighters will be posted to operational fire stations, as an operational firefighter working in a crew of 4.

How many people do the formal interview, and how many pass?

At the Interview stage the Fire Service will interview approximately 75 applicants, and on average around 33% of them will be offered employment subject to passing the Police and Medical screening tests.

Click here to read about the next stage in the Recruitment process.