Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
There’s more to being a firefighter than you’d imagine. As a firefighter, you’ll not only be responding to emergency incidents, you’ll play an integral role in fire safety, education and prevention. It’s no ordinary job, the work is varied and challenging, as well as rewarding. Our firefighters are intelligent and highly skilled, coming from all walks of life.
A firefighter works as a member of a cohesive and cooperative team, whether involved in emergency response or work associated with maintaining readiness or community safety activities.
A firefighter directly participates in emergency incidents to assist and safeguard people, property and the environment, including responding to fires, vehicle accidents, rescues and other emergencies. A firefighter must always be physically fit and capable of responding to emergency calls and rescuing personnel from life threatening situations. They must be capable of a rapid physical response, which in the case of a property fire with life involvement would include donning personal protective clothing and breathing apparatus, dragging a line of hose and performing a search and rescue operation. They are required to work in awkward positions, often under pressure.
A firefighter must be able to operate vehicles and equipment in emergency and non-emergency situations. They are required to liaise with other agencies, including emergency service personnel, and communicate with members of the public and people under duress.
A firefighter carries out a range of other duties including:
You don’t need prior fire and rescue experience. But you do need to be a team player, be adaptable and have the ability to learn new skills and knowledge and apply these in time-critical and stressful environments.
Selection is a multi-stage process. You’ll undergo a number of behavioural, cognitive and physical assessments that align to the requirements of firefighting and DFES Core Values.
Before you can apply, you must meet these four criteria:
When requested during the selection process, you must also provide evidence of the following:
The following HLT units have been superseded. DFES no longer accepts them as pre-requisites for entry into the Trainee Firefighter School.
If you don’t have the necessary first aid qualifications yet, you should book a Registered Training Provider course now to make sure you have a certificate to submit with your application.
The recruitment process is highly competitive. You’ll be required to undertake a wide range of assessments over a number of months. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. DFES reserves the right to change these stages and assessments, including throughout the selection process, with minimal notice.
Stages and assessments are subject to change at any time. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. Details of dates, times and location for each assessment stage will be provided to applicants as they progress through the selection process.
Fire and rescue is a job unlike most others. It’s important to consider your expectations and the commitments you’ll need to make before you apply.
You’ll not only be responding to emergency incidents, you’ll play an integral role in fire prevention and educating the community in fire safety.
You could be posted to any regional or metropolitan career fire station, and you must be prepared for the realities of rostered shift work (day and night, seven days a week) plus fixed leave. Until you are appointed to a station permanently, you’ll likely be in the relieving pool working at different stations.
Once commenced on station, firefighters work a cycle of four days on duty followed by four days off. This amounts to an average of 42 hours per week and consists of two 10-hour day shifts (0800 to 1800) followed by two 14-hour night shifts (1800 to 0800). Firefighters are paid for 40 hours per week with the additional two hours per week accruing as additional annual leave.
Current Firefighter Rates of Pay (Inclusive of Allowances, as at 01/12/2022)
Classification
Weekly
Yearly
Trainee
$1,463.40
$76,340.70
5th Class Firefighter
$1,588.70
$82,877.20
4th Class Firefighter
$1,620.10
$84,515.20
3rd Class Firefighter
$1,698.50
$88,605.10
2nd Class Firefighter
$1,745.50
$91,056,90
1st Class Firefighter
$1,902.20
$99,231.40
Senior Firefighter
$1,980.60
$103,321.30
Becoming a firefighter is the first step in a diverse and meaningful career. If you’re selected to attend the Trainee Firefighter School, you’ll be offered a temporary contract to undertake a 21-week intensive training course at the Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield.
Upon graduation, you’ll be promoted to 5th Class Firefighter and begin working shifts. Over the next five years, you must complete the Firefighter Development Program where you will progress up the ranks to Senior Firefighter. You have the chance to specialise in areas that include Urban Search and Rescue, Training and Instructing, Aerial Rescue, Air Intelligence, Communications, Analysis, Logistics and Fire Investigation.
We support your career and help you make the most of all opportunities. Your progress can take you further into leadership and management roles too.
DFES Trainee Firefighter School
Firefighter Development Program (FDP)
