Firefighter (Control) - Selection Information

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Contents

Contents ................................................................................................. 3

A Career with the Fire and Rescue Service ............................................ 4

Firefighter (Control) Selection Process ................................................... 9

Responsibilities of a Firefighter ............................................................. 12

Fire and Rescue Service Core Values .................................................. 15

Main Conditions of Service ................................................................... 17

Equal Opportunities .............................................................................. 20

Positive Action ...................................................................................... 20

Locations of Fire Stations in Bedfordshire ............................................. 22

Frequently Asked Recruitment Questions ............................................. 23

Is the role for you? ................................................................................ 26

4 Version: July 2018

A Career with the Fire and Rescue Service

Introduction

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service can offer you a satisfying and varied career. The aim of this information booklet is to give you a better insight into what our work involves.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is 1 of 46 separate Fire Services in England and Wales and is run under the command of the Chief Fire Officer.

Bedfordshire is served by a total of 14 Fire Stations of which five are crewed by Wholetime (full-time) firefighters and one station is day crewed. The Service also operates an On-call Duty System (RDS) which covers eleven stations (two of these are on Wholetime stations and one on the day crewed station).

Our Firefighters, both Operational and Control, are both men and women representing the communities they live and/or work within. There are benefits in having personnel who reflect all aspects of our local communities. The benefits are removing barriers; truly representative; cultural improvements; employer of choice to name a few. These are drawn from all the different cultures within Bedfordshire and we would welcome applicants from these under-represented groups such as BAME and females.

Like many organisations, the Fire and Rescue Service draws those considered suitable for promotion to senior management positions from its existing employees and ensures that it has people with a wide range of skills from which to select. There are, therefore, opportunities for career progression.


Service Control

Service Control acts as the primary communications hub for the Fire and Rescue Service, receiving information and taking appropriate action in order to facilitate a successful conclusion to events.

When a member of the public dials 999 a telephone exchange operator will connect them to Service Control at Headquarters in Kempston. A Firefighter (Control) answers the emergency call and mobilises fire service resources. They ask a number of questions to determine the location and nature of the emergency, entering this information into a bespoke computer system in order to establish the location of the nearest fire appliances.

The Firefighter (Control) is trained in the use of specialised emergency call handling techniques in order to support and protect callers in potentially life threatening situations. They will identify risks to a caller’s safety and advise on immediate actions whilst awaiting the arrival of fire crews.

Service Control is crewed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and as such, each member of the team must be prepared to work days and nights, weekends, and on public holidays.

What to expect from the role

On reporting for duty, a roll call is taken and duties allocated to personnel for that shift. Following this, there is a short handover period with those going off duty where all relevant information is passed on, such as a brief of any incidents in progress, crewing deficiencies etc.


During the shift a variety of duties are performed, including:

• Answering emergency calls. • Mobilising Fire Service assets. • Transmitting and receiving messages via the radio. • Ensuring the correct availability of officers and appliances is

shown. • Informing other emergency services and utility companies

where required. • Monitoring incidents from start to finish. • Maintaining accurate incident logs. • Completing computerised statistics after each incident to draw

reports from. • Carrying out other administrative duties.

Training is carried out to develop skills and to keep up-to-date with policies and procedures. Although some of the work is routine, no two days are the same. The role is varied, challenging and rewarding.

What qualities & skills are required for the job?

A Firefighter (Control) must have excellent listening skills, especially for taking emergency calls. Developed oral and written communication skills are essential. Team working is critical, and the ability to make quick decisions, whilst working under pressure is also essential.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Please note that the role of Firefighter (Control) does not carry out Firefighting duties and does not provide a career path into the role of Wholetime or On-Call Firefighter.

The position is based in the Service Control at Headquarters in Kempston.


The First Phase of Your Career

If you are selected to join Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, all new trainees will receive foundation training, consisting of technical, practical and theoretical work. The initial training will consist of formal training and time spent learning and working with existing Control Operators.

Having completed the foundation training you will be required to start operational duties in the role of Firefighter (Control), where you will be a responsible member of a well organised team (watch).

