FIRE FIGHTERS, DS is looking at applying, anyone a fire fighter or can offer advice?

[Longingforthesummer]

DS is looking at the application process.
Open days over the next couple of weeks.
He ticks all the boxes on the aplication so told him to just go for it etc.

Anyone a fire fighter? Or have family members, could offee any advice etc.?

I used to be a careers adviser for many years. The Fire Service used to be very competitive but I don't know about now. Some evidence of community service, voluntary work and teamwork is useful eg The Prince's Trust, and it could be helpful to spend some time at a local fire station, as it shows interest - maybe contact them? A lot will depend on his age and maturity though and he may not be ready, in which case some further education or work experience would be good and then he could re-apply in a couple of years.

I have an adult child (edited to add, he is mid 20s) who is going through the application process at the moment, so can only really comment on that.
I do know it is quite competitve but to reapply if he doesn't get in the first time.
Make sure he is fit enough to pass the physical assessments - the bleep test and lifting a ladder, and be prepared for the 16 continuous weeks of training.

A friend who has a relative who was a fire fighter said that the Haynes Fire Fighter Manual was actually really useful.

Thanks for this info.
He's 19 in Feb, extremely fit as plays a sport and trains several times a week.
Has good grades, academically
Is working as a team leader at present
Very independant
Community and voluntarty work hasnt done...ooo he does do coaching (sport he does) for young people for free.
Thinking what else he could do community based to help his application

Scouts Network?

https://www.scouts.org.uk/network/options-for-18plus-year-olds-in-scouting/

Try www.joinwyfirefighters.com for some useful info.

Good luck to him, l very much respect the fire rescue workers, they have to deal with some horrendous sights.

Depends where you are. In our rural county there are only 2 full time fire stations. All the rest are run by voluntary on call fire fighters. When ft posts come up they are quite often filled by the voluntary fire fighters as they are already trained.

The coaching and team leader skills sound ace. Good luck to him!

Thinking whatelse he could do community wise