If there are vacancies, you will be interviewed locally, and you will then be required to attend an assessment day (normally on a Saturday) at our Bowthorpe Training Centre.  The assessment days are held 3 or 4 times per year.

During the day, you will carry out:
     • A dictation test.
     • A numerical test.
     • Ladder climb. 
     • Claustrophobia test 
        (wearing a BA mask).

If you pass the tests, you will go forward to the next stage of the recruitment process, provided that there is a current vacancy on the station.

Sometimes more than one candidate from each station will attend the assessment day even though there is only one vacancy. If more than one candidate passes the tests, the decision with regard to which candidate will be recruited at that time will be taken by the Area Commander or his representative.

The next stage of the process for candidates is to undergo a medical examination and fitness test with the Occupational Health Physician. At the same time, references will be taken up. One referee must always be the candidate's current employer. This is to ensure that the employer agrees with the capacity for cover, which the candidate has advised.

Once the candidate has passed the medical and satisfactory references are obtained, a contract is offered. The candidate should then attend drill nights for appropriate training for ideally 8 weeks, prior to attending the Retained Induction Course, again at Bowthorpe Training Centre.

The Retained Induction Course is of 5 days duration. The Recruit will not be permitted to ride an appliance or be paid for any attendance to the station in response to emergency calls until he/she has qualified on the Induction Course and have completed at least one month of service.

Probation assessments will take place at the Recruit's home station on completion of 6, 12, 18 and 21 months' service.

Recruits will be required to undergo:
   • A two week initial Breathing Apparatus Operator's Course during the first two years of service, or at such other time as may be determined.
   • A driving course arranged locally leading to an examination for an LGV licence and enrolment as a Brigade driver.

Attendance of these courses will attract payment of the loss of remunerative time based on a minimum payment equal to that of a Wholetime Firefighter of similar rank and service.

It is a requirement of appointment that Retained Firefighters qualify as a Breathing Apparatus wearer. If they do not qualify or if for any reason are removed from the list of qualified BA wearers they will be discharged from the service.