You will commence your development phase following the successful completion of the foundation training. Everyone has their own personal development programme and regular progress reviews. Training is provided to meet development needs and evidence will need to be collected and assessed to maintain competence in the role.

Training Throughout Your Career

The Fire and Rescue Service offers continuous in-house training to support people reaching their potential and to ensure that you are kept up-to-date with the latest developments and techniques. There may also be a requirement to attend courses at various locations to progress your learning journey.


Promotion and Longer Term Career Prospects

There are opportunities for career development within the Fire and Rescue Service. Once you have completed your development programme you will be given opportunities to take on extra responsibilities, these opportunities are often in the form of project work and watch based responsibilities.

Within Bedfordshire, career progression for Control personnel occurs as follows:

FIREFIGHTER (Control)

Crew Manager (Control)

Watch Manager (Control)

Station Manager (Control)


Firefighter (Control) Selection Process

Throughout the recruitment and selection process correspondence will be via letter and email.

The recruitment and selection process consists of four stages which are progressive therefore applicants must be successful at each stage to progress on to the next. If you are unsuccessful at any stage your application will not be continued. Please review the candidate timeline document available separately on the website for key dates.

The five stages are as follows:

Stage One

Application

Applicants are asked to complete a standardised application form which contains applicant’s personal details. It gives applicants the opportunity to evidence how you would meet the personal specification for the role of a Firefighter (Control)

Applicants must fully complete all sections before submitting their application. They should ensure that they have listed all the qualifications that they wish to be considered providing full details e.g. Maths, GCSE, Grade C, June 1997, Mark Rutherford Upper School, Bedford not 10 GCSE’s A-C. This also includes providing copies of the qualifications that have been listed in the application. Failure to do so may prevent your application from being progressed.

Stage Two

Assessment day

Applicants successful at the application stage will be invited to attend an assessment day at Service Control.

The assessment day will involve a number of individual and group exercises to test your ability to meeting the requirements of the job. Tests will include:

Group / teamwork exercise


Typing test

Call handling simulation test

ICT test

There is a minimum standard to be attained. Only the highest performing candidates will be invited to the next stage.

Stage Three

Interview

Top performing candidates from stages one and two will be invited to attend a formal interview.

Applicants will undertake a structured Interview based on the Firefighter (Control) Job Description and Person Specification. The interview will last for approximately one hour.

Information from the Equality Monitoring Section will not be provided to the Interview Panel.

Stage Four

Pre-Employment Clearances

Medical

You will be invited to attend a medical appointment with the Service Medical Adviser and Occupational Health Advisor.

References, Qualifications, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check and DVLA Check

References, Qualifications, DVLA and DBS checks will also be carried out as part of stage four by the HR team. If these clearances are deemed satisfactory at all of these areas you will be offered an appointment. In respect of Qualifications you will be asked to produce the original certificates at this stage to verify the copies submitted at the application stage.


If you are currently employed, you are advised not to give notice until a formal appointment letter has been issued to you.

Holding List

If, at the interview stage the panel consider you suitable to become a Firefighter (Control) but you are not offered a position immediately, you will be added to a holding list and will be considered for vacancies occurring within 18 months. Unfortunately, if you have not been appointed during that time you will be asked to re-apply.

If you are being considered for a place on the training course you will need to undertake and be successful at each element of stage four (detailed above) before being formally offered a position.

If you are currently employed, you are advised not to give notice until a formal appointment letter has been issued to you.


Responsibilities of a Firefighter

Job Purpose

As a member of a professional team you will receive and handle emergency calls and requests for assistance. You will be responsible for mobilising resources in order to protect and save life, property and the environment.

You will monitor the availability and status of the Service operational resources, and provide communications and other services to support all aspects of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Emergencies

Answer and process emergency calls, providing support to callers by telephone.

Identify risks to their safety and advise on immediate action whilst waiting for operational crews to arrive.

Gather information from a range of sources to assist with the appropriate response in relation to requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance.

Mobilise the right resources in response to the needs of an event, including informing other agencies of the need for support services.

Transmit, receive and record messages via the Airwave radio system.

