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The following HLT units have been superseded.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.
When applications are open, you can apply via the DFES website and WA Government jobs board.
It is important that you attach the following four (4) documents to your application:
Failure to attach the four (4) correct documents to your application will result in you being removed from the selection process.
The cognitive assessment is designed to assess your suitability to undertake the academic content of the trainee firefighter school and may be comprised of a number of elements. The most common areas of the cognitive assessments include verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, error checking, spatial awareness, mechanical reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning.
The personality assessment is used to ascertain your suitability to the role of a firefighter based on your personal traits and preferences, by exploring several different behavioural dimensions. The personality assessments are designed to assess your suitability against the competencies outlined in the firefighter success profile and your ability to deal with the subsequent demands of the job.
The following aptitude tests measure your ability to meet the physical standards required to undertake the role of firefighter. Applicant assessment is not based on technique however, all assessments must be completed in a safe manner. The physical aptitude tests are based on physical tasks expected of firefighters during the course of their duties.
The Physical Aptitude Test Training Guide provides useful information on physical preparation to assist with maximising performance during this stage of the recruitment process.
This is a pass or fail assessment.
This is a circuit style of physical assessment (continuous movement from one task to the next) which must be completed in an allocated time frame. The applicant must undertake the entire circuit wearing breathing apparatus or weighted vest (14 Kilograms)
The Tasks may include:
This is a pass or fail assessment and is a stand-alone physical aptitude test (separate to from the circuit).
Applicants climb a long extension ladder to level 1 of a training tower, then continue to level 4 of the tower via the internal ladders. At level 4, applicants will be required to perform a task before returning to level 1 via internal ladders then onto the long extension ladder and descend to ground level.
This is a pass or fail assessment and is a stand-alone physical aptitude test (separate to from the circuit).
Applicants, wearing breathing apparatus and a frosted mask, must navigate a series of tunnels and obstacles. This assessment must be completed in 10 minutes.
This is a pass or fail assessment.
The beep test (also known as the shuttle run test) is used to measure an applicant’s level of cardiovascular fitness. The required level that applicants must meet is 8.7. Applicants will be stopped once they have reached this level. Applicants who fail to reach 8.7 will be removed from the process.
DFES reserves the right to modify any or all elements of the physical aptitude tests, including throughout the selection process, with minimal notice.
The assessment of written tasks is used to gauge your ability to review available information and subsequently present your response in a clear, concise and professional manner. In the written assessment task, you are required to strictly adhere to a one-page response which addresses aspects of the firefighter success profile.
The speed interviews require applicants to sit down one-on-one with an assessor and answer interview style questions. The speed interviews involve small groups of applicants being interviewed and assessed by four panel members in a single session. Applicants will rotate assessors every 10 minutes, a total of four times. The interview questions are designed to assess applicant’s behaviours, competencies and experiences.
The panel interview is in front of four members, which may include operational DFES personnel, non-operational DFES personnel and external consultants. You must provide your CV prior to the panel interview.
The final validations ensure applicants are suitable for employment as a firefighter.
The physical workplace capacity assessment (PWCA) is designed to simulate tasks performed by Firefighters. Applicants are required to perform the tasks multiple times. It provides a realistic assessment of the applicants’ functional mobility (e.g. stable shoulders under load, spine flexion etc.). Applicants will be rated on their ability to complete the test and any potential for increased risk of injury when undertaking firefighting tasks. The outcome of the PWCA is provided to the medical practitioner and is considered part of your medical assessment.
The driving validation assessment is overseen by driving instructors from the DFES training academy. The assessment will review each applicant’s ability to safely handle a heavy rigid vehicle. This assessment is likely to occur at the same time as the physical workplace capacity assessment.
These examinations, undertaken by a medical practitioner appointed by DFES, are designed to highlight any conditions that would prevent or hinder an applicant from effectively carrying out firefighting duties and which may put the individual, colleagues, or members of the community at risk. The medical practitioner provides DFES with an applicants’ suitability for the role of firefighter based on all the information available to them.
Applicants who do not meet the required standards of any part of the medical examination will not be offered a position as a firefighter. Where any increased risk of injury or other potential issues is identified, these will be considered - taking into account the nature of the concern and the likelihood of injury or other impact in the short term. Examples of medical conditions generally considered not compatible with unrestricted operational firefighting duties include, but not be limited to; previous heart attack, implantable defibrillators, epilepsy, diabetes requiring insulin, hearing aids, permanent need for blood thinning medications, joint replacement surgery or eyesight disorders.
If you have had any questions regarding a significant medical condition or injury, please feel free to email the Firefighter Recruitment team, firefighter.recruitment@dfes.wa.gov.au. Please note, while the team may be able to provide general advice, it is unable to provide assessment of individual cases. Medical conditions can be complex, and in some instances, after appropriate case assessment, may ultimately be found to be incompatible with unrestricted firefighting duties. Candidates must satisfy all medical requirements to progress.
When requested, applicants are required to obtain their:
All applicant must undergo referee checks
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)
When applications are open, apply through the DFES website and WA Government jobs board.
You need a C Class unrestricted driver’s licence to apply. Applicants must also be able to obtain a Heavy Rigid B Class (HR-B) driver’s licence prior to Stage 5 of the recruitment process.
No, there are no minimum schooling requirements but before you apply you must:
When requested during the selection process, you must also provide evidence of the following:
Yes, each application is a separate selection process. If you are unsuccessful you will have the opportunity to reapply.
To find out when the job advertisement goes live, please register via the Firefighter Recruitment Expression of Interest.
There is no minimum age, however you need to be able to obtain a Heavy Rigid (HR) driver’s license by Stage 5 of the recruitment process. To be eligible to obtain your HR license you need to have held your license for two years (including the period you hold your green and red P Plates) and no longer be considered a provisional license holder. For more information on getting a HR licence, please visit www.transport.wa.gov.au.
Approximately 6 months
The TFFS is currently 21 weeks.
The majority of the training is conducted at the Academy, with excursions to other areas when required. The hours of duty at the school are generally Monday to Friday between 0700 and 1700; however, trainees may be required to work weekends and/or evenings, often with little notice. Therefore, it is advised that you clear your schedule over this period, including participation in team sports and other non-essential major commitments you may have.
This school is not a live-in program and trainees are required to arrange their own accommodation where necessary.
We currently conduct one recruitment process for two school intakes. The next recruitment process will open on 15 December 2022 and close on 16 January 2023. Successful applicants will start a Trainee Firefighter School commencing around July/August 2023 and a subsequent Trainee Firefighter School commencing around February/March 2024.
Yes, we welcome applications from anywhere however you must be able to attend assessments in person when required. Assessment locations are usually within the Perth Metro area.
You will need to complete the full 21 week trainee firefighter school and RPL will not be considered during this time. Once you graduate and begin your 5 year Firefighter Development Program, you can apply for recognition of nationally recognised units of competency or qualifications. However, recognition of existing units of competency or qualifications does not remove the requirement to complete or shorten the duration of the FDP, inclusive of fast-tracked attainment of rank.