Live Life Team
If you have considered becoming a fire fighter, you need to remember that they have a minimum age requirement of 18 before you can start any form of training. However, they will accept applications from 17 year olds on the understanding that the recruitment process lasts until you turn 18.
Being a fire fighter is both physically and mentally demanding, and you will have to see and deal with many situations that are quite gruesome, as you will be present at not only fires but road traffic accidents and other situations where people have been seriously injured and are trapped in vehicles and structures. On the flip side it is very rewarding and is a truly worthwhile career.
There are a range of psychological tests and fitness/medical tests that you need to take. There is no point applying if you know you don’t meet some of the medical standards. Information can be found on their website. There is no minimum or maximum height standards, but be prepared for the training course as it lasts for 14 weeks and is fairly intensive.
You need to be calm under pressure and prepared to put yourself in situations which contain an element of controlled risk in coming to the aid of others. You need to be free of chest conditions that could be exacerbated by smoke, such as asthma. The hours are unsociable and involve shift work at the station and call out work from home.