Administrative

Monitor and test communications and mobilising equipment to ensure its readiness for operational use, including checking for faults and carrying out routine scheduled tests. Be proficient in all fall back procedures.

Monitor and update the availability of operational resources and ensure the correct availability of officers and appliances is shown at all times.


Update records relating to the availability of operational resources using information from both internal and external sources, including both written and computerised records.

Monitor communications and act on information received to facilitate a successful conclusion to events, and inform others of your actions.

Maintain accurate incident logs and enter information, using keyboard skills, into computer applications.

Answer and process administrative calls, providing assistance as appropriate.

Record and report all defects as necessary e.g. transport, equipment and communications defects.

Carry out other administrative duties as required.

Personal

Carry out the duties commensurate with your role in a competent and effective manner to the highest standards of care and quality.

Ensure continued and effective working relationships with key stakeholders e.g. all emergency services as required.

Ensure own knowledge is current and undertake training as required to maintain, develop and enhance own skills.

Ensure confidentiality as appropriate and the security of sensitive information in line with the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.

Undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational needs and which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined.

Ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.


Equality and Fairness

Ensure compliance with equal opportunities legislation and the Service’s existing equality policies and procedures to ensure fairness in employment and service delivery.

We are committed to embracing diversity within the workplace, where everyone is valued for the contribution they make. Our personnel are expected to promote and support the principle of fairness at all times, while opposing and challenging all forms of harassment, bullying and discrimination.

All employees, and potential employees, will receive equal, fair and just treatment within all aspects of recruitment, employment, training and promotion. No employee will receive less favourable treatment than any other on the grounds of age, disability, marital status, race, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity.

Health and Safety

Recognise health and safety issues at work and deal with them to minimise or eliminate the degree of hazard or risk;

Ensure own personal safety and that of others at all times.


Fire and Rescue Service Core Values

Our people are essential to ensuring that Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service continues to deliver not only its statutory obligations to the people of Bedfordshire but strives to ensure that we contribute to ensuring health, safety and welfare whenever we can make a difference.

We value…

Service to the community;

People;

Diversity;

Improvement.

Service to the Community

We value service to the community by…

Working with all groups to reduce risk;

Treating everyone fairly and with respect;

Being answerable to those we serve;

Striving for excellence in all we do.

People

We value all our employees by practising and promoting…

Fairness and respect;

Recognition of merit;

Honesty, integrity and mutual trust;


Personal development;

Co-operative and inclusive working.

Diversity

We value diversity in the service and the community by…

Treating everyone fairly and with respect;

Providing varying solutions for different needs and expectations;

Promoting equal opportunities in employment and progression within the service;

Challenging prejudice and discrimination.

Improvement

We value improvement at all levels of the service by…

Accepting responsibility for our performance;

Being open-minded;

Considering criticism thoughtfully;

Learning from our experience;

Consulting others.


Main Conditions of Service

The information below is for guidance only, and may be subject to change at any time.

Place of Work

The role is based at Service Headquarters, Southfields Road, Kempston, MK42 7NR.

Hours of Duty

Firefighters (Control) carry out their duties 24/7 which entails an average of 42 hours work per week. A shift watch system is operated which involves some unsocial hours, as follows:

• 2 days worked 0900 to 1800 hours

• 2 nights worked 1800 to 0900 hours

• 4 rest days (known as rota days)

There is also a second shift pattern which is a day duty shift.

Initial training is completed on a 9 day fortnight, working Monday to Friday 9-5.

Holidays

The annual leave entitlement is 24 days plus Public Holidays which is taken in accordance with Service Policies.

Subject to exigencies of the Service you shall be entitled to a day’s leave on the eight statutory public holidays. An employee who is required to work on Public Holidays shall be paid at double time for those hours and be granted a day’s leave in lieu. After five years’ service, three additional days are granted as long service leave.

Other leave: Special leave arrangements exist covering a range of circumstances.


Pension

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, this is funded by contributions both from you and the Fire Authority.

Transfer of contributions from previous employment is possible under certain circumstances. You will receive an explanatory booklet if appointed.

Sickness

You are entitled to receive pay when on sick leave, subject to national conditions.

Probation

From the date of your appointment you will serve a probationary period of 12 months. Within this time you will undertake a development programme which has assessments on a four monthly basis.

Training and Development

Effective and regular training will be essential for the proper performance of your duties. Some training courses that you will undertake are compulsory and training venues may be outside Bedfordshire areas.

A wide range of other development opportunities exist, including assistance with study for promotion and sponsorship for qualifications that are relevant to your work.

External Employment

A Firefighter (Control) must not hold any other office or employment for gain or hire, or carry on any trade or business, without the prior approval of the Chief Fire Officer. In addition, Fire and Rescue Service employees are not permitted to be volunteer members of the reserved armed forces, including the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve or Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Uniform and Personal Appearance

Uniform is provided and must be worn whilst you are on duty in accordance with Service Policies and Procedures.


Whilst on Duty Firefighters (Control) are expected to maintain personal appearance, hygiene and cleanliness of uniform in keeping with a disciplined service.

Salary

Salary payments are made directly to your bank account on a monthly basis.

The Fire Service rates of pay for Firefighters (Control) as at 1st July 2017 are as follows:

FIREFIGHTER (Control) (Trainee) £21,336 per year

FIREFIGHTER (Control)

(In Development) (On successful completion of foundation training)

£22,224 per year

FIREFIGHTER (Control) (Competent) (When assessed as competent)

£28,437 per year

N.B. 2018 pay award is currently pending.


Equal Opportunities

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an Equal Opportunities employer. The Service's policy is to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, marital status, race, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity.

Positive Action

We’re proud of serving Bedfordshire and of our commitment to doing all we can to ensure our workforce reflects the many different communities

we serve.

We want Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) to be made up of the same or similar proportions of the diverse people and groups in our area.

This is why we encourage particular groups to apply for jobs with us and to guide and support potential employees to achieve the qualifications

needed.

Our operational workforce has a significant under-representation of people from black and minority ethnic groups and of women. We welcome applications from all, but particularly encourage applications

from members of these groups.

If an organisation can show it has under-representation of particular groups in its workforce for employment, promotion or

training, for a minimum of at least 12 months, the Equality Act 2010 allows it to

carry out positive action to encourage applications from people in those groups.

They can be targeted, supported and encouraged to apply for jobs, promotion

and training.


The law allows us to run training courses, provide support for skills development and to lay on events such as, open days. These events

are open to all, but we target and encourage under-represented groups to take part.

Positive action is very different from positive discrimination, which gives preferential treatment to people from particular groups to ensure that

greater numbers or quotas of those people succeed. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service does not advocate or participate in such activities,

which are unlawful in the UK.

All applicants go through the same selection processes, and all employees are appointed solely on merit. Our recruitment interview panels are drawn from a diverse range of existing staff, and they’re all

trained in interview techniques including awareness of unconscious bias.

If you would like to discuss becoming a Firefighter (Control) please

contact the Recruitment Team on 01234 845005 or email

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


Locations of Fire Stations in Bedfordshire

Please see the below key which will tell you which Duty System each station operates.

Fire Stations Crewed 24/7

Bedford

Dunstable

Kempston

Luton

Stopsley

Fire Station Crewed During Daytimes

Leighton Buzzard

Fire Stations Crewed by On-call (RDS) Firefighters

Ampthill

Bedford

Biggleswade

Harrold

Kempston

Leighton Buzzard

Potton

Sandy

Shefford

Toddington

Woburn


Frequently Asked Recruitment Questions

If my faith requires me to fast, can I still be a Firefighter (Control)?

Yes, you can still fast, but it is important that all members of the Service are able to perform their core role whilst on duty.

It is important to recognise that dehydration can affect a person very quickly. An individual may believe they are perfectly fine but very quickly succumb to the adverse effects of dehydration.

We encourage staff who choose to fast to discuss it with their line manager. Employees have a responsibility for being fit for duty and, where fasting has affected a member of staff adversely, they must tell their manager immediately.

Do you have quotas for women and ethnic minority recruits?

No, we don’t have such quotas, but we encourage and welcome applications from these groups because they’re under-represented within our workforce. However, all applicants are assessed purely on merit.

I have a disability. Can I still apply?

The disability provisions of the Equality Act 2010 apply to Firefighters. This means anyone who considers themselves to have a disability can apply to join the Fire and Rescue Service. A disability is defined by the Act as:

Anyone who has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

You will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process and to give details of the type of adjustments you may require in order to take part in the selection process and to fulfil the role of a Firefighter should you be successful. Each case will be considered on an individual basis and, if reasonable adjustments can be made to enable you to take part in the selection process and fulfil the role of a Firefighter, then your application will be progressed.


I am dyslexic. Will I be able to cope with the assessment tests?

Dyslexia is considered to be a disability and you will be asked if you have a disability as part of the recruitment process. Should you answer ‘yes’ we can make reasonable adjustments for you at the relevant stages of the selection process. We normally ask for a report to confirm the type and extent of your dyslexia which is sent to our Occupational Health Practitioner for review. They then use this information to decide if a reasonable adjustment can be made – for example, you may be given extra time to complete an online test.

Would a criminal record prevent me from applying?

Not necessarily. Please review our Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 guidance document for further information. We will undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as part of the pre-employment clearances stage. Therefore please be honest on your application and advise us of any convictions, fines, etc that you have or have had in the past as some still appear on your DBS check even though they are spent. DBS fees will be incurred by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Would a driving offence prevent me from applying?

Not necessarily. Please review our Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 guidance document for further information. We will undertake a Driving Licence check from the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as part of the pre-employment clearances stage. Therefore please be honest on your application and advise us of any driving convictions, fines, etc that you have or have had in the past as some still appear even though they are spent. Fees for this check will be incurred by the Fire and Rescue Service.


What qualifications do I need to apply?

To become a Firefighter (Control) you will need ‘GCSE’ Grade C or equivalent in English, Maths and Science plus one other subject. Please provide full details of all your qualifications in your application form as we do review your application for equivalent qualifications. During the recruitment process you will be asked to provide proof of these qualifications and grades. Initially this will be on application to attach copies of your certificates. Failure to produce your certification may prevent your application from progressing further.

How long does the recruitment process take?

As you can imagine, we get a lot of people who are interested in joining Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. It can take approximately 3 months for applicants to complete the whole process through to formal offer of employment.

What are different coloured ‘watches’?

Operational personnel at Service Control are split into four rota groups known as ‘watches’ – White, Red, Blue and Green. This is so we can provide a continual service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Can I have a second job?

We have a Service policy on secondary employment. Employees can’t have a second job without first obtaining written approval from us.


Is the role for you?

Working as a Firefighter (Control) is both rewarding and challenging. The questions below will help you to decide whether you are likely to enjoy working as a Firefighter (Control).

Please read through each question carefully and tick Yes or No in the box provided.

Yes No Are you someone that others see as dependable?

Are you prepared to work days, nights, evenings, weekends and Public Holidays?

Are you genuinely interested in people?

Can you work in an environment where you will work with the same four or five people every day, and you will not see many other people?

Can you work in an environment where most of your contact with colleagues outside of Fire Control will be by telephone only?

Are you able to manage your energy levels in prolonged and challenging situations?

Can you work in an environment where sometimes you will be extremely busy, but some shifts may be fairly quiet?

Are you prepared to work within a disciplined uniform service and take orders from a higher ranking officer?

Are you prepared to work to strict uniform guidelines?

Can you take responsibility for representing the Service when you are at work and when you are not?

Do you want to work as part of a close-knit team?

Can you get on with people from different backgrounds and cultures?

Do you have the sensitivity to deal with members of the public when they are distressed, confused or being obstructive?

Are you able to communicate important information to children and/or adults?

Can you work under pressure?

Can you stay focused in a busy environment?

Are you committed to always maintaining and developing your skills?

Are you able to convey detailed information clearly both verbally and in a typed format?

Are you committed, enthusiastic and prepared to see situations through to their conclusion?


If you have answered No to any of the above questions, we would encourage you to think seriously about whether this is the role for you.

If you have ticked Yes to all of the above, please complete our application form.

Firefighter (Control) - Selection Information · 2018-08-02 · Firefighter (Control) but you are...

